The construction of a children's playground near Naples has led to the revelation of the ruins of a 2,000-year-old clifftop beach house.
Dating back to the first century, this panoramic mansion, partly submerged by the sea, is believed to have been the opulent residence of Pliny the Elder, a renowned Roman author, naturalist, and naval fleet commander.
Archaeologists speculate that deeper layers might reveal additional rooms and frescoes, shedding light on the life of Misenum, a crucial Roman colony.
Unearthed in Bacoli, the coastal town, the villa showcases thick stone walls, 10 large rooms with floors and tiled walls, and intact outdoor terraces.
The elaborate walls, constructed with diamond-shaped tufa blocks, surprised authorities.
Located within the Roman port at Misenum, the villa would have offered a 360-degree strategic view of the Gulf of Naples.
Ongoing digs aim to uncover more about the beach villa and Misenum's broader structure.
The villa's descent into the sea is attributed to "negative bradyseism," a phenomenon in volcanic areas.
known for geysers and active craters, will convert the site into an open-air museum, preserving the historical treasure for visitors and locals alike.
Pliny's villa likely served as both a lookout point and a leisure retreat, with a private dock for welcoming guests. Bacoli, part of the Phlegraean Fields,