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The House of the Tuscan Colonnade, also known as Casa del Colonnato Tuscanico, is a prominent ancient Roman residence in Herculaneum, notable for its Tuscan-style peristyle columns and its origins as a merger of two earlier dwellings. Located in Insula VI.17, this house exemplifies the adaptive urban architecture of the early Imperial period, reflecting Herculaneum's evolution from Samnite roots to a prosperous Roman resort town. Spanning multiple levels with a focus on functionality and aesthetics, it was likely owned by a patrician or affluent individual, such as M(arco) Co(minio) Fru(gi), based on artifacts found there. The house highlights themes of Hercules, the city's legendary founder, through its decorations, underscoring Herculaneum's mythological heritage. Buried by the AD 79 eruption of Mount Vesuvius under hardened mudflows that preserved organic materials, it was excavated in the mid-20th century and underwent extensive restorations before reopening to the public in 2025. This site offers insights into Roman domestic life, post-earthquake reconstructions, and innovative conservation techniques for seismic-prone areas.
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The House of the Tuscan Colonnade is centrally positioned in ancient Herculaneum, with its main entrance on the Decumanus Maximus (the city's main east-west street) at VI.17, and a secondary entrance on Cardo III Inferiore. This dual-access design reflects its formation from two merged properties, allowing connectivity between different urban levels. Situated in the northwestern sector of Insula VI, it is adjacent to the Collegio degli Augustali (College of the Augustales) and near other notable sites like the House of the Wooden Sacellum. The location exploits Herculaneum's terraced hillside, providing views toward the ancient shoreline and integrating with the city's dense residential and commercial fabric. Coordinates are approximately 40.8062° N, 14.3478° E, within the Ercolano Archaeological Park, easily accessible from the park's main entrance via guided paths.
The house originated in the 2nd century BC as two independent
Samnite dwellings, possibly small atrium-style homes, during
Herculaneum's pre-Roman phase. These were unified in the early
Imperial period (likely 1st century AD), coinciding with urban
reorganizations that included the construction of the nearby
Collegio degli Augustali. This merger expanded the property, adding
features like the Tuscan peristyle and internal garden. The
structure was further modified after the AD 62 earthquake, which
necessitated widespread rebuilding in Herculaneum; during this
phase, street-facing rooms were converted into shops, enhancing its
commercial utility. By AD 79, it served as a multi-functional
residence, possibly for a patrician family, as evidenced by
luxurious elements and artifacts like a seal bearing the name
M(arco) Co(minio) Fru(gi).
Excavations were conducted under
archaeologist Amedeo Maiuri between 1959 and 1960, during the final
years of his directorship at the site. Initial restorations were
completed in the early 1970s, but the house remained closed for over
25 years due to structural instability and conservation needs.
Recent interventions, part of the Domus Project and supported by the
Packard Humanities Institute, focused on seismic vulnerability
studies, material replacements, and artifact preservation, leading
to its reopening in March 2025. Archaeological trenches during these
works confirmed the merger timeline and revealed earlier layers,
contributing to broader understandings of Herculaneum's urban
development.
The house's architecture is characterized by an inverted L-shaped
plan, resulting from the fusion of two 2nd-century BC blocks,
creating a spacious and adaptable layout. The main entrance (fauces)
from Decumanus Maximus is flanked by two tabernae (shops), one of
which (at no. 16) was originally a cubiculum opening onto the atrium
but later repurposed. The central atrium, measuring about 2.95
meters in height, features a tuff impluvium (rainwater basin)
originally from the Samnite era, later clad in marble and converted
into a fountain during the Imperial period for aesthetic and
functional enhancement.
A secondary corridor connects the atrium
to the peristyle, the house's namesake feature: a garden courtyard
enclosed by Tuscan columns (simple, unfluted Doric-style shafts)
supporting an entablature. This peristyle, added during the early
Imperial expansion, serves as the social and visual core, with a
triclinium (dining room) opening onto it via a wide entrance framed
by half-columns for optimal garden views. The western side houses
service areas, including a kitchen with a masonry counter, a
lararium (household shrine), and storerooms. Upper floors, accessed
by stairs, include additional rooms, some with balconies overlooking
neighboring properties.
The structure employs opus incertum
(irregular stone masonry) for foundations and lower walls, with
lighter materials above for earthquake resistance. Recent
restorations involved lifting and realigning the peristyle columns
by adding brick layers, replacing reinforced concrete beams with
wooden ones for authenticity and reduced weight, and repairing wall
crests to prevent water infiltration. This design balances privacy,
utility, and grandeur, adapting to Herculaneum's sloping terrain and
urban density.
Decorations in the House of the Tuscan Colonnade blend Third and
Fourth Pompeian Styles, emphasizing mythological and ritual themes
tied to Hercules, Herculaneum's founder. The eastern shop
(originally a cubiculum) features Third Style frescoes with
alternating red and blue panels over a black frieze, topped by blue
and white panels with mythical architecture and female figures on a
red background; a central scene depicts a sacrifice in Hercules'
presence, symbolizing the city's legendary founding. The atrium
retains partial Fourth Style frescoes, though faded, with traces of
intricate panels and architectural illusions.
The triclinium's
walls are adorned with images of Bacchus (Dionysus) and Apollo,
reflecting themes of wine, music, and divine patronage, framed by
ornate borders. The kitchen lararium displays a painting of
agathodemonic serpents (protective spirits) approaching offerings, a
common motif for household prosperity. The peristyle garden likely
featured naturalistic elements, though details are sparse.
Mosaics are not extensively documented, but the atrium's impluvium
and floors may include simple geometric patterns in opus
tessellatum.
Artifacts include 14 gold coins and a personal seal
inscribed with "M(arco) Co(minio) Fru(gi)," found in an upper-floor
room, suggesting the owner's identity and status. Charred wooden
elements, such as furniture fragments, were preserved in situ due to
the eruption's conditions, with recent conservation focusing on
their protection. These finds provide glimpses into daily life and
economic activities, underscoring the house's role as a lived-in
space rather than a purely elite villa.
As of August 25, 2025, the House of the Tuscan Colonnade is open to
the public following its March 2025 reopening after extensive
restorations under the Domus Project, a collaboration between the
Ercolano Archaeological Park and the Packard Humanities Institute. The
interventions addressed degradation from missing roofs, incompatible
modern materials (e.g., reinforced concrete), and seismic risks,
including plaster consolidation, floor repairs, and structural
reinforcements. The site now emphasizes in-situ preservation of charred
wood artifacts and enhanced visitor experiences through interpretive
signage.
Visiting hours align with the park: 8:30 AM to 7:30 PM
(March 16–October 15) or 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM (October 16–March 15), with
last entry 90 minutes before closing. Admission is €13 for adults (free
for EU citizens under 18 or over 65), or part of combined tickets with
Pompeii (€22). Guided tours and audio guides (€8) are available,
highlighting the house's unique merger and Hercules motifs. The site is
moderately accessible, with ramps in key areas, but the uneven ancient
terrain may require assistance for those with mobility issues—contact
the park in advance. Visitors rate it highly for its architectural
insights and frescoes, though it can be crowded during peak seasons.
Photography is permitted without flash, and modest dress is advised.
Combine visits with nearby sites like the Collegio degli Augustali for a
fuller understanding of Herculaneum's Imperial-era transformations.