Last Day of Pompei

While at Paestrum we bought a couple of Campagna 365 Arte cards, which give you access to all the cultural and historical sites in Campagna--hundreds, seemingly; it is one of Italy's largest provinces--two visits each, actually. We have been using these cards for a month, indeed visiting a couple of places more than once. Thus, our second visit to Pompei, to see the Villa of the Mysteries, a few more of the houses that require reservations, and the Surburban Baths. Another full but edifying day.

At the Villa of the Mysteries, a working farm/villa just

outside Pompei's walls on the north; the (reconstructed)

wine press



What the Villa of the Mysteries is named for is a large room

with frescoes recording the initiation rite, for a young bride,

into the Dionysan mystery; it is one of the more beautiful

and complete frescoes in situ

More

The bride being prepared for the wedding

Detail, reading the rites

Us at the Villa of the Mysteries



In another house

Another large home, peristyle atrium, et cetera

Plaster casts in the Garden of the Fugitives

A particularly large old umbrella pine in a grove at Pompei

Another house, another fresco

Ditto

In the Suburban Baths, privately owned, one room has three

kamasutra-style wall panels; only one survives, but here

it is (of course, closer-ups are available on request); just

outside the walls, near the Porta Marina

Beautiful water-fall feature in another room

Detail

Another; happily, we saved one of the best places for last