Did you know that near Pompeii, there are perfectly preserved Roman Villas dating back to the 1st century B.C. that were destroyed by the eruption of Vesuvius and can be visited for free?
Well yes, we are talking about the imposing and beautiful villas Arianna and San Marco. Two jewels located in the ancient city of Stabiae just a few kilometers from Pompeii, on a hill with panoramic views of Vesuvius.
The villas were buried along with the cities of Pompeii, Oplonti and Herculaneum during the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD and were unearthed around 1750. Two heritages celebrated not only for their majesty, but also for their magnificent frescoes, floor mosaics, and their strategic location offering spectacular views of the Bay of Naples. Let’s get to know them….
Villa Arianna: A Jewel of Architecture and Painting
Villa Ariadne is one of two archaeological gems that deserves attention. It was excavated between 1757 and 1762, during the excavation campaign led by Swiss engineer Karl Weber.
It covers an area of about 2,500 square meters. With a rather complex plan, because it is the result of successive extensions and because of the conformation of the hill whose contours it follows.
The villa’s name comes from a scene depicting the myth of Ariadne, which was found among the frescoes decorating the walls of a large triclinium hall.
It consists of four essential nuclei: atrium and cubicula decorated in II style; service and thermal rooms; rooms on either side of the summer triclinium with panoramic terraces; and the large gymnasium attached to the villa.
What makes Villa Arianna a unique site to visit is the extraordinary decorative apparatus that makes up each room. Magnificent frescoes cover the walls and ceilings, offering a unique view of Roman painting. But not only do they also testify to the high standard of living of the homeowners and the extremely refined taste of a high-ranking and demanding patronage.
A heritage that is also reflected in the marvelous, perfectly preserved floor mosaics that testify to the high value of this residence.
Nothing was left to chance in this luxurious villa. From the decoration of the small living rooms depicting small flying figures, cupids, mythological characters, landscape paintings, masks, busts of characters within medallions.
To the larger rooms and halls, decorated with almost life-size mythological themes, such as the painting depicting ‘Ariadne Abandoned by Theseus’ on the back wall of the triclinium.
In short, a prestigious villa that can be visited for free and is absolutely worth seeing.
Villa San Marco: An Example of Elegance and Grandeur
Villa San Marco is one of the largest and most majestic residences in Stabiae, covering some 11,000 square meters, of which only 6,000 have been brought to light.
The villa was built in the early first century AD and is a perfect example of the wealth and taste of the Roman elite.
Situated on a hill overlooking the Bay of Naples, the villa was probably owned by a family of freedmen who became wealthy through trade. Its spacious terraces, well-kept gardens, and interior spaces highlight the luxury that characterized residences of the period.
Excavations have revealed an articulated complex with numerous rooms and spaces decorated with frescoes and mosaics that testify to the beauty and elegance of the interiors.
But not only that, inside Villa San Marco there was also a thermal quarter decorated with heroes, wrestlers, and boxers. In which there was a tepidarium, a frigidarium, a gymnasium and a calidarium. The latter equipped with a 7×5 m pool, one and a half meters deep, which is reached by stone steps.
But one of the most fascinating features of Villa San Marco is its 36-meter-long and 7-meter-wide swimming pool, which, together with the gardens, created an environment of leisure and relaxation for its inhabitants. The pictorial decorations, which adorn walls and ceilings, include mythological and naturalistic motifs, offering an interesting cue for scholars of Roman art.
Opening hours and days of Villa San Marco and Villa Arianna
Today these villas are open to the public free of charge and offer visitors the chance to immerse themselves in a journey into the past. Where art, architecture and history come together to tell the story of the greatness of Roman civilization.
The two villas are located in the locality of Varano in Castellammare di Stabia, one minute from each other. They can be easily reached by car and both have ample free parking.
The villas are open Monday through Sunday, except for Tuesday, which is the closing day.
Admission hours from April 1 to October 31 are from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. with last admission at 6 p.m.
From November 1 to March 31 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with last admission at 4:00 p.m.
