An approximately 1,600-year-old church has been identified by archaeologists near Venicetranslated

Archaeologists from the Ca' Foscari University in Venice have identified, in the ancient city of Altino in northern Italy, the remains of a church dated between the end of the fourth century and the first half of the fifth century.

The building has a rectangular plan, approximately 30 by 20 meters, without an apse, and is oriented towards the east, according to the Christian liturgical tradition. Archaeologists believe that the dimensions and architectural features indicate that this could be the old episcopal church of the city.

"For the first time we can say with a very high degree of probability where the church and the palace of the bishop of Altino were. The sources told us that they had to exist; now we have the archaeological evidence," said Diego Calaon, director of archaeological research and professor at Ca' Foscari University in Venice.

A church mentioned in the letters of Blessed Jerome The existence of an important Christian community in Altino was known until now from historical sources, especially from the correspondence of Blessed Jerome with Eliodorus, the first bishop of the city.

In a letter from the year 396, Blessed Jerome mentions the care of the priest Nepotian,...