Pompeii is one of the most fascinating and unique archaeological sites in the world. It was buried during the ‘eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD under a blanket of ash and lapilli, which preserved it intact for centuries. An unprecedented wealth that left a unique opportunity for the many visitors to immerse themselves in the Roman life of the time.
An immense heritage consisting of more than 440,000 square meters, almost entirely brought to light, with a myriad of frescoes, precious objects, houses, men and children.
A jewel worth visiting at least once in a lifetime. An archaeological site known worldwide for its immense and spectacular amphitheater, the oldest in the Roman world and perfectly preserved.
For the great forum around which revolve the Temple of Jupiter, the Temple of Apollo, the granaries and the macellum.
The basilica, not a place of worship but a court used for civil cases.
And again the house of the Faun, the house of Menander, the lupanare.
Who talking about Pompeii has not heard or read about these places. The most famous the best known of ancient Pompeii. But in reality Pompeii is much more, it preserves and is composed of other splendid places to admire and visit, undoubtedly less famous and known, but equally spectacular and worthy of being seen.
Places whose history is little known but which can be understood thanks to the experience of a tour guide. Therefore, in your visit to Pompeii, do not dwell only on the cult sites but admire it completely, having an experienced and practical guide guide guide you to discover the lesser-known buildings.
Insula of the Casti lovers
Among the places you certainly cannot miss on your visit to Pompeii is the insula of the chaste lovers. It is located in Regio IX, insula 12. It takes its name from a fresco found in one of the rooms of the house that depicts two lovers exchanging a tender kiss.
The insula consisted of several dwellings, a bakery for making bread, and a stable in which the skeletons of two donkeys were found. Most likely the latter were used to turn the millstones in the bakery for bread making.
At the time when the eruption occurred the house was being renovated, in fact, preparatory drawings were found on some of the walls to which color would have been applied for the creation of a fresco. But not only that, plumbing work was also underway.
Recently during excavations the skeletons of two Pompeians who died during the eruption were found, probably as a result of the collapse of some of the building’s walls. They were two men about 55 years old who had in their hands a small cloth bag with silver coins and pieces of glass paste necklace inside.
At the moment the insula of the chaste lovers is closed to the public for excavation work. But soon it will be accessible from above, including for the disabled, through the use of special walkways that will allow people to admire the house.
The home of the Ship Europa
The house of the Ship Europa is located in Regio I , insula 15. It takes its name from a graffito carved on the north wall of the peristyle, depicting a large cargo ship named “Europa.” As with other houses located in Pompeii, the house of the Nave Europa was a dwelling, in which some rooms were used for carrying out productive activities. In this case the house was used for agricultural activities.
In fact, even today the millstone used for pressing olives is still perfectly visible and preserved. The house consisted at the back of a huge garden in which olives, broad beans, onions and fruit plants were grown.
In the Nave Europa house you can admire not only the millstone but also the monumental columns of the peristyle and the decorations on the walls that are still perfectly preserved.
Home of the Wounded Bear
Another place not to be missed in Pompeii is the luxurious House of the Wounded Bear. Is located in Regio VII insula 19. It takes its name from a small colored marble mosaic depicting a wounded bear with the welcome HAVE inscription, found in the entrance hallway of the house.
It is one of the most luxurious houses you will see in Pompeii. The latter, in fact, is richly composed of numerous floor mosaics with black-and-white tiles with different geometric designs.
But what is striking about the house is the marvelous fountain placed in the garden made of glass paste mosaics and marble, mollusks and lava foam.
In the lunette reconstructing the fake caves is Venus lying inside a shell and below Neptune, in the center of a seabed full of fish. The house also features numerous small paintings.
Prince of Naples House
Well yes in Pompeii there is a house called the Prince of Naples, it is located in the alley of the Vettii precisely in Insula VI. And it is so named in honor of the King of Italy, Victor Emmanuel III, who witnessed the excavation work when the house was found in Pompeii.
Despite its name, the house belonged to a lower-middle class family; in fact, it was supposedly inhabited by several slaves.
Nevertheless, the dwelling is finely decorated with numerous frescoes on the walls and a wonderful marble table with lion-shaped legs at the edge of the impluvium.
In addition, life-size images of Bacchus and Venus were reproduced on the walls inside the exedra.
The house consists of numerous rooms some of which overlook the richly decorated portico and central garden that were used for receiving guests.
During excavations the remains of food, household items, amphorae and a human skeleton were found as evidence.
These are just a few of the many little-known but equally fascinating and historic sites you can admire in Pompeii. Many of these houses you may find closed for restoration or safety work. If you don’t want to risk wasting precious time, book a visit with a tour guide and ask them to take you on a tour of Pompeii’s lesser-known sites. To take home a piece of an unseen Pompeii.
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