On 25 August 79 A.D. a roar woke the inhabitants of Pompeii. Immediately afterwards, a 20 kilometer high column of smoke rose from the summit of Vesuvius. In a short time the city was buried under a thick blanket of ash while the air poisoned by the toxic gases released by the explosion killed its inhabitants. Those who did not have time to flee to the coast were buried forever in that hell, as evidenced by the petrified corpses that have come down to us. The lava petrified the city as it looked that morning of August 25 two thousand years ago. For this reason, the villas and houses of Pompeii represent a unique opportunity to admire the beauties of Roman civilization.
Drawing up a ranking is always difficult, especially when it comes to the archaeological treasures of Pompeii, so this “top ten” should be understood as an invitation to indulge in the charm of the city. THINGS TO SEE: Casa del Fauno: The largest house in Pompeii , with an area of ​​over 3,000 square meters. The numerous precious objects found and the decorations in the rooms suggest a very wealthy owner. The hall after the first colonnade was decorated with the famous mosaic depicting the victory of Alexander the Great at Issus. Villa di Diomede. Just outside the walls of Pompeii. The body of its owner was found embraced to that of a servant near the entrance to the villa. He had with him a bag full of coins which did not save his life. Home of the Tragic Poet. Here you can admire the famous mosaic with the inscription “Cave canem”. The Lupanare. In Pompeii there were about thirty brothels. This one, which can be visited since 2006, was the best known. Imperial Villa. Discovered only in 1947, it is named after the impressive decorations of its rooms. To visit the portico of 43 columns that develops around a spacious garden.Villa dei Misteri. Perhaps the most famous building in Pompeii. Named after the paintings that decorate the interior. In this place the Sacred Mysteries were celebrated, the images of which remain on the walls of the villa but there is no written text that explains them. Their meaning remains obscure. In the part of the villa dedicated to the servants, some petrified skeletons were found, a sign that the servants, unlike the rich master, had not managed to save themselves. House of the Gladiators. More than a house, it was a real gymnasium where the families of the gladiators might also stay. Scenes of gladiator fights are visible on the mosaic floor of the atrium. On the columns are still recognizable the inscriptions listing the victories of the gladiators, Casa di Casca Longus. Known for the beautiful scenes of theatrical performances that decorate the walls of the atrium. The owner, Casca Longus, was not just any man but one of the protagonists of the conspiracy against Julius Caesar and other interesting things.