Preserved since the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD, an Ancient Roman villa, located below Positano’s church of Santa Maria dell’Assunta, has recently opened to the public. Following two excavation initiatives, taking place between 2003 – 2006 and 2015 – 2016, the villa is now accessible to visitors who can descend to ten metres below the church and make their way through what was once the summer home of an elite Roman family.
References: Marco Merola, “A spectacular villa under Positano sees the light.” Available at https://www.archaeology.org/issues/226-1609/features/4758-romans-on-the-bay-of-naples
“The Roman Villa in Positano: An Archaeological Wonder at the Heart of the Amalfi Coast.” Available at http://www.italianways.com/villa-romana-in-positano-an-archaeological-wonder-at-the-heart-of-the-amalfi-coast/
“Positano’s Roman Villa.” Available at http://sirenusejournal.com/en/positano/positanos-roman-villa
Planet Pompeii Blog. Available at https://www.planetpompeii.com/en/blog/the-leisure-of-positano-reopens-the-villa-romana-of-the-amalfi-coast-with-its-wonderful-frescoes.html
Images: Images 1-3 and 5, © Roberto Salomone.
Image 4, © L’Espresso.
Posted by Samantha Hughes-Johnson.