🏺 House of the Garden of Hercules
(also known as the House of the Perfumer

The House of the Garden of Hercules, also referred to as the House of the Perfumer, is a Roman domus dating back to the 3rd century BCE, located in insula II.8.6 of ancient Pompeii. Its name comes from a small marble statue of Hercules discovered in the household shrine (lararium) set in the garden. An inscription at the entrance, cras credo (“credit tomorrow”), hints at a commercial function, possibly linked to the sale of perfumes.

Excavations revealed numerous glass vials and botanical remains, confirming that the house was used as both a residence and a perfume production site. After the 62 CE earthquake, the house was expanded by demolishing neighboring buildings to create a large garden where aromatic plants and flowers were cultivated for use in perfumes and ointments.

The 2025 Restoration

In 2025, the house underwent a major restoration and enhancement project focused on botanical and archaeological reconstruction. The garden was replanted with:

over 800 heritage roses, around 1,200 violets, 1,000 butcher’s broom (Ruscus), along with vines, cherry trees, and quince

The ancient Roman irrigation system—the only one of its kind discovered in Pompeii—was restored, and the statue of Hercules was reinstated in its original position in the lararium.

A Sensory Experience

Today, the house is open to visitors on select days and offers a unique blend of archaeology, botany, and the history of ancient perfumery. The scents of flowers, reconstructed garden structures, and traces of past activity create a rich sensory and educational journey through Pompeian daily life.