Visiting Villa of Papyri in Pompeii I Herculaneum Ruins

What is Villa of the Papyr?

The Villa of the Papyri in Naples, is a fascinating archaeological site that offers a glimpse into the past of the ancient Roman Empire. Located in the scenic town of Herculaneum, this villa houses some of the most significant discoveries from the time period, including ancient manuscripts and sculptures.

Built in the 1st century BC, Villa of the Papyri is believed to have belonged to a wealthy Roman nobleman, and its remote location ensured the villa remained remarkably well-preserved. With an impressive atrium with a central pond, marble sculptures and paintings, and the famous library room, which housed over 1,800 scrolls of papyri that were painstakingly restored in the 1750s, it is a must-visit if you go to Herculaneum. Book lovers and history buffs, some of the writings include works by the philosopher Epicurus! 

While the exact identity of its final owner is not known, the villa is said to have belonged to the father-in-law of Julius Caesar, Lucius Calpurnius Piso Caesoninus, in the century before the eruption.

History of the Villa of the Papyri

The Villa of the Papyri, situated in the ancient Roman city of Herculaneum, belonged to Lucius Calpurnius Piso Caesoninus, Julius Caesar's father-in-law. In AD 79, Vesuvius's eruption buried Herculaneum under 30 meters of volcanic ash, preserving the villa and its library of 1,785 carbonized papyrus scrolls, known as the "Herculaneum papyri."

Unrolled and deciphered, these scrolls revealed Greek philosophical texts from the personal library of the Epicurean philosopher Philodemus.

Discovered in 1750, the villa attracted increased attention to Herculaneum's excavations. Interruptions occurred, with focus shifting to Pompeii until 1875. Resuming in 1927 under Amedeo Mauri until 1958, extensive exploration revealed the villa's structure. Stretching over 250 meters parallel to the Gulf of Naples, the villa featured an atrium, porticoed garden, and seaside entrance. The peristyles contained notable sculptures like the herma of Doryphorus and an Amazon by Apollonios.

The living quarters, arranged for ample sunlight and scenic views, housed the renowned library, with carbonized scrolls placed in wooden capsae and on shelves.

The villa's gardens, adorned with busts and statues, surrounded a large swimming bath. Ongoing archaeological efforts intermittently revealed more of its grandeur, affirming the Villa of the Papyri's status as a unique window into the intellectual and architectural legacy of the classical world.

Villa of the Papyri Today

Today, the Villa of the Papyri is an essential piece of history that marks the significance of the Roman Empire's influence on Italian culture. It is a symbol of the ancient times, where the wealthy and elite would live a life of luxury and extravagance. The artifacts and sculptures found here are evidence of the superb craftsmanship and artistic expressions of its creators. The excavation site is also a historical treasure that provides insight into the ancient world's advanced construction, engineering, and architectural techniques. 

The Villa of the Papyri is also a popular destination for tourists and scholars of history and archaeology. Visitors can witness the remains of the magnificent villa and its vast collection of artifacts and sculptures. They can also admire the beauty of the intricate frescoes, mosaics, and decorations that reflect the architectural and decorative styles of the ancient world. 

Fun Fact: After two centuries of research, archaeologists have discovered a way to use x-rays to analyze the ancient documents and scrolls unearthed here, without damaging them. By doing so, they were able to uncover text that had been lost since the catastrophic eruption of Mount Vesuvius Of the 1800 scrolls, only two can be read thus far.