Le ville suburbane
Villa of the Mysteries
The Villa of the Mysteries was excavated at the beginning of the century and since then has been the most famous building in Pompeii. In antiquity the building was situated on a slope and from its terrace one could enjoy the view of the Gulf of Naples. The original structure dates back to the second century B.C., but it was successively subject to numerous enlargements and restorations. Its period of splendor goes from the foundation of the Roman colony to the Augustan era.
At the beginning of the first century B.C. it was decorated in the fashion of that time. In this period the hall was painted with a magnificent frieze with near life size figures (megalografia) reproducing the initiation scene of a young girl to the mysteries of matrimony according to the precepts of the cult of Dionysus. After the earthquake of 62 A.D., which also provoked a serious economic crisis, the villa was exclusively employed for the production and sale of wine.
The Villa of the Mysteries was excavated at the beginning of the century and since then has been the most famous building in Pompeii. In antiquity the building was situated on a slope and from its terrace one could enjoy the view of the Gulf of Naples. The original structure dates back to the second century B.C., but it was successively subject to numerous enlargements and restorations. Its period of splendor goes from the foundation of the Roman colony to the Augustan era.
At the beginning of the first century B.C. it was decorated in the fashion of that time. In this period the hall was painted with a magnificent frieze with near life size figures (megalografia) reproducing the initiation scene of a young girl to the mysteries of matrimony according to the precepts of the cult of Dionysus. After the earthquake of 62 A.D., which also provoked a serious economic crisis, the villa was exclusively employed for the production and sale of wine.
Villa of Diomedes
This is one of Pompeii's most important villas. Since it is located outside the city it is considered a “suburban villa”. It was excavated between 1771 and 1774.
Eighteen victims were found in the underground portico. From the street we enter straight into the peristilium with its 14 columns. The bath facility is on the left. A wide open terrace (solarium) opens on the underlying square garden, which is the largest in Pompeii with a pool, a fountain, a summer triclinium and a four-sided portico.
This is one of Pompeii's most important villas. Since it is located outside the city it is considered a “suburban villa”. It was excavated between 1771 and 1774.
Eighteen victims were found in the underground portico. From the street we enter straight into the peristilium with its 14 columns. The bath facility is on the left. A wide open terrace (solarium) opens on the underlying square garden, which is the largest in Pompeii with a pool, a fountain, a summer triclinium and a four-sided portico.
Villa of the Mosaic Colonnade
It is situated out of the city boundaries, on Via dei Sepolcri and it is only partly dug. It had four columns with mosaic (now at the National Archaeological Museum of Naples) that sustained the pergola of the garden; in the area of the garden have been recovered rests of tombs of a Samnite necropolis (III century B.C.).
It is situated out of the city boundaries, on Via dei Sepolcri and it is only partly dug. It had four columns with mosaic (now at the National Archaeological Museum of Naples) that sustained the pergola of the garden; in the area of the garden have been recovered rests of tombs of a Samnite necropolis (III century B.C.).
Via dei Sepolcri
This road starts out of Ercolano Gate, gives us a complete picture of the suburban life in Pompeii. There are on it villas, houses, workshops and tombs. These last ones loose here their original style, to become true monuments, in the style of the Hellenistic design; along the street, in fact, there are mausoleums of different styles and shapes. First of all, there is the sepulchre of Marco Cerrinio Restituto, with the shape of niche, then follows the tomb of the duumviro Aulo Veio, with the shape of circular seat (schola), and Marco Porcio’s tomb, that resembles to a big altar.
At the beginning of the funeral exedra of the priestess Mamia it raises a sepulchre with several loculi, the mausoleum of the Istacidi. There are also the sepulchres of Marco Terenzio Maggiore, the Tomb of the Garlands, so call for its decorations, the sepulchre of the Blue Glass Vase (National Archaeological Museum of Naples), the sepulchre of Caio Calvenzio Quieto, the sepulchral enclosure of Numerio Istacidio Eleno.
On the road there are also the Villa of the Mosaic Colonnade, with four columns that supported the pergola of the garden, and the Villa of Diomedes, with a big garden with a swimming pool and summer triclinium. A branch leads to the Villa of the Mysteries.
This road starts out of Ercolano Gate, gives us a complete picture of the suburban life in Pompeii. There are on it villas, houses, workshops and tombs. These last ones loose here their original style, to become true monuments, in the style of the Hellenistic design; along the street, in fact, there are mausoleums of different styles and shapes. First of all, there is the sepulchre of Marco Cerrinio Restituto, with the shape of niche, then follows the tomb of the duumviro Aulo Veio, with the shape of circular seat (schola), and Marco Porcio’s tomb, that resembles to a big altar.
At the beginning of the funeral exedra of the priestess Mamia it raises a sepulchre with several loculi, the mausoleum of the Istacidi. There are also the sepulchres of Marco Terenzio Maggiore, the Tomb of the Garlands, so call for its decorations, the sepulchre of the Blue Glass Vase (National Archaeological Museum of Naples), the sepulchre of Caio Calvenzio Quieto, the sepulchral enclosure of Numerio Istacidio Eleno.
On the road there are also the Villa of the Mosaic Colonnade, with four columns that supported the pergola of the garden, and the Villa of Diomedes, with a big garden with a swimming pool and summer triclinium. A branch leads to the Villa of the Mysteries.
Viale della Villa dei Misteri
It is a branch of Via dei Sepolcri and leads to the famous Villa of the Mysteries, probably the most important building of Pompeii both for its structure and for the decoration. The road goes up to the first half of the II century B.C., but it was subsequently rearranged and widened.
It is a branch of Via dei Sepolcri and leads to the famous Villa of the Mysteries, probably the most important building of Pompeii both for its structure and for the decoration. The road goes up to the first half of the II century B.C., but it was subsequently rearranged and widened.