As you explore this magnificent structure, you'll notice that it is painted throughout in the Pompeian Fourth Style. This distinctive feature sets it apart from many other houses in Pompeii, which often have a mix of different styles from various periods. The House of the Prince of Naples preserves its decoration in a single style and period, making it a unique and valuable find.
Situated in Regio VI, Insula XV of the city, this house was formed by joining together two earlier houses. While it originally had two floors, the upper one has mostly collapsed due to the volcanic eruption. However, the lower floor still showcases the remarkable architectural and artistic elements of the time.
The atrium, designed in the Tuscan order, features a central impluvium, which collected rainwater. It is believed to have been restored shortly before the earthquake of 62 AD, which caused some damage to the structure. The frescoes in the atrium area represent the last phase of decoration and provide a glimpse into the artistry of the time.
Moving towards the rear part of the house, you'll discover richly decorated rooms surrounding the portico and a central garden. This area would have been a place of tranquility and beauty for the inhabitants. Interestingly, the front of the house faced the Viccola dei Vetti, and the spaces on either side of the main entrances may have served as shops.
On the north facade of the house, you'll notice holes that once held fixings for a canopy. This suggests that the house had an added level of grandeur and comfort, with shaded areas to protect its inhabitants from the sun.
During the excavation process, evidence of human habitation was discovered, including a skeleton, remains of food, and domestic possessions in many rooms. This confirms that the house was occupied at the time of the eruption, giving us a glimpse into the daily life of its residents.
The initial excavation of the House of the Prince of Naples began in October 1896, after the entrances were discovered during the excavation of the nearby House of the Vettii. The excavation team made various findings in different rooms, and the work continued until the end of December 1896. Further excavations resumed in February 1897, completing the clearing process of the kitchen and two cubiculums.
An official naming excavation took place in the spring of 1898, during which rich finds were made in two cubiculums, the tablinum, the triclinium, and the exedra. The excitement around this event even attracted a visit from the Grand Duke of Saxe-Weimar, resulting in more discoveries in the pantry and the room accessed through entrance 7, which housed a staircase to the upper floor.
To protect this historical treasure, since 1898, protective roofs have been erected over the House of the Prince of Naples. However, in 1972, many of the ancient walls of the upper story were removed to install flat concrete ceilings over the ground floor and tiled roofs over the atrium and porticus.
The construction of this house dates back to the 3rd century BC. The entrance, made entirely of opus incertum with cruma and lava, is a testament to its early construction. The limestone framework of the southern wall in the garden area also indicates its belonging to this earlier period. However, modifications were made over time, such as the addition of a dividing wall between the atrium and the portico.
During the late 2nd century BC, when Pompeii experienced a population expansion, structures like this house became hubs of urban commerce. Interestingly, the upper floor of this house, now demolished, was thought to have contained rooms that were possibly rented out as apartments.
