Pompeii, reopens the Villa of the Mysteries

As of July 19, two well-known buildings reopen in Pompeii Archaeological Park following maintenance work: the Villa of the Mysteries and the Lupanare; thus expanding the tour route with additional monuments to admire.

The extraordinary suburban complex of the Villa of the Mysteries, once overlooking the sea, takes its name from the hall of frescoes (megalographs) depicting mystery rites in honor of Dionysus (visible in the center of the central wall along with his bride Ariadne). The frescoes will also be illustrated in the main figures by new paneling. The complex, which included a district used for wine production, dates back to the second century B.C., but found its present form in the years 80-70 B.C., a period to which the frieze of mysteries also dates.

The Lupanare is a two-story building intended for the practice of prostitution, a practice also attested in the city in some domus or tavern rooms. Characteristic is the carrel of pictures with erotic scenes decorating the corridors of the ground floor, which illustrated as in a catalog the performances.

Visits to the Park, in addition to the traditional itinerary through Pompeii’s landmarks, starting from the Forum with its temples and public buildings, continuing along the Via dell’Abbondanza with domus and workshops, or with entrance from the side of the Amphitheater, with the nearby Palestra Grande and the beautiful garden domus, include some extraordinary openings. These include visits to the storerooms/barns, normally not accessible to the public, held every Wednesday from 10 a.m. to noon and 2 to 4 p.m. or during Pompeii’s evening openings, which can be viewed at www.pompeiisites.org.

From July 26, the House of Ephebus and the House of Siricus also return to visit. While the opening of the thermopolium in Regio V, the area of the new excavations, is scheduled for August.

A map with the buildings that can be visited can be downloaded from www.pompeiisites.org in the visit information section.

Pompeii, reopens the Villa of the Mysteries

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