They think they’ve found the legendary chapel of Vitruvius, the genius who inspired da Vinci

the so-called Vitruvian Churchnamed after the architect who built it, in the middle of the first century BC, may have finally been found, according to Italian archaeological authorities.

Remains of an ancient public building, belonging to that Roman period, were identified during construction at Fanoa coastal city located in the province Pizarro and Urbino(Marche region, in central Italy), coincidentally in the same area where Vitruvius was martyred in his famous church Thesis “Architecture”.

Officials from the Supervision Authority for Monuments, Fine Arts and Landscapes of Ancona Pesaro in Urbino and the Carabineros of the Heritage Protection Nucleus “took drone flights over Marble rich siteThe ANSA news agency reported on Saturday.

Due to the specific location, Structure classificationand the unmistakable richness of the pavement and the marble coverings, we believe it was indeed an important Roman building, from the time of Emperor Augustus, who reigned from 27 BC to 14 AD.” Ilaria Venanzoneone of the official archaeologists of the investigation, from the Ministry of Cultural Assets and Activities.

“It cannot be ruled out It could be specifically the “Basilica of Vitruvio”. “We can only wait for the results of the deep excavations and analysis of the complex,” the Italian official added.

Marcus Vitruvius Pollio He was a Roman architect, writer, engineer and writer from the first century BC. Jim is an author The famous treatise “De Architectura” (On Architecture), a definitive guide for Roman architects.

Little is known of his life, except what can now be inferred from his archaeological writings.

Although he nowhere identifies the emperor to whom he dedicated his work, it is likely that the former refers to Augustus and that the treatise was She got pregnant after 27 BC. Since Vitruvius describes himself as an “old man”, it can be inferred that he was also active during the reign of Emperor Julius Caesar. Vitruvius himself speaks of “a basilica built by him at Phanume”. (now Fano).

Vitruvio was born in the eighties BC and died in 15 BC leaving as an inheritance “De Architectura”, who laid the historical foundations of classical architecture.

Vitruvian Man, famous drawing by Leonardo da Vinci, based on the proportions of the male body described by the ancient Roman architect in his treatise. In “De Architectura”, Vitruvio also tells that he built a “church in Fano”, a city washed by the Adriatic Sea, but the work was never found, despite countless attempts to find evidence.

Although Catholicism has applied it, over the centuries, as a “religious building”, the term “basilica” dates back to ancient Greece and meant a large covered space intended for holding assemblies, It is derived from “BasilikosTo the king or to the state.