PHOTO: Inner Courtyard of the National Museum of Archeology in Naples, Italy

Inner courtyard of the National Museum of Archeology in Naples, Italy

Inner courtyard of the National Museum of Archeology in Naples, Italy, which houses most of the major finds from the excavations of Herculaneum and Pompeii, including a “Secret Room” that contains all the erotic art discovered at the two sites. No visit to the two Roman ruins is complete without a visit to this museum, … Read more

PHOTO: Ruins of the House of the Wooden Partition at Herculaneum, Italy

House of the Wooden Partition at Herculaneum, named for doors turned to charcoal by volcanic eruption

House of the Wooden Partition at the Roman ruins of Herculaneum, Italy is named for the series of folding panels that closed off the atrium from the main living area. Decoratively carved, with metal rings and supports for hanging oil-lamps, the doors were instantly turned to charcoal when super-heated mud from the eruption of Mount … Read more

PHOTO: Magnificent Entrance at House of Large Portal in Herculaneum, Italy

Magnificent portal at Herculaneum leads to stunning wall frescoes in ruined house

Looking through the magnificent brick columns and lintel at the House of Large Portal in Herculaneum, Italy, to the beautifully preserved frescoes that decorate the walls of the inner courtyard and rooms. The entrance was built after the earthquake in 62 AD, reusing Hellenistic tufa capitals that symbolize Victory. This house, along with all others … Read more