Archaeologists in Fano, Marche, Italy, have unearthed the Basilica of Vitruvius, a structure at Fanum Fortunae completed in 19 BC and the only known building attributed to the ancient Roman architect Vitruvius.

The basilica features a rectangular layout with a long side of 10 columns and a short side of four, with the top-right corner column discovered to confirm the alignment.

Vitruvius, a 1st century BCE author of De architectura, laid out classical architectural proportions that this find now helps illuminate through tangible evidence.

Fano Mayor Luca Serfilippi announced the discovery and outlined plans for expanded excavations, a technical committee, and collaborative work with the Superintendency, the Marche Region, and the Ministry to valorize the finds.

Scholars insist the milestone will influence history books and future research, anticipating extensive documentation and study in the coming years.

The find elevates Fano’s status in classical archaeology, highlighting Augustan-era significance and potential tourism and conservation needs, with an estimated one million euros required to continue excavation and protect the site.

Officials including the mayor and Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli emphasized the historical significance and long-term cultural impact of the discovery.

Giuli compared the discovery to Tutankhamun’s tomb, calling it the Tutankhamun of the 21st century and underscoring its importance for archaeology, architecture, and Fano.

Giuli described the find as sensational and said future generations will discuss it, highlighting its enduring importance.

Work under Andrea Costa Square, funded by Italy’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan, will continue to verify context and plan conservation, musealization, and strategies to integrate the asset into public memory and European architectural history.

The discovery is positioned as transforming not only local heritage but also broader European architectural theory, reconfiguring the historical topography of Fano and the Marche region.

Earlier excavations in 2022 along Via Vitruvio revealed monumental walls and high-quality marbles suggesting a high-status public district, reinforcing the site's interpretation.