The Pompeii Antiquarium is a museum near the old ruins of Pompeii in Italy.
Giuseppe Fiorelli built it between 1873 and 1874 in the area below the terrace of the Temple of Venus, overlooking Porta Marina.
The antiquarium preserves and showcases artifacts discovered during the excavation of Pompeii after they were famously buried during the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD.
It has a rich collection of mosaics, sculptures, pottery and everyday objects from the lives of the ancient Romans who lived in Pompeii.
During your visit to the Pompeii Antiquarium, you can see these historical artifacts to take a peek into the ancient Roman life of the Pompeiians.
About Pompeii Antiquarium
- Official name: Antiquarium of Pompeii
- Function: Archaeological museum
- Address: 80045 Pompei, Metropolitan City of Naples, Italy
- Date of opening: January 2021
- Architect: Giuseppe Fiorelli
- Opening Hours: Daily, 9 am to 4 pm
- Annual Visitors: 2.5 million visitors yearly
How to See the Pompeii Antiquarium?
To visit the Pompeii Antiquarium, you can purchase Pompeii site tickets online or offline.
It’s advisable to obtain tickets online in advance before planning your visit.
You can secure your entry in advance by purchasing tickets online and avoiding long lines at the ticket counters.
Additionally, you can select your preferred date and time for visiting the Pompeii site and antiquarium.
The tickets start at just € 24 for adults, with additional discounts for families with kids and seniors.
History of the Pompeii Antiquarium
Pompeii Antiquarium originally started in the Bourbon Palace of Naples, but as more and more artifacts were found in Pompeii, they needed a bigger place to keep them.
In 1988, a new building was opened near the entrance of the Pompeii archaeological site.
Unfortunately, the Antiquarium faced several challenges after opening and closing several times.
Also, during World War II, the buildings were damaged because of bombings.
Then, in 1980, a big earthquake caused even more damage.
Both times, the antiquarium had to close for many months. But each time, they fixed it up again.
Today, it stands proudly, showing off the amazing history of Pompeii and its people.
What to See at the Pompeii Antiquarium?
Here’s what you can expect to see at the Pompeii Antiquarium:
Room 1:
In Room 1, visitors can see some major artifacts used for living in ancient Rome, such as the fishbone helmet and rocks.
Pompeiians used these for fishing and utilizing local botanical species along the coast and the Sarno River.
You can take a peek into the ancient Romans’ daily lives there.
Besides this, you can also gain insights into the geographical and environmental context surrounding Mount Vesuvius.
Eruption of Mount Vesuvius:
This section in the Pompeii Antiquarium is dedicated to showcasing the
cataclysmic eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD.
Visitors can see Pompeii residents’ plaster casts, clothing fragments, and other personal items recovered from the archaeological excavations there.
Exhibits located there are particularly focused on showing the eruption’s impact and the people’s last day in Pompeii.
Daily Items of Pompeiians
The Antiquarium also showcases the daily items used by the Pompeiians.
It includes oil lamps for light homes and public spaces, vessels like cups, goblets, wine glasses, pots, and pans, and pottery vessels like amphorae, jars, and bowls.
These things will give a peek at the lifestyle and routines of ancient Roman society.
Architecture and History of the Building:
The Pompeii Antiquarium showcases artifacts from Pompeii’s ancient past and the architectural craftsmanship of the building itself.
The building of the antiquarium was also damaged by earthquakes and bombings and underwent many restoration efforts.
It showcases architectural techniques and the restoration process used to save the building.
Ancient Paintings:
The Antiquarium also showcases a collection of ancient paintings.
These artworks originate from various Pompeii locations, including the House of the Criptiportico, the House of the Ceii, and the Villa of the Mysteries.
The paintings offer valuable insights into the artistic and cultural expressions of Pompeii’s inhabitants. If you are an art enthusiast, you must see these paintings.
Besides all this, you can enhance your experience at the Pompeii Antiquarium with the AmedeoBot.
AmedeoBot is a digital assistant available there that provides helpful information during the museum tour, guiding visitors through the exhibits and highlights of Pompeii.
FAQs
1. Where to buy Pompeii Antiquarium tickets?
Tickets for the Pompeii Archeological Site, which include entry to the Antiquarium, can be purchased online or offline.
Buying tickets online in advance is recommended to avoid long lines at the ticket counters.
2. What is there at the Pompeii Antiquarium?
The Pompeii Antiquarium houses a rich collection of artifacts, including mosaics, sculptures, pottery, everyday objects, and ancient paintings from the ancient Roman city of Pompeii.Â
3. What happened to the Pompeii Antiquarium in 1980?
In 1980, the Pompeii Antiquarium suffered heavy damage from a large earthquake. As a result, it had to close for several months for restoration efforts.
4. What are the timings of the Pompeii Antiquarium?
The Pompeii Antiquarium is open daily from 9 am to 4 pm for visitors to explore its exhibits and collections.
5. Where is the Pompeii Antiquarium located?
The official address of the Pompeii Antiquarium is 80045 Pompei, Metropolitan City of Naples, Italy.
It is situated near the entrance of the Pompeii archaeological site.
6. Is the Pompeii Antiquarium wheelchair accessible?
Yes, the Pompeii Antiquarium is wheelchair accessible.
7. Is photography allowed at the Pompeii Antiquarium?
Yes, photography is permitted at the Pompeii Antiquarium. This allows visitors to capture memories of their visit and the fascinating artifacts on display.
8. Where are the plaster casts in Pompeii?
The plaster casts of Pompeii residents can be found inside the Antiquarium. There, you can see these casts, fragments of clothing, and personal items recovered from archaeological excavations.
9. How did they make Plaster casts of Pompeii?
Plaster casts of the people in Pompeii were made by pouring liquid plaster into the voids left behind by decomposed organic materials, such as bodies, within the volcanic ash layers.
As the plaster solidified and hardened, it captured the shape and details of the original forms, showing the final postures and expressions of the eruption victims.
Featured Image: Commons.wikimedia.org
