Italy’s rich history — much of it literally layered into the foundations of its towns and cities — continually reveals new secrets. Recently, a massive ancient Roman villa was discovered under the Amalfi coast town of Positano. The villa will be restored and open to the public in July. It was buried in the AD 79 volcanic eruption of Vesuvius, the same event that decimated the towns of Pompeii and Herculaneum. The volcanic ash preserved buildings and even the bodies inside, creating a lasting window into this ancient time. The villa features gilded columns and huge frescoes; bronze vases and wooden wardrobes are shockingly preserved. It was first discovered in 2004 during restoration work on Positano’s church, Chiesa di Santa Maria Assunta and the underground crypt. Teams of archaeologists have been working tirelessly since then to restore the site, excavate debris and ready the site for visitors. Only a portion of the villa will be visible to the public this summer while work continues on the rest of the restoration. Positano is heavily visited by tourists for its seaside setting and colorful houses on steep cliffs, but the Chiesa di Santa Maria Assunta has been the only major tourist attraction until the villa opening.