Starting from January 7th, the special activities of the Ercolano Archaeological Park will reopen to the public, confirming the ongoing commitment to cultural promotion and heritage conservation. The new year begins with the cyclical opening of the historic Casa della Gemma, an authentic jewel of the Park known for its precious floor mosaics.
House of the Gem
The House of the Gem is named after a gem depicting a female portrait from the time of Claudius. Although originally thought to have been found in this house, it appears to have belonged to the nearby House of Granianus. This house was part of the House of the Relief of Telephus, probably belonging to the family of Marcus Nonius Balbus, and extended over three levels for a total of 1.800 square meters in the Augustan era. The house boasted a direct connection to the Suburban Baths and, in recent times, the complex was divided into three separate homes. One of the distinguishing features of the House of the Gem is its splendid black and white geometric mosaic located in the triclinium, an element of great attraction for visitors. Among its most famous residents, in the last days of the city's life, was Apollinaris, a renowned physician at the imperial court of Titus, remembered by an inscription in the house's latrine.
Close-up Shipyards Initiative
In parallel with the visit to the Casa della Gemma, the Archaeological Park renews the invitation to participate in the “Close-up Cantieri” project, which offers visitors the opportunity to explore behind the scenes of the ongoing restorations. The initiative includes the opening of sites of great historical and archaeological interest, some inaccessible for decades and currently undergoing restoration. This proposal continues to involve the public in the daily conservation work carried out by the Park staff, promising an enriching cultural experience for all history and archaeology enthusiasts.
Article published on 3 January 2025 - 12:14
It is a great initiative to reopen the Casa della Gemma, but I wonder if there are enough guides to explain the details to visitors. The history of Ercolano is very rich, but it is often not explained well.