Herculaneum
Herculaneum was buried along with Pompeii in the eruption of Vesuvius in AD 79, but met a different fate: this seaside town was flooded by mudflows and pyroclastic surges that set into a rock layer softer than tuff, called pappamonte, sealing wooden doors, floors and even furniture in place. It was struck by chance while digging a well in 1709, systematically excavated by Maiuri from 1927 onward, and to this day only four of its original twenty or so hectares have been cleared; in 1997 it was inscribed alongside Pompeii as a World Heritage Site. Walk into the alleys and look out for the details that had already burned to ash at Pompeii—carbonised wooden partitions, the bones of those who huddled in the vaulted boat chambers along the beach.
Italy · 58 The overlooked corners inside
The overlooked corners inside
Roman Theatre
You won't see it from ground level — Herculaneum's Roman Theatre is still buried under more than twenty metres of solidified volcanic rock, accessible only by descending through Bourbon-era tunnels via an entrance restored in 1865. It was the first structure discovered at the ancient site, and the earliest found anywhere in the Vesuvius region: the theatre faces northeast–southwest, built almost entirely in opus reticulatum and concrete, and once held around 2,500 spectators for comedies and satirical plays.
Sources: it.wikipedia.org
House of the Hotel (Casa dell'Albergo)
Don't be misled by the name — it was never an inn. Excavators assumed the scale indicated a lodging house, and the label stuck. Covering more than 2,000 square metres, it is the largest residence yet uncovered at Herculaneum, built on a cliff edge overlooking what was, before the eruption, the beach below. It is also the only house in the city with its own private bath suite.
Sources: it.wikipedia.org
House of the Alcove (Casa dell'Alcova)
The House of the Alcove is actually two adjoining houses sharing a single entrance, totalling about 460 square metres. Bourbon tunnellers stripped out nearly all the decoration in the 18th century; the site only came back to light when Amedeo Maiuri re-excavated in the early 20th century. The east side of the main courtyard has a colonnade, and traces of Fourth Style architectural painting survive on the north wall. The house's most rewarding stop is a Third Style fresco deep inside the first unit's bedroom — the only large painting the Bourbon workers left behind — depicting the abandoned Ariadne.
Sources: it.wikipedia.org
House of Argus (Casa di Argo)
The House of Argus takes its name from a now-lost fresco in its peristyle showing Argus gazing at the nymph Io. The main entrance faces the unexcavated second cardo; today's visitors must enter from a side door on the third cardo, or through a passage cut by Bourbon-era tunnellers through the wall of the neighbouring House of Aristides. When excavation began around 1820, the second floor's state of preservation caused a sensation; but after open-air work stopped in 1875, the upper storey gradually collapsed, and only a single room near the exedra still stands above the level of the third cardo.
Sources: it.wikipedia.org
House of the Corinthian Atrium (Casa dell'Atrio Corinzio)
One of the oldest surviving houses at Herculaneum, the House of the Corinthian Atrium covers about 230 square metres with its entrance on the fourth cardo. Four steps down through the vestibule, the atrium doubles as a peristyle: the impluvium has been converted into a marble fountain, six white-stuccoed tuff columns carry Corinthian capitals, the floor is red-grey mortar inlaid with coloured marble chips, and the walls are decorated in three bands — black dado, red-and-black mid-zone, and an architectural frieze above.
Sources: it.wikipedia.org
House of the Mosaic Atrium (Casa dell'Atrio a Mosaico)
One of the largest houses at Herculaneum at roughly 1,200 square metres, the House of the… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: it.wikipedia.org
House of the Bronze Herm (Casa del Busto di Bronzo)
The House of the Bronze Herm takes its name from a bronze portrait bust of the owner found… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: it.wikipedia.org
House of the Gem (Casa della Gemma)
The House of the Gem is named after a Claudian-era engraved stone found here depicting Liv… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: it.wikipedia.org
Lanarius Workshop (Wool Merchant's Shop)
Located at Insula III, 10, next door to the House of the Wooden Partition and sharing the… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: herculaneum.uk · wikidata.org
Plumbarius Workshop (Lead Worker's Shop)
The lead workshop (Insula VI, 12) stands on the north side of the Decumanus Maximus and is… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: wikidata.org · en.wikipedia.org
House of the Fullonica (Cloth-Washing Shop)
The House of the Fullonica (Insula IV, 5–7) is a combined shop-and-residence, originally a… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: herculaneum.uk · en.wikipedia.org · wikidata.org
House of the Brick Altar (Casa dell'Ara Laterizia)
The House of the Brick Altar (Insula III, 17) is a narrow, modest house whose floor plan f… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: herculaneum.uk · wikidata.org
House of the Cloth (Casa della Stoffa)
The House of the Cloth (Insula IV, 19) is a craftsman's residence named for the relatively… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: herculaneum.uk · wikidata.org
House of the Painted Papyrus (Casa del Papiro Dipinto)
The House of the Painted Papyrus (Insula IV, 8) takes its name from a now-lost fresco that… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: herculaneum.uk · wikidata.org
House of the Loom (Casa del Telaio)
The House of the Loom (Insula V, 3–4) is named for the carbonised wooden loom frame and mu… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: herculaneum.uk · wikidata.org
House of Apollo Citharoedus (House of the Lyre-Playing Apollo)
The House of Apollo Citharoedus (Insula V, 11–12) faces the Decumanus Maximus. Its name co… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: herculaneum.uk · academia.edu
House with Garden (Casa con Giardino)
The House with Garden (Insula V, 33) stands at the corner of the fifth cardo and the Decum… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: herculaneum.uk · wikidata.org
House of Galba (Casa di Galba)
The House of Galba (Insula VII) takes its name from a silver portrait herm found near the… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: it.wikipedia.org
House of Pilius Granianus
The House of Pilius Granianus lies in the suburban zone of the ancient city, close to the… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: it.wikipedia.org
Four-Sided Arch (Arco Quadrifronte)
The four-sided arch (arco quadrifronte) stands at the northwest corner of the Decumanus Ma… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: herculaneum.uk · wikidata.org
Bakery of Sex. Patulcius Felix (Pistrinum)
This bakery (pistrinum) in Insula IV is one of the most complete milling and baking operat… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: madainproject.com · wikidata.org
Insula V Workshops
This cluster of workshops stands in Insula V, near the junction of the Decumanus Maximus a… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: wikidata.org
Third Cardo (Cardo III)
The third cardo is one of the best-preserved stretches of Roman street at Herculaneum. Bri… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: fr.wikipedia.org
Fourth Cardo (Cardo IV)
The fourth cardo is one of Herculaneum's main north–south streets, lined with houses and w… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: wikidata.org · en.wikipedia.org
Fifth Cardo (Cardo V)
The fifth cardo is the easternmost north–south street in Herculaneum's excavated zone, lin… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: wikidata.org · herculaneum.uk
Decumanus Inferior (Lower Cross Street)
The Decumanus inferior is Herculaneum's secondary east–west street, crossing the city's no… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: wikidata.org · en.wikipedia.org
Decumanus Maximus (Main Street)
The Decumanus Maximus is Herculaneum's principal east–west street and the spine of the cit… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: wikidata.org · en.wikipedia.org · romeartlover.it
Grande Taberna (Large Shop)
The Grande Taberna occupies the corner of the fifth cardo and the Decumanus inferior (Insu… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: madainproject.com · wikidata.org
Ancient Beach Vaults (Boat Houses / Skeleton Casts)
The ancient beach vaults are the most visceral corner of Herculaneum: more than 300 skelet… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: it.wikipedia.org
Priapus Tavern (Taberna di Priapo)
The Priapus Tavern (Insula IV, 17) on the west side of the fifth cardo is one of the best-… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: herculaneum.uk · en.wikipedia.org · wikidata.org
Taberna Vasaria
The Taberna Vasaria is a pottery shop unearthed at Herculaneum (vas means vessel), named f… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: wikidata.org · madainproject.com · en.wikipedia.org
Central Baths — Women's Section
The women's section of the Central Baths opens onto the fourth cardo, completely separate… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: it.wikipedia.org · wikidata.org
Central Baths — Men's Section
The men's section of the Central Baths enters from the third cardo and is the largest publ… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: it.wikipedia.org · wikidata.org
Terrace of Marcus Nonius Balbus
This terrace stands just outside the city's seafront wall, directly above the boat-house v… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: en.wikipedia.org · it.wikipedia.org · wikidata.org
Thermopolium on Cardo III
This thermopolium stands near the junction of the lower third cardo and the Decumanus infe… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: en.wikipedia.org · wikidata.org
Terrace and Altar of Marcus Nonius Balbus
This honorary complex adjoins the seafront city wall and is the public memorial space the… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: en.wikipedia.org · wikidata.org · ermakvagus.com
Thermopolium V.10
This thermopolium at Insula V, no. 10 (on the fifth cardo side) is one of the several hot-… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: en.wikipedia.org · wikidata.org
Thermopolium VI.19
This thermopolium at Insula VI, no. 19, stands on the south side of the Decumanus Maximus… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: en.wikipedia.org · wikidata.org
Neptune and Dolphin Fountain
This street fountain stands at the corner of the lower fifth cardo and the Decumanus infer… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: herculaneum.uk · wikidata.org
Hercules Fountain
The Hercules Fountain stands at the east end of the Decumanus Maximus, its spout decorated… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: herculaneum.uk · wikidata.org
Hercules and Venus Fountain
This fountain on the Decumanus Maximus (near Insula VI) is distinguished by the paired fig… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: herculaneum.uk · wikidata.org
Temple of Venus
The Temple of Venus stands on the Sacred Area Terrace at Herculaneum, accessible from the… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: audiala.com · wikidata.org · ermakvagus.com
Villa of the Papyri (Villa dei Papiri)
The Villa of the Papyri was built along the seafront cliff in three terraced levels, stret… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: it.wikipedia.org
Samnite House (Casa Sannitica)
The Samnite House is one of the best-preserved early dwellings at Herculaneum, built in th… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: it.wikipedia.org
House of the Skeleton (Casa dello Scheletro)
The House of the Skeleton takes its name from the first human remains found at Herculaneum… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: it.wikipedia.org
House of the Telephus Relief (Casa del Rilievo di Telefo)
The House of the Telephus Relief takes its name from a high-relief sculpture depicting epi… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: it.wikipedia.org
College of the Augustales (Sede degli Augustali)
The College of the Augustales was the meeting hall of the Augustales — the priests of the… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: it.wikipedia.org
Palaestra (Exercise Ground)
Built in the Augustan period, the palaestra measures 105 by 70 metres — about two-thirds t… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: it.wikipedia.org
House of the Carbonised Furniture (Casa del Mobilio Carbonizzato)
One of the oldest houses at Herculaneum, the House of the Carbonised Furniture was compreh… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: it.wikipedia.org
House of the Wooden Shrine (Casa del Sacello di Legno)
The House of the Wooden Shrine was built in the Samnite period (2nd century BCE) with its… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: it.wikipedia.org
House of the Black Hall (Casa del Salone Nero)
The House of the Black Hall takes its name from a reception room whose four walls and vaul… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: it.wikipedia.org
House of the Wooden Partition (Casa del Tramezzo di Legno)
The House of the Wooden Partition takes its name from a carbonised folding wooden screen b… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: it.wikipedia.org
House of Aristides (Casa di Aristide)
The House of Aristides takes its name from a statue found here that was initially misident… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: it.wikipedia.org
House of Neptune and Amphitrite (Casa di Nettuno e Anfitrite)
The House of Neptune and Amphitrite takes its name from its finest surviving mosaic: in th… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: it.wikipedia.org
Suburban Baths (Terme Suburbane)
The Suburban Baths are among the best-preserved Roman bath complexes anywhere in the empir… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: it.wikipedia.org
Basilica (Augusteum)
The Basilica — also called the Augusteum — is one of Herculaneum's most important public b… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: it.wikipedia.org
Basilica Noniana (Noniana Basilica)
The Basilica Noniana is almost entirely underground, immediately next to the College of th… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: it.wikipedia.org
House of the Genius (Casa del Genio)
The House of the Genius takes its name from a small statuette of a Genius (a Roman protect… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: it.wikipedia.org
FAQ
What overlooked corners are worth seeing inside Herculaneum?
Roman Theatre, House of the Hotel (Casa dell'Albergo), House of the Alcove (Casa dell'Alcova) and more — 58 spots in all, each with sources and a guide in your language to read or listen to on the spot.
Is the Herculaneum guide free?
The first 5 spots are free to read; the other 53 unlock with a one-time purchase (not a subscription).