Ancient streets, ancient ruins and ancient art, explore the famous buried city of Pompeii!
Pompeii is probably one of the most well-known city in the world. It’s famous for being covered by the ash from erupting Vesuvius, leaving it remarkably preserved. Most Ancient Roman cities are still occupied, leaving Pompeii an unique time capsule from 79 CE.
Even though this was my fifth visit to Pompeii, I still found new things. Every time I go, different buildings are open and new buildings open up to visitors. I’ve written about a visit to Pompeii before, so in this post I’m going to feature places not covered in that post (mostly).
Jana Irving Porta Marina, the main entrance to Pompeii.
Jana Irving The Basilica.
Jana Irving A grand arch.
Jana Irving Intersection with a fountain.
Jana Irving Villa di Diomede, a large suburban villa outside the city walls. Hadn’t been in this one before.
Jana Irving It’s a multi-storied villa with a huge garden.
Jana Irving Down at the garden level are several decorated rooms, probably bedrooms.
Jana Irving Looks like this room had been redecorated from the red to white design.
Jana Irving A lovely peristylium (peristyle), found in the Casa dei Dioscuri.
Jana Irving A wonderful frescoed room.
Jana Irving Temple of Fortuna Augusta.
Jana Irving One of the most elaborate villas in Pompeii is this one, Casa dei Vettii.
Jana Irving One very grand peristyle.
Jana Irving Lararium, an altar to the household guardian deities.
Jana Irving Another peristyle in the Casa degli Amorini Dorati.
Jana Irving It’s a shame more ceilings didn’t survive in Pompeii, because this one was gorgeous.
Jana Irving Casa delle Nozze d’Argento had a very grand atrium. I think that the fence blocks off some original plumbing for the fountain.
Jana Irving This villa also had a very grand dining room (triclinium).
Jana Irving Surviving cart ruts. Large stones were placed in the streets where crosswalks would be today. Even though the roads are paved, they would have been full of dirt, rubbish and horse dung.
Jana Irving Casa di Sirico‘s best preserved room.
Jana Irving And Casa di Sirico’s former residents.
Jana Irving Not all of Pompeii was as fancy of these houses. Here’s a bread oven.
Jana Irving Mosaic in the entryway of Domus M. Caesi Blandi.
Jana Irving A normal Pompeian street.
Jana Irving Vesuvius looming over the ancient city.
Jana Irving Many buildings in Pompeii were at least two stories if not more.
Jana Irving This main street through Pompeii was lined with shops and other businesses. The area behind the facade have not been excavated yet.
Jana Irving Rhinos? Casa di Larario di Achille.
Jana Irving Thermopolium di Vetutius Placidus. Thermopolia were Ancient Roman fast food places and restaurants typically.
Jana Irving Casa di Giulio Polibio. C. Iulius Polybius was involved in the administration of the city.
Jana Irving Casa del Frutteto has a cute, little atrium.
Jana Irving The house also has this wonderful room. Luckily the house wasn’t found until the 1950s, so the frescoes remain. Starting in the 20th century excavations, frescoes and mosaics were kept in situ if possible.
Jana Irving Absolutely amazing. I’ve only seen frescoes of this quality in museums.
Jana Irving The ceiling matched. My heart…
Jana Irving Just amazing.
Jana Irving Taberna di Sotericus. Ancient Rome even had taverns like we do today. This one also functioned as an inn.
Jana Irving They even frescoed in a little guard dog. Adorable.
Jana Irving The opulent garden of Casa di Octavius Quartio.
Jana Irving This may have been an outdoor dining area.
Jana Irving Venus in a shell. Casa della Venere in conchiglia.
Jana Irving The Amphitheater.
Jana Irving Ending with this fantastic fresco from the Casa dei Ceii.
This is only a small fraction of what I saw in Pompeii that day. I could go back for a sixth time and still see something new. Pompeii is definitely worth the day trip down from Rome, or nearby Naples. There is even more to find in the area as well.
Check out my next update where I explore Pompeii’s sister city, Herculaneum!
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Start at the beginning of this adventure.
