House of the small fountain

House of the Small Fountain is a Roman-era house in Pompeii, in the northwest part of the city on Via di Mercurio. Like the rest of Pompeii, it was preserved by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in or after October 79 CE. It makes a good stop for a short sightseeing walk through the ancient streets.

Na miejscu można liczyć przede wszystkim na:

• the house’s shell-decorated mosaic fountain at the back of the peristyle, which gives the building its name
• its position on Via di Mercurio, at the crossroads with Via delle Terme and Via della Fortuna, near Pompeii’s fortification tower XI
• the immediate proximity of the House of the Large Fountain, whose even larger shell-adorned mosaic fountain and marble sculptures of theatrical masks were excavated in 1826

If you are exploring Pompeii, this is best visited as part of a broader route through the archaeological site, with comfortable shoes and time to follow the street layout around Insula 8 on the west side of Via di Mercurio. It is a good choice for visitors interested in domestic Roman architecture and the way houses in Pompeii were distinguished by their decorative fountains.