The discovery of a 2000-year-old beach house during construction work

Naples, Italy, CNN — A project to create a playground and recreational area in southern Naples, which lasted three years, unexpectedly led to the discovery of the ruins of a beach house located on a cliff and dating back 2,000 years. This magnificent villa, built in the first century, is situated at a height that offers a panoramic view of the islands of Ischia and Procida, and is now partially submerged by the sea. Experts suggest that it could have been a luxurious estate.Pliny the Elder, a renowned writer, naturalist, and commander of the Roman fleet, who was based in this area.

The discovery made last week in the coastal town of Bacoli included powerful stone walls of a vast house consisting of ten spacious rooms, with tiled floors and intricate terraces that have been preserved in perfect condition. In the first century, this villa was within the Roman port of Misenum, which for four centuries was controlled by a fleet of 70 ships guarding the Tyrrhenian Sea — its security was crucial for maintaining the western flank of the Roman Empire.

According to archaeologists, the house that may have belonged toPliny the ElderIt was used not only for observation but also for receiving guests and organizing celebrations. "Most likely, the majestic villa had a panoramic view of the Bay of Naples, which could have been relevant for strategic purposes," said Simona Formola, the leading archaeologist for cultural heritage in Naples, in an interview with CNN. "We believe that further excavations may reveal more rooms and even frescoes — valuable finds may also emerge."

Scientists were surprised by the complex style of the walls made of tuff blocks arranged in a grid at a depth of about 70 centimeters. The villa leads to a small dilapidated pier, which is currently about four meters below sea level. The flooding of this part of the villa was made possible by a phenomenon known asnegative bradyseismThis describes the gradual submergence of land into the sea in regions prone to frequent volcanic activity. This area is located on the edge of a "caldera" — a depression of an extinct volcano shaped like a crescent. Excavations will continue in the coming months, and authorities hope to uncover not only details about the beach villa itself but also gain a more complete understanding of the life and architecture of Misenum, which was one of the largest colonies of the Roman Empire. "This discovery is particularly interesting, considering that we have very little information about the port of Misenum," Formola added.

Archaeologists were amazed by the exquisite design of the walls made of limestone blocks, which the locals called "tuff." The villaPlinyIt also likely served as a place for relaxation and meetings.

Bacoli is located in the so-called "Phlegraean Fields," which are abundant in natural geysers and small active craters. This region still experiences frequent earthquakes. Ancient people considered this place to be the entrance to the underworld and called it the "Mouth of Hell" due to its smoking craters and sulfurous vapors. There is a possibility thatPliny the ElderI could have witnessed the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD right from my villa. It is known that he died while saving people fleeing from the disaster.

Although the archaeologists were quite surprised by their discovery, local legend had long spoken of underground treasures in the area. On the beach adjacent to the recently uncovered walls of the villa, there was a large brick ruin known to the locals as the "talking wall," which they believed proved the existence of a large dwelling. Now, this piece of land will become an open museum, set to open in the coming weeks. "The ruins of the Roman villa will be cleaned and surrounded by wooden fences," said the mayor of Bacoli, Josi Gerardo Della Rajone. "They will become the centerpiece of this beautiful space that our residents and visitors will be able to appreciate."