Villa of the Mosaic Columns, Pompei

Villa of the Mosaic Columns, Pompei

The Villa of the Mosaic Columns in Pompeii offers a fascinating peek into the grand architectural and artistic achievements of the Romans. Situated just outside the city walls and reachable through the Ercolano Gates, the villa gets its name from its standout feature: columns adorned with intricate mosaic designs. These columns, once integral to the villa's structure, are now housed in the Naples Archaeological Museum, preserving their vibrant beauty for future generations.

One of the villa's highlights is a mosaic fountain located in its interior garden, providing a rare glimpse into the opulent domestic life of ancient Romans. Its proximity to a nearby necropolis adds depth to its historical significance, reminding visitors of Roman customs and beliefs surrounding life and death.

The mosaic columns themselves are a testament to the skilled craftsmanship of the time, featuring intricate geometric, floral, and figurative patterns. Their vivid colors and meticulous details suggest that the villa was perhaps one of the most extravagant residences in the region. However, the ravages of time have taken their toll on the Villa of the Mosaic Columns, leading to the decision to relocate the columns to the National Archaeological Museum in Naples for preservation.

In addition to its famous columns, the villa includes multiple gardens and living quarters, though much of their original splendor has eroded with time. The second Garden G, accessible from the north side of Garden C and a corridor leading to Via delle Tombe, retains few traces of its original adornments, except for a Lalarium in its southwest corner. The main living quarters, characterized by a colonnade to the north, are in a state of near ruin, hinting at the villa's former glory now lost to time.

The Villa of the Mosaic Columns serves as a poignant reminder of Pompeii's rich cultural heritage, offering insights into the daily lives and artistic endeavors of its inhabitants.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Pompei. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Villa of the Mosaic Columns on Map

Sight Name: Villa of the Mosaic Columns
Sight Location: Pompei, Italy (See walking tours in Pompei)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark

Walking Tours in Pompei, Italy

Create Your Own Walk in Pompei

Create Your Own Walk in Pompei

Creating your own self-guided walk in Pompei is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Pompeii Introduction Walk II

Pompeii Introduction Walk II

Frozen at the moment it was buried under the thick blanket of ash and pumice, the city of Pompeii (now excavated) remains a unique window into the past, offering a snapshot of everyday life back in the 1st century AD Roman Empire. Aside from causing quick and unexpected death to the city, the huge eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD did have one positive outcome – it preserved everything (properties,...  view more

Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
Pompeii Introduction Walk I

Pompeii Introduction Walk I

Modern-day Pompei is best known for its ancient predecessor, the Roman city of Pompeii, that fell victim to the massive eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. The ruins of Pompeii, first uncovered in the late 18th century, were declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1997. Presently, this is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Italy, drawing annually up to 2.5 million visitors.

The...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.0 Km or 1.2 Miles