House of Orpheus

The House of Orpheus contains rooms arranged around a central atrium with an impluvium, following the traditional layout of Roman elite residences.

Archaeological excavations in 1834 and 1874 uncovered the structure, revealing inscriptions on its entrance walls promoting Gnaeus Helvius for public office.

The west wall of the peristyle displays frescoes depicting Orpheus, demonstrating the Roman practice of incorporating Greek mythological themes into domestic spaces.

The house presents multiple chambers for visitors to explore, including preserved entrance corridors with IVth Style plaster decorations on the walls.

A plaster cast of a chained guard dog remains at the entrance, capturing the final moments before Mount Vesuvius buried the city in volcanic ash.

Location: Pompei

Part of: Pompeii Regio VI Insula 14

Address: Scavi archeologici di Pompei - Regio VI - Insula 14 - 20

GPS coordinates: 40.75179,14.48582

Latest update: March 3, 2025 00:16