Ancient Roman Villa Rises from Lake Fusaro!

A fascinating archaeological discovery has emerged in Italy, where the remains of a luxurious Roman villa have resurfaced from the waters of Lake Fusaro, near Naples. This remarkable event is the result of bradyseism, a geological phenomenon caused by the movement of magma or hydrothermal fluids beneath the Earth's surface.

The Science Behind the Discovery

Lake Fusaro, located in the comune of Bacoli in the province of Naples, sits within a geologically volatile region. It forms part of the Phlegraean Fields, a vast volcanic caldera known for its fumaroles and volcanic formations, including the Solfatara crater. For centuries, bradyseism has shaped this landscape, causing the ground to rise and fall due to subterranean magma activity. According to the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology, the land in this area has risen by approximately 138 centimetres since 2005, with a significant 20-centimetre increase recorded in 2024 alone.

This rapid uplift has led to the retreat of the shoreline and the elevation of the lakebed, affecting local ports and marinas. However, it has also revealed something extraordinary—the foundations of an ancient Roman villa, previously hidden beneath the lake’s surface. Identified through aerial photography, the site is now under investigation by the Superintendence of Archaeology, Fine Arts, and Landscape of Naples.

Photo Credit: Josi Gerardo Della Ragione

A Glimpse into the Roman Past

The Mayor of Bacoli, Josi Gerardo Della Ragione, emphasised the importance of this discovery: “They were under the water! Walls and rooms from the Roman era have been discovered in Lake Fusaro. They probably belonged to a luxurious mansion.” He also speculated that the villa likely featured thermal baths, a hallmark of elite Roman residences.

The region’s history stretches back to the 8th century BCE when Greek settlers first arrived. Due to its volcanic activity, they named the area “Campi Ardenti” or “Campi Flegrei” (the Burning Fields), inspired by its steaming craters and ever-changing landscape.

A Rich Roman Legacy

Lake Fusaro is not the only place in the area with significant Roman heritage. Nearby, the partially submerged ruins of Baiae remain—a once-glamorous Roman resort town that flourished during the late Republic and early Empire. Baiae was a playground for the Roman elite, including emperors and aristocrats, renowned for its opulent villas and indulgent lifestyle. The poet Sextus Propertius famously described it as a “vortex of luxury” and a “harbour of vice.”

Much like the newly revealed villa, Baiae also experienced bradyseism in ancient times—though in the opposite direction. As the land gradually sank, parts of the town disappeared beneath the Gulf of Naples. Today, its underwater ruins, complete with mosaics and statues, remain a major attraction for divers and historians alike.

Volcanic Activity Unveiling the Past

Just a short distance from Bacoli lie the famous ruins of Pompeii and Herculaneum, two cities catastrophically buried by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 CE. While those sites were preserved under layers of volcanic ash and pumice, the discovery at Lake Fusaro highlights how volcanic activity can also uncover lost history.

As the landscape of the Phlegraean Fields continues to shift, who knows what other hidden treasures might resurface in the future?