Religion, memory and the eruption

Hours

Hours are the Park’s listing for 15 October to 15 March, from its open-buildings page. They differ in summer. Each entry paraphrases the Park’s own page for that place, or its easy-reading guide where there is no page.

Temple of Isis

Found with its decoration and furnishings almost intact, which helped introduce Pompeii to the world. Isis was an Egyptian goddess whose cult spread across the Mediterranean from the 3rd century BC, a mystery cult reserved for initiates and popular with lower classes. The Park says Mozart visited in 1770 and the temple inspired the scenes of the first performance of The Magic Flute. The furnishings are in the Naples museum. Look for: The temple on its podium inside a portico courtyard. Not on the Park’s open-buildings list when we checked, so confirm before planning around it.

Garden of the Fugitives

A former vineyard, with a dining area under a pergola, where 13 adults and children were found. The Park says they were trying to leave through the Nocera Gate, walking above pumice that had already reached 3.5 metres, when the pyroclastic flow stopped them. Their casts are in a glass case near the back wall. Look for: The glass case at the back wall. Park listing: 9:00 to 17:00. Marked with the Park’s accessible symbol. A sombre place.

Villa of the Mysteries

Outside the city walls. The hall of mysteries has a large continuous fresco across three walls, among the best preserved ancient paintings, showing a rite linked to Dionysus, who appears with Ariadne on the central wall. The Park mentions dancing, wine and a ritual flagellation of a young girl. Other rooms keep second-style architectural paintings and small Egyptian-inspired scenes. The villa has a wine-production area with a rebuilt wooden press. It took its current shape in 80 to 70 BC. Look for: The fresco room and the wine press. Park listing: 9:15 to 16:30, last entrance 16:15. Included in Pompeii Plus, not Express.

Villa of Diomede

One of the first buildings excavated in Pompeii and a key stop for 19th-century travellers, whose graffiti remain, including the Count of Cavour. It spreads over three levels towards the ancient coast, with 3,500 square metres, gardens and pools. Two victims were found near the service door, one with a gold ring, a silver key and 1,356 sesterces. The name comes from Marcus Arrius Diomedes, whose tomb stands in front of the entrance. Look for: The garden and the pool. Park listing: 9:15 to 16:30, last entrance 16:15, with an earlier last access from Porta Ercolano at 15:30. Disabled access is from Via Villa dei Misteri by calling the Park first.

Antiquarium

Built by Giuseppe Fiorelli in 1873 and 1874 below the Temple of Venus terrace, overlooking Porta Marina. The Park’s guide lists a red palace fresco, a funerary statue of a man in a toga, a fresco of Venus on an elephant-drawn chariot, a bronze bust of Dionysus, a statue of Livia, wall inscriptions, a triclinium bed, jars of pigments including Egyptian blue, and plaster casts of victims. It has toilets and a shop. Look for: The Venus fresco, the pigments and the casts. Park listing: 9:15 to 16:20, last entrance 16:00. Marked with the Park’s accessible symbol.