House of the Library

The House of the Library is one of the elegant domus located in the Insula Occidentalis of Pompeii, a residential area that overlooked the Gulf of Naples. This zone extended from Porta Marina to Porta Ercolano, overlapping the ancient city walls.

The domus owes its name to one of its interior rooms, identified as a library, which features a splendid fresco depicting the dithyrambic Greek poet Philoxenus of Cythera, who lived in the second half of the 5th century BC.

Over the years, the House of the Library has undergone various events, including the bombing of 1943 and subsequent restoration interventions in the 1970s. Recently, stabilization and restoration works have been initiated to allow the public to once again admire this extraordinary testament to Pompeian life.

During archaeological excavations, evidence of fresco painting was uncovered, suggesting that work was being done at the time of the volcanic eruption. These findings provide insight into the artistic processes of the time.

The House of the Library offers a valuable window into the culture and art of ancient Pompeii, highlighting the importance of literature and knowledge in the daily lives of its inhabitants.