Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Casa del Bel Cortile & Casa di Nettuno e Anfitrite
Turning into Cardo IV from Decumano Massimo, you'll hit the Casa del Bel Cortile
(House of the Beautiful Courtyard). Inside lie three of the 300 skeletons discovered on the
ancient shore by archaeologists in 1980. Almost two millennia later, it's still a poignant
sight to see the assumed mother, father and young child huddled together in the last, terri-
fying moments of their lives.
Next door awaits the Casa di Nettuno e Anfitrite (House of Neptune and Amfitrite), an
aristocratic pad taking its name from the mosaic in the
nymphaeum
(fountain and bath).
The warm colours in which the sea god and his nymph bride are depicted hint at how lav-
ish 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 Case 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 Cardio 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