Basilica di Vitruvio

The Basilica of Vitruvius at Fano connects a celebrated passage of De architectura with archaeological remains beneath Piazza Andrea Costa. In January 2026, excavations were announced as identifying the building described by the Roman architect.

Why it matters

This is the building for which Vitruvius explicitly claimed responsibility for overseeing construction. His description inspired architectural reconstructions for centuries before the discovery of remains that could be compared with the text.

What to notice

The excavations revealed substantial masonry columns with traces of black-painted plaster at their bases. Their spacing and the dimensions of the complex correspond with the written description. A perimeter wall, quadrangular bases and preparatory floor surfaces add evidence of the basilica's arrangement. These remains are distinct from the earlier archaeological contexts beneath Sant'Agostino.

Context and history

The basilica belonged to Roman Fanum Fortunae. Renaissance architects, including Palladio, explored its form through Vitruvius's words. Excavation during the redevelopment of Piazza Andrea Costa brought new evidence, with an angular column located in January 2026 supporting the identification. Questions about the aedes Augusti and the articulation of adjoining spaces remained part of the archaeological investigation.