Fano: tree removal begins near excavations of Basilica attributed to

Tree removal starts in Fano near the Basilica attributed to Vitruvius excavations

On 14 April 2026, work began to remove some lime trees in Piazza Costa, adjacent to the archaeological site identified as the Basilica attributed to Vitruvius. The interventions concern the first of roughly fifteen trees surrounding the excavation perimeter.

Two environmental associations and the historic center residents' committee have asked for an urgent meeting with the municipal administration and the Superintendency to obtain clarifications on the reasons and methods for the cutting operations.

• Who requested the meeting: Idefix – Fano (Legambiente), Lupus in Fabula, historic center residents' committee.
• Who is being asked to respond: mayor, deputy mayor, city councillor, and the regional Superintendency.
• Official justification: safety needs linked to the new excavation phase down to the Roman city level.

The municipal council states that the removals are necessary to ensure the safety of staff involved in the newly financed excavation phase overseen by the Superintendency. The administration has also pledged to plant replacement trees to compensate for those removed.

The associations and residents say they do not intend to block archaeological work but demand that decisions about public urban space be taken in a participatory and transparent manner, ensuring protection of the urban trees and compliance with safety and heritage conservation procedures.

Visitors and site users are advised to follow official municipal updates for information on access restrictions and the phases of the excavation works.