Work has begun to restore what is believed to be the grandest ancient residence in the Pompeii archaeological site, fully funded by a private sponsor at a cost of 1.4 million euros (£1.1 million), officials announced on Tuesday.
The house of Marcus Fabius Rufus, built on Pompeii’s city walls and modelled after Rome’s imperial palaces, was buried in the eruption of Mount Vesuvius that destroyed the ancient city in 79 A.D. It has been inaccessible to the public since 1980.
