POMPEII, THE HOUSE OF THE VETTII

After 8 years of work, the atrium of one of the most sumptuous Roman houses can be visited again. Various were the restoration works carried out there, starting from the realization of a roofing system that ensures adequate protection to the decorative scheme, made of frescoes and mosaics of valuable workmanship. In the sector concerned, all the decorations and plasters have been cleaned up.

Belonged to the brothers Aulo Vettio Restituto and Aulo Vettio Conviva, the house represents the luxury and the richness achieved by some inhabitants of Pompeii during the I century A.D. The two brothers were enriched by the trade in wine. Known to everyone is the itiphallic Priapus portrayed at the entrance, an emblem of well-being and fecundity, weighing his big phallus on a scale with a sack full of coins as the counterbalance.

The atrium has an impluvium decorated with marble and two safeboxes, symbol of the wealth accumulated by the owners, while on its sides open several winter cubicula and a triclinium finely frescoed with mythological episodes, such as Dedalo and Pasifae, the punishment of Ixion, Bacchus and Ariadne. Of course, there are decorations with Mercury, god protector of commerce, besides the goddess Fortuna, both symbols of good luck for the brothers and for their business. A visit not to be missed!