THREE-HOUR GUIDED TOUR OF POMPEII WITH ITS VILLA OF THE MYSTERIES WITH AN ARCHAEOLOGIST

Why is our guided tour of Pompeii so unique ?

When the 79 AD eruption of Mount Vesuvius took place, Pompeii was completely buried with ash and pumice stones. Thus  the everyday life with  its artifacts, statues, mosaics, and any other buildings along with its inhabitants froze  in time for one thousand and five hundred years. By accident, Pompeii was rediscovered at the end of the XVI century and later unearthed. Like no other place in the world, you’ll enjoy a fully-guided 3-hour tour of an absolutely magnificent  archeological area. Walk along the streets like Pompeian residents two thousand years before, with their hustle and bustle, follow their footsteps as they went about  their daily lives.

Follow your private archaeological guide in this amazing experience concluding  with the visit of the Villa of the Mysteries with its colorful frescoes and marvelous mosaics.

Villa of the Mysteries:

The Villa of the Mysteries is the most famous suburban dwelling in Pompeii and boasts the only series of paintings in the world with an initiation rite dedicated to Dionysus, in Greek mythology, the god of wine and the grape harvest.  Its colors still shine through, the intricate web of numerous details on the walls which makes these frescoes extremely  important and unique.

Perhaps this spectacular home belonged to the Istacidii family dating back to the second century. B.C. with subsequent transformations until the time of the 79 AD. eruption . The wall decorations vary on the historical period during which were carried out: the tablinum (living room) is mainly painted in black  while in the pictorial cycle of the Mysteries red is the predominant color.

Like many other buildings of the Roman city, this fantastic home has  undergone major restoration work lasting almost two years. The restoration focused on  all of the villa decorations, mosaics and paintings whose conservation was the main aim. During the restoration, the villa has been closed to the public for several months and has only recently been reopened to visitors.

The Salon of the Mysteries in the so-called Villa of the Mysteries in Pompeii:

In the Villa of the Mysteries of Pompeii,  a cubicle with two alcoves located to the south of the tablinum leads to the famous salon decorated with frescoes after which the villa is named. This can be considered  most famous painting of antiquity as a result of the unusual life-size dimensions of the figures. According to the most part of the scholars this cycle is considered the rite of initiation into Dionysiac mysteries.

Beginning with the left wall the ritual is read by a nude boy between two matrons: a girl with a tray of offerings moves towards a seated sacrificing figure seen from the back, and assisted by two attendants.  Next comes an old Silenus playing the lyre, a young satyr and the nymph (panisca) nursing a kid. In addition, a terrorized woman is ready to flee at the sight of the flagellation of one of her companions that is taking place in the opposite corner.

The back wall begins with an old Silenus offering a young satyr  drink, while another satyr raises a theater mask over his head. The center of the wall is occupied by Dionysius leaning on the lap of Ariadne who is seated on the throne. They are followed by the unveiling of the phallus, symbol of fertility. This part shows the flagellation of a woman while a nude maenad dances in an orgy of ectasy.  Then comes the preparation of a young bride, as she waits for the initiation rite, assisted by two cupids and a matron.  Finally a seated matron with her head covered, probably the owner of the house, who observes the entire scene.

N.B.: The schedule is the classic  one, but it is possible to arrange any three-hour  tour of Pompeii by including any other monument you wish.

Watch the video explaining my three-hour guided tour of Pompeii with the Villa of the Mysteries.