Forum of ancient Roman city Altino, dismantled for Venice, unearthed

Archaeological excavations in Italy's Altino Archaeological Park have revealed the first monumental structures of the forum in the ancient Roman city. Altino was a prosperous commercial hub that was eventually abandoned, with its inhabitants founding Venice.

The ongoing work, which began in October 2025, has unearthed a portion of the city's monumental center. Discoveries include commercial spaces known as 'tabernae,' the walls of the 'cávea' (seating area) of the main theater, and a segment of the Via Annia, a significant Roman road from the 2nd century BC that connected Padua to Aquileia.

These findings emerged from a 26-hectare sector, representing one-third of the buried city, which had not been systematically excavated before. Previous knowledge of the city's layout came from non-invasive aerial geophysical surveys conducted two decades ago. Historically, Altino was one of northern Italy's wealthiest urban centers until successive barbarian invasions between the 5th and 7th centuries forced the population to seek refuge in the lagoon islands, leading to the establishment of Venice.

Evidence from the 602 square meters investigated so far indicates that the Roman city's decline and subsequent use as a quarry for Venice's construction are detailed in a statement from the Ministry of Culture. Marianna Bressan, director of the National Archaeological Museums of Venice, explained that the findings demonstrate a "surgical spoliation" of the Roman forum's public buildings during the medieval period. Inhabitants dismantled Altino's structures, transporting stones, bricks, and marble to the lagoon for reuse in building early Venetian palaces.

Massimo Osanna, Director General of Museums of Italy, highlighted that this campaign marks a new phase of study at the site. He emphasized that scientific knowledge is the primary tool for safeguarding heritage. The fieldwork, a collaboration with the University of Padua, concluded its first phase with an open day, allowing the public to view the remains before they are moved for laboratory analysis.