Archaeologists in Fano, Italy, have unearthed the remains of a 2,000-year-old Roman basilica during redevelopment work on Piazza Andrea Costa. The rectangular structure, bordered by eight columns on the long side and four on the shorter sides, matches the precise measurements and layout described by the ancient Roman architect Vitruvius in Book V of his treatise *De Architectura*. This is the first time a physical building has been attributed to Vitruvius, whose writings have long been studied but whose structures had never before been found.
The discovery is significant because Vitruvius is considered the father of architecture, and his *De Architectura* is the only surviving architectural text from Classical Antiquity, influencing Renaissance masters like Leonardo da Vinci, who based his Vitruvian Man on Vitruvius's proportions. The find not only provides tangible evidence of Vitruvius's work but also reshapes the historical narrative of Fano, with the Italian Cultural Ministry pursuing UNESCO protection for the site. It offers a concrete link between ancient texts and the built environment, deepening our understanding of Roman engineering and design.