Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
right of the Casa del Salone Nero. This ancient consumer information listed everything
from from the weight of goods to their price.
Further east along Decumano Massimo, a crucifix found in an upstairs room of the
Casa del Bicentenario (Bicentenary House) provides possible evidence of a Christian
presence in pre-Vesuvius Herculaneum.
Casa di Nettuno e Anfitrite
Turning into Cardo IV from Decumano Massimo, you'll soon hit the Casa di Nettuno e
Anfitrite (House of Neptune and Amfitrite), an aristocratic pad taking its name from the
extraordinary mosaic in the
nymphaeum
(fountain and bath). The warm colours in which
the sea god and his nymph bride are depicted hint at how lavish the original interior must
once have been.
A quick walk further southwest along Cardo IV leads you to the women's section of the
Terme del Foro, the Terme Femminili. Though smaller than its male equivalent, it boasts
finer floor mosaics - note the beautifully executed naked figure of Triton in the
apodyteri-
um
(changing room).
Casa del Tramezzo di Legno
Across the Decumano Inferiore is the Casa del Tramezzo di Legno (House of the Wooden
Partition), which unusually features two atria. It's likely that the atria belonged to two sep-
arate houses merged together in the 1st century AD. Predictably, the most famous relic
here is a wonderfully well-preserved wooden screen, separating the atrium from the
tablinum
, where the owner talked business with his clients. The second room off the left
side of the atrium features the remains of an ancient bed.
Casa dell'Atrio a Mosaico
Further southwest on Cardo IV, ancient mansion Casa dell'Atrio a Mosaico (House of the
Mosaic Atrium) harbours extensive floor mosaics, although time and nature have left the
floor buckled and uneven. Particularly noteworthy is the black-and-white chessboard mo-
saic in the atrium.
Backtrack up Cardo IV and turn right at Decumano Inferiore. Here you'll find the Casa
del Gran Portale (House of the Large Portal), named after the elegant brick Corinthian
columns that flank its main entrance. Step inside to admire some well-preserved wall
paintings.
Casa dei Cervi
Accessible from Cardo V, the Casa dei Cervi (House of the Stags) is an imposing example
of a Roman noble family's house which, before the volcanic mudslide, boasted a seafront
address. Constructed around a central courtyard, the two-storey villa contains murals and
