An aerial view shows the 'Villa of Mysteries' which has been partly retiled with solar panels, on April 15, 2024 in Pompeii. The photovoltaic tiles look just like the ancient tiles of Pompeii but have solar cells inside, allowing the UNESCO World Heritage Site to preserve its aesthetics while generating clean energy to illuminate its frescoes.
The project is in its early stages but experts say the tiles could one day play a part in helping historic centres across Italy turn green. The scheme weds emerging technologies with extraordinary murals unearthed in 1909 from under metres of volcanic ash at the Villa of the Mysteries, buried along with the rest of the city when Vesuvius erupted nearly 2,000 years ago. (Photo by Andreas SOLARO / AFP)