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Excavation under the old fish market of Oderzo revealed polychrome mosaics, preserved foundations, and rare traces of Christian presence in northeastern Italy.
A rare archaeological discovery drew attention in northeastern Italy.
A 1,600-year-old church was found under the old fish market of Oderzo, a city located in the Veneto region.
The excavation began at the end of 2025, before the construction of a new residential development.
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Right from the initial work, archaeologists identified significant signs of an ancient Christian occupation.
According to Galileu magazine and Finestre sull’Arte, the find marks the oldest recognized Christian worship in the city.
Excavation reveals mosaics and ancient foundations
The discovery includes about 30 square meters of polychrome mosaic flooring.
These mosaics were dated between the end of the 4th century and the beginning of the 5th century.
The foundations of the perimeter walls of the ancient church were also found.
The site had already shown archaeological indications before the current excavation.
Tombs and mosaics found in the region indicated that the area could hold ancient structures.
Even outside the ancient walls of the Roman city of Opitergium, the land revealed a historical heritage of great relevance.
What the 1,600-year-old church was like
According to archaeologists, the church had a rectangular shape.
The construction was divided into three naves, one central and two lateral.
The central nave would be intended for the faithful.
The north and south naves completed the internal organization of the religious building.
Among the identified parts, the central and south naves were the most preserved.
Therefore, specialists will be able to better understand the original structure of the ancient church.
The construction used bricks, mortar, and ancient techniques
The structure was made with bricks and mortar.
According to researchers, this technique reproduced technologies associated with the ancient Venetians.
These peoples inhabited the region about a thousand years before the church was built.
According to Galileu magazine, the Venetians arrived in the region in the 10th century BC.
The local occupation gained more strength after the Roman domination, around the 2nd century BC.
Oderzo was once an important city in the Roman period
The ancient Oderzo was known as Opitergium during the Roman domination.
Thanks to its strategic position on trade routes, the city achieved great regional relevance.
It is estimated that in the 2nd century AD, Opitergium gathered around 50,000 inhabitants.
This growth was driven by trade and the Roman presence in the region.
Subsequently, prosperity declined with the fall of the Roman Empire.
After that, the region was affected by invasions from Visigoths, Huns, and Ostrogoths.
Even with later attempts at recovery, the city never returned to the same level.
Ancient graves were also found
During the work, archaeologists also located four graves.
Three of them housed two individuals each.
None of the graves contained funerary objects.
This detail caught the attention of specialists, as it may help in interpreting the religious and social context of the period.
Even so, studies continue to focus on the identification and dating of the constructions.
Preservation of the space must accompany new development
Currently, specialists are working to complete the archaeological analysis of the area.
The goal is to allow the residential development to advance around the site.
The church area should be preserved.
The expectation is that the space will remain protected and can be opened for visitation.
Thus, the discovery of the 1,600-year-old church in Oderzo can transform an ancient fish market into a new point of historical interest.
What do you think is more important in this case: fully preserving the archaeological area or allowing construction around it, keeping the church open for visitation? Share your opinion!
