The construction of a highway near Venice revealed ancient holy places, temples
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Construction workers working on a highway in Italy accidentally discovered the remains of an ancient shrine – prompting an archaeological investigation.
The discovery was announced by the Italian Superintendency of Archaeology, Fine Arts and Landscape in a May 19 press release.
The sanctuary was found in Ponso, a town about 45 kilometers southwest of Venice.
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Construction workers from Veneto Strade SpA were building a new road from Borgo Veneto to Carceri when they uncovered the site, which dates back to the fifth century BC.
Workers were carrying out wartime artifance operations when the first artifacts were discovered.
Archaeologists in northern Italy are investigating the remains of an ancient sanctuary uncovered during the construction of a highway near Venice. (Soprintendenza Archeologia, Belle Arti e Paesaggio for the province of Padova, Treviso and Belluno)
Finally, archaeologists found large rectangular buildings believed to be temples, including one that appears to be surrounded by pillars.
Although some texts were in Latin, many others were written in the Venetic script—an ancient language used by the Veneti people in northeastern Italy before Roman rule.
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Many of the carved stones “appear to have been re-used in the pavement structure that is still in use, while others remain in place,” officials said in a translated statement.
“The paving appears to have been built in the first century AD, according to the evidence currently being studied,” the release notes.
“As the excavation continued, new large rectangular buildings emerged that looked like temples.”
“As the excavation continued, new large rectangular buildings that appeared to be temples appeared, one of which showed the features of a surrounding temple, surrounded by a row of columns on all sides.”
Photographs from the site show ancient Venetian inscriptions, as well as partially buried columns and stone fragments believed to be part of the temple complex.
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Some writings have a “votive character,” meaning they may have served a religious purpose.
Archaeologists believe that a branch of the Adige River flooded the area sometime in ancient times.
A sanctuary discovered near Venice may provide new insight into ancient religious practices in northeastern Italy. (Soprintendenza Archeologia, Belle Arti e Paesaggio for the province of Padova, Treviso and Belluno)
Officials say early findings suggest “continued use and modification over time, rather than abandonment.”
“The site seems to have retained an important function even in Roman times, although it was presented in different ways and cultural structures than before,” the statement added.
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Researchers are busy investigating the area.
The discovery adds to a growing list of recent archaeological discoveries across Italy.
Officials said some inscriptions found at the site appear to have a religious or ancient religious purpose. (Soprintendenza Archeologia, Belle Arti e Paesaggio for the province of Padova, Treviso and Belluno)
Last year, archaeologists in Trento discovered a massive Iron Age necropolis, or “city of the dead,” buried about 3,000 years ago.
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Earlier in 2026, archaeologists discovered an ancient Roman city along the historic Appian Way, a UNESCO world heritage site.
