Newly Discovered Ancient Roman Beachfront Villa May Have Been Home to Historic Figure Pliny the Elder

The ruins of a 2,000-year-old beachfront property discovered in the coastal town of Bacoli, south of Naples, may have been where historic Roman figure Pliny the Elder once resided.

The remains of the clifftop premises were discovered during a construction project for a children’s playground and recreation area, Knewz.com has learned.

The remains of the luxurious villa were discovered in Bacoli, which in the first century was the port city of Misenum, where Pliny the Elder commanded a Roman naval fleet. By: Italian Ministry of Culture

The extraordinary discovery revealed a vast complex that included 10 large rooms, in various stages of construction with a distinctive form of Roman brickwork known as cubilia, which uses diamond-shaped bricks, which were about 27 inches below ground.

Experts say that the villa may have been more than 300 feet long. The Superintendency of Archaeology, Fine Arts, and Landscape for the Naples Metropolitan Area (SABAP) said the latest discovery was of “exceptional significance.”

Experts believe the villa was built in the first century C.E. at the site of the Roman port of Misneum. It was there that a fleet of ships controlled the Tyrrhenian Sea for four centuries.

Exploration of the site revealed the structure running down to a crumbling stone dock, now located about 13 feet below sea level. By: Italian Ministry of Culture

Exploration of the site revealed the structure running down to a crumbling stone dock, now located about 13 feet below sea level.

Despite the partially flooded remains, Simona Formola, lead archaeologist at Naples’ art heritage told CNN, “It is likely that the majestic villa had a 360-degree view of the gulf of Naples for strategic military purposes,” making it the perfect home for a naval officer like Pliny.

Gaius Plinius Secundus, better known as Pliny the Elder, was born in 23 or 24 C.E. In addition to being a naval commander he was also a philosopher and army commander during the Roman Empire. He oversaw the naval fleet at the time of his death. He would have had a perfect view of Mount Vesuvius from the home. It is known that he sailed across to Vesuvius when it erupted in 79 C.E. and died trying to save people.

Gaius Plinius Secundus, better known as Pliny the Elder, was born in 23 or 24 C.E. He died in 79 C.E. rescuing people from the Mount Vesuvius eruption. By: MEGA

Archaeologists are continuing to work on the project, hoping to find more information on both the villa and additional insights into life during the Roman Empire. “The discovery is even more exceptional given that we know very little (about) the port of Misenum,” Formola said.

The site is slated to open to the public in the coming weeks as an open-air museum. “The ruins of the Roman villa will be cleaned and cordoned-off with wooden fences,” said Bacoli’s Mayor Josi Gerardo Della Ragione in a statement. “They will be the core of this beautiful space which… our citizens and visitors will get to admire.”