POMPEII RUINS - RESTORATION OF THE PAINTINGS OF SOME SHOPS ALONG VIA DELL'ABBONDANZA

Soprintendenza archeologica diPompei and the centre DIAPREM of the Department of Architecture of the University of Ferrara, as well as to the sponsoring from the firm Fassa Bertoldo and the American Foundation Kacyra Family, have restored the wall paintings of some termopolia (shops) inside the archaeological area of Pompeii has begun.
These wall paintings including various electoral inscriptions are to be found along via dell'Abbondanza and are among the most important and representative of Pompeii. Restoration work will be carried out on the façades of the officina coactiliaria (felters' shop), of the officina infectoria (dye works with furnace) and of Asellina's Thermopolium (an inn).

The façade of the officina infectoria (dye works with furnace) is characterised by the presence of great paintings, reproducing various gods invoked as protectors of the activity. We find, in fact, the Pompeian Venus among three cherubs as well as, on the lintel, the faces of four gods, viz., from the left, the sun-god, Jupiter, Mercury and the moon-goddess. In the last pier we can see the procession of Cibelis, while in a niche we come across the bust of Dionysius. Over the cauldron, on the right side of the façade, a winged phallus is represented inside a little stucco temple.

The signs of the bar and some electoral inscriptions are still to be seen on the façade of Asellina's Thermopolium, a renowned Pompeian inn. Of all the locals and shops giving on via dell'Abbondanza, Asellina's Thermopolium, a place where hot drinks are served, must have been one of the most popular in the neighbourhood. At the entrance, in fact, on both sides, a series of wall inscriptions remind the visitor of the support given by the owner and the waitresses of the local to the candidates in the election.
The bar found during the excavation is still to be seen inside the Thermopolium as well as all the equipment for the activity of the local, including a set of pots used to drink or to keep drinks warm or cold.

On the façade of the felts' shop there is a wall painting portraying, on the upper part, a Pompeian Venus standing on a quadriga drawn by four elephants; next to her, on the left side, we find the image of the goddess Fortune and, on the right side, the image of Genius.
On the underside, separated by a frame, we can see some phases of the process of wool working, surmounted by an electoral inscription.

The restoration project avails itself of an advanced 3D technology supplied by the Kacyra Foundation of the American firm bearing the same name which invented the three-dimensional laser scan system. Thanks to the surveys which have been carried out, a 3D data bank of the area of the Fori Civili in Pompeii has been created. As a consequence, the project of restoration and protection of the wall paintings of Regio IX, Insulae 7 and 11 has been developed.

We offer shore excursions from the port of Naples (or Sorrento) for cruise ship passengers wishing to visit Pompeii, Capri and the Amalfi Coast. We arrange private shore excursions from the port of Naples (or Sorrento) that are generally more economical than the cruise ship shore excursions offered by the cruise lines. On all our tours from Naples we use English-speaking drivers & air-conditioned Mercedes ( or similar make vehicles). When necessary like in Pompeii, You are accompanied by local expert guide.

This is the oldest existing Basilica, dating back to the 2nd century B.C. The seat of the law courts was here and commercial and financial transactions also took place. After a portico comes the main entrance, which opened on the forum and, differently from the majority of basilicas, is located on one of the building’s short sides. The tribunal, part of the Basilica where the law-courts were, was on the short side, opposite the entrance, and consisted in a two meter high podium on top of which were six Corinthian columns. There are no stairs to the podium, this suggests that it could only be reached through wooden stairs, which could be removed in order to separate the ... continue

(Apic. 4, 2, 35) Ingredients:

• 1 kg pears (peeled and without core)
• 6 eggs
• 4 table spoon of honey
• 100 ml Passum or wine ‘passito’
• a little bit oil
• 50ml Liquamen, or 1/4 table spoon of salt
• 1/2 tsp ground cumin
• ground pepper to taste

Instructions:
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Mix cooked and peeled pears (without core) together with pepper, cumin, honey, Passum, Liquamen and a bit of oil. Add eggs and put into a casserole. Cook approximately 30 minutes on small to moderate heat. Serve with a bit of pepper sprinkled on the soufflé.