House of the Pansa, Pompei

The House of the Pansa is a large mansion building which occupies an entire block of his historic city. Whilst the central and rear portions of the house are residential, almost all of the rooms adjacent to the surrounding streets were let out by the owner, Gnaeus Aleius Nigidius Maius. It is believed that they were used as shops, store rooms and living quarters. Archaeologists even discovered a sign put up by the owner, advertising units available to rent. The house’s main entrance is located on the via delle Terme. The building was first excavated in 1810, before three further digs between 1813 and 1852. It was fully unearthed in 1943.

The house’s many rooms are centered around a large, Tuscan style atrium with a well preserved central impluvium, a basin used for collecting rain water. Beyond the atrium, the house’s central courtyard widens to incorporate a central peristyle. It features sixteen Ionic columns which once supported the peristyle roof. They are one of the best preserved features of the building. Sadly, many of the house’s decorative features have been eroded by the elements. Those in charge of preserving Pompei face a constant battle to keep the city’s ornate frescoes and decorative features safe from the elements, particularly within buildings, like the House of the Pansa, which were discovered first.