Submerged Roman-era villa emerges from Lake Fusaro, stuns archaeologists
Josi Gerardo Della Ragione, mayor of Bacoli, recently announced on social media that walls had been discovered in Lake Fusaro near Naples, Italy.
The Phlegraean Fields sits within a collapsed caldera, namely a volcanic area formed by several volcanic edifices, which includes the Solfatara volcano, well known for its fumaroles (vents from which hot volcanic gases and vapours are emitted), reported Heritage Daily.
"They were under the water! Roman era walls and rooms discovered in Lake Fusaro. Maybe they belonged to a lavish mansion," said Josi Gerardo Della Ragione.
"The Roman environments will be the subject of further studies by the Sopritendenza. They are located not too far from the Grotte dell'Acqua and make the presence of a luxurious villa with thermal environments. Bacoli continues to be full of wonders, promoting cultural tourist tours unique in the world," added Ragione.
The city of Naples in the south of Italy, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, was originally Greek. It even traces its origins back to the siren that attempted to lure Odysseus in Homer's The Odyssey.
With a history so old, it's mythological, most familiar with Naples would remember the ancient town is situated on the volcanically active and eruptive Phlegraean fields.
Most famously, the supervolcano Vesuvius obliterated Pompei, though some Neapolitans would phrase it differently: the volcano brought the city eternal life. However, Vesuvius is only one major outlet in a field of volcanic activity, and their belief might have been proven right.
In the north of the city, Lake Fusaro has been experiencing geological shifts because of the active and volatile activity happening beneath the ground. Locals refer to it as one of the five lakes on Campi Flegrei as an inferno, as in hell, a swamp of sulfuric gases.
The Earth's surface has been rising due to the flow of magma or hydrothermal fluids, a phenomenon known as bradyseism.
When the first colonies settled in the seventh century BCE, the Greeks named the area 'the burning fields" or Campi Flegrei. They found themselves not just on one volcano but a region.
In the age of the Roman Empire, the Roman elite built mansions, or villas, around Lake Fusaro because of its hot springs and favorable weather. And it appears due to the same phenomenon that they sunk only to rise again due to an unusual amount of seismic activity.
Since 2005, the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology has reported a remarkable rapid incline of up to 4.5 feet in landmass. In short, the seabed lifts, and the shoreline recedes, damaging ports.
The good news is that a Roman villa has surfaced. As to what the function of the complex might be, the ancient Roman town of Bacoli used to be a popular resort, as Naples is known for its caves along the shore, where Romans would relax and vacation, Anatolian Archaeology explains.
Not on Lake Fusaro. That camp was known for its 'hedonistic lifestyle," described by the poet Sextus Propertius as 'a vortex of luxury and harbor of vice.'
From aerial photographs, Josi Gerardo Della Ragione believed they spotted a complex with Roman baths. In the 18th century, the Lake saw a resurgence in royal interest as the hunting and fishing grounds for the Bourbon nobility.
Now, the Superintendence of Archaeology, Fine Arts, and Landscape of Naples will continue the investigation into this exciting new piece of history, which may have kinky stories to tell.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New York Times
21 hours ago
- New York Times
To Discover Real Roman Food, Head to the Neighborhoods
During a recent dinner at a modern Roman trattoria way out in the city sticks, I bonded with strangers at the next table, discovered a new wine, had a pasta epiphany — and smiled at the bill: just over $100 for two, vino included. I love Rome as much as the next Bernini-besotted visitor. But to find the platonic ideal of pasta Amatriciana or trippa alla Romana, I had to leave behind the Centro Storico's cobblestoned piazzas, where faux-Felliniesque tourist mills dish out reheated carbonara to throngs. Instead, my partner and I spent our two weeks in Rome taking the metro and buses to neighborhoods where affordable rents allow creative young chefs to nurture their talents — and their customers' appetites — and where a convivial spirit still thrives. The vibes often recalled Brooklyn or Berlin. But the cooking was rooted in the Roman vernacular, with its guanciale-powered pastas, seasonal vegetables and quinto quarto (a.k.a. offal). 'Young local chefs haven't abandoned Roman tradition,' said Marco Bolasco, author of an indispensable new restaurant guide, 'Roma Food Tour.' 'But they're reinterpreting the city's cuisine with incredible ingredients from the surrounding countryside.' And because of the cost factor, he added, the action was all happening away from the city center. The six places below serve up the delicious proof — but make sure to book in advance. Centocelle I'm still daydreaming about the ravioli at Menabò Vino e Cucina, silky pouches filled with coratella (lamb innards) topped with a green shock of favas, peas and asparagus and pushed into the stratosphere by a haunting sauce of 'smoked milk.' That pasta alone was worth a 40-minute metro trek east of the city center to the formerly working class neighborhood of Centocelle. The Camponeschi brothers (Paolo cooks; Daniele is the wine curator and front of the house) opened Menabò seven years ago — attracted, Daniele explains, by Centocelle's multicultural vibe and community spirit. At their next-gen neighborhood trattoria, bright blue walls and shelves of wine bottles set the scene for Paolo's big brawny flavors with interesting twists. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Eater
4 days ago
- Eater
Visit Newcomer Peregrine for Bengali Chicken, Stay for the Red Bull Dessert
is an editor of Eater's South region, covering Atlanta, Nashville, Miami, New Orleans, and the Carolinas. She has been writing about the food scene in the Carolinas and Savannah for 12 years. Erin has resided in Charleston, South Carolina, for the past 20 years. Welcome to the first installment of Scene Report in the Carolinas, a new column in which Eater captures the vibe of a notable North or South Carolina restaurants at a specific moment in time. To describe Raleigh newcomer Peregrine as 'Southeast Asian' cuisine is too narrow, and to say 'global' is a bit broad (really, can any one restaurant represent the entire world?). Peregrine is chef Saif Rahman's life on a menu. He was born in Bangladesh, lived in Queens, married a woman from Mexico, and now lives in North Carolina. All of these cultures combine to make Peregrine, along with a handsome setting, thanks to co-owner Patrick Shanahan. The vibe: Peregrine is located in the new mixed-use development the Exchange, but the sleek interiors and verdant surroundings do a good job of erasing the memory of a 20-minute Uber from downtown Raleigh, past several strip malls, and wondering if the driver is lost. (Note: This writer worked in Raleigh in the early aughts and doesn't remember anywhere being referred to as 'Midtown.') Inside are grand arches, Roman clay walls, Moroccan lime plaster, large pots of greenery, and recessed lighting to set the scene (Shanahan is a filmmaker after all). The soundtrack is bouncy with house and disco music. The other diners are mostly couples on a date night and young professional friends out for a fancy evening. Chicken skins and bubbles. Tim Waldron What to drink: The Tokyo Highball is a refreshing start to the evening with a punch of lemon and ginger to even out the burn from the Japanese whisky. The sommelier/maitre d', Amy Ostrout, makes great recommendations. Follow whatever she tells you. The Nero d'Avola sparkling rosé ($16) is an artful pairing with the berbere-seasoned chicken skins with chicken fat aioli ($15). On the menu: If you've been following Peregrine, you've probably seen the Bengali wedding chicken ($42) all over Instagram with its menacing claw hanging off the plate — order it. If you're squeamish, ask your date to break down the half chicken, and then have a good think about where your meat really comes from. The 'yummy sauce' (their words, not ours) is indeed 'yummy' with soft notes of baking spices and richness that elevate the humble bird. The tallow-roasted carrots ($15) are a vegetarian's nightmare because the humble root vegetable is confited in beef fat. The salsa matcha (with chapulines) topping the dish is an homage to Rahman's wife's Mexican heritage. This bite will have you question: Is this really a carrot? Don't skip dessert. Pastry chef Khoi Trong Ha puts out some really fun sweets, including a truffle inspired by the gas station Sheetz — spoiler alert, it's filled with Red Bull. Go here for: An unexpected meal in an unexpected place, even if you have to tell your Uber driver, 'Yes, I'm sure this is where I'm supposed to be going.'
National Geographic
4 days ago
- National Geographic
Where to travel in September
This article was adapted from National Geographic Traveller (UK). Is there a better month to feel a surge of travel spirit than September? As the summer holiday crush eases, Europe gets back to business and harvest time brings a bevy of the continent's stellar produce to restaurant tables, from young wines to olives, Greek figs, British apples, Spanish almonds and so much more. The change of season signals new beginnings and new adventures — perhaps a trip where you can try something to improve your skills or a hobby, or just to indulge some creative curiosity. From mindfulness courses to cookery classes, more purposeful travel can resume once the summer beach season is over. Further afield, there are some stellar wildlife spectacles to see, from the big game that gather around dry-season watering holes in Africa to turtle spotting in Costa Rica, or watching humpback whales, blue whales and pods of orcas patrolling for sea lions along California's coast. Here's our pick of destinations for travel in September. 1. Germany Despite its title, Oktoberfest actually starts in September. Munich's mighty festival of beer usually gets off to a frothy start in the middle of the month (this year it runs from 20 September to 5 October), with a 1,000-participant folksy parade flying the colours of local landlords, breweries and ale houses. This is followed by the Hunter's Parade, another riot of traditional Bavarian costume with a 12-gun salute to declare the bars officially open. There are 38 tents selling every conceivable iteration of German beer; most with regional food to try, too, from Alpine cheeses and North Sea oysters to hearty breakfasts, vegan eats and all manner of charcuterie and sausages. Wine lovers are also catered for, but it's worth noting that September is also grape-harvest season, and Germany's picture-perfect wine country comes alive with tastings, tours and foodie events. Responsible travel tip: It's easy to get to Munich by train. The simplest route takes just over nine hours from London, with a change in Paris. More info. Oktoberfest is one of the world's largest festivals, with over six million revellers joining the festivities every year. Photograph by Nikada, Getty Images 2. Sicily Italy's southernmost island sheds beach holiday crowds opening up for those looking for some late-season sun coupled with buzzy city breaks. The capital, Palermo, reanimates as residents return from coastal resorts, and some of the island's best harvest fare starts making its way onto restaurant tables, including fresh figs, pistachios, almonds and mushrooms. September's temperatures make a Mount Etna hike more feasible, while tickets for ferries to the volcanic Aeolian Islands become more readily available. It's also a great time to explore the island's little-known hilly backcountry. Responsible travel tip: In recent years, the medieval hilltop villages of Sicily's interior have been abandoned by youngsters seeking work on the coast and mainland. You can support these struggling rural economies and see some spectacular countryside while hiking the Via Magna Francigena. This long-distance route weaves across the middle of the island from the Tyrrhenian Sea at Palermo to the Mediterranean city of Agrigento, with a growing network of locally run hotels, hostels and homestays en route. (How chocolate went from rough to refined in one Sicilian town.) 3. Cornwall, UK September is a fine time to visit Cornwall, when sea temperatures are at their warmest, honeypot towns such as St Ives and Padstow are freed from log-jam traffic and summer crowds, and beaches are also far less busy. For two weeks every September, St Ives celebrates the arts with a festival of film screenings, art exhibitions, comedy and concerts — from folk to rock, classic to choral — as well as talks and guided walks in and around town, taking in everything from local history to megalithic tombs and Virginia Woolf's Talland House. September is also the time of Heritage Open Days (12-21 September), when landmark buildings across the country that are usually closed to the public throw open their doors for tours. There are some notable addresses in Cornwall. Responsible travel tip: Ditch the car and explore by bike. Cornwall has a growing number of coastal and rural cycle trails linking its many Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The West Kernow Way is a 143-mile looped route starting in Penzance and taking in such landmark spots as Land's End, St Michaels Mount and Lizard Point. (Where to eat the best fish and chips in Cornwall.) The dramatic coastline at St Ives, Cornwall. Photograph by James Ms, Getty Images 4. Namibia Dry season in Namibia (June to October) is a good time to spot the desert-dwelling elephants of the country's northern Damaraland, which are otherwise somewhat invisible against the vastness of purple-red inselberg hills. But as the pachyderms gather at diminishing river systems and springs, sightings are more frequent. As temperatures rise, other animals are also found congregating around drying waterholes, including giraffes, rhinos, hyenas and sometimes leopards. Thanks to warm and sunny days — when cobalt blue skies contrast with orange sand dunes — and nights that are clear, star-studded but not too chilly, travellers will also appreciate Namibia's dry season. Responsible travel tip: Take a silent safari and ditch the game-drive vehicle in favour of e-bike tours available at select lodges. Or head to Grootberg, the first lodge in Namibia to be entirely owned and run by the local community. It's a pioneer in Namibia's progressive approach to conservation. And always look up; the night sky here is among the least light-polluted in the world. (See southern Namibia in a new light—on a lake cruise.) Dry season in autumn is perfect for spotting springbok antelopes in Etosha National Park, Namibia, among other animals. Photograph by EcoPic, Getty Images 5. Slovenia It's last call for hiking in the Alps, where the walking season winds down in autumn as weather reduces mountain access. September is a spectacular month to be at altitude, being still warm, dry and sunny, while the trees form a fiery seasonal display. Slovenia's Julian Alps, at the mountain range's easterly end, are defined by jagged limestone peaks offering an ever-expanding range of waymarked hiking routes. At the heart of the mountains, 9,400ft-high Mount Triglav is Slovenia's loftiest peak, towering above the beautifully glacial lakes of Bohinj and Bled. The Juliana Hiking Trail is a recently mapped network of pathways across 168 miles of northwest Slovenia, taking in Triglav National Park and traversing some of the country's most spectacular Alpine terrain in 16 10-mile sections. Responsible travel tip: To find the most eco-minded hosts and campsites, consult Slovenian Tourism's Green Scheme listings. (The step-by-step guide to the Juliana trail in Slovenia.) To subscribe to National Geographic Traveller (UK) magazine click here. (Available in select countries only).
