Madonna will celebrate her 66th birthday with a private evening tour of the famed Italian archaeological site at Pompeii, officials said.
Naples Prefect Michele Di Bari dispelled rumors circulating in Italian media that the singer would be hosting a grand birthday party at the ancient city, which was obliterated in A.D. 79 by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. Instead, Di Bari confirmed that Madonna’s plans for Friday evening are purely cultural, involving an exclusive tour of the site.
“She loves Pompeii, loves the archaeological park, and can’t wait to come,” he told reporters on Tuesday.
For decades, archaeologists have painstakingly excavated the ruins of Pompeii, continually uncovering beautifully preserved frescoes, pottery, and even human remains, most recently just this week.
Madonna, whose family hails from Italy’s Abruzzo region, has been in Italy for several days, reportedly as a guest of fashion icons Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana.
On Tuesday evening, she was filmed taking a stroll in the Ligurian resort town of Portofino, adorned in black lace and carrying an umbrella. Following her walk, she dined with her two daughters and entourage at Portofino’s renowned Puny Restaurant, located on the main piazza.
Madonna concluded her “Celebration Tour” in May with a free concert on Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro.
An email to Madonna’s publicist was not immediately returned.
