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House of the Great Portal (Casa del Gran Portale) (Herculaneum)

The House with the Great Portal got its name because of its front door with brick Corinthian half columns on both sides. Corinthian capitals are also covered with the image of the winged goddess of victory, Nike. The terracotta canal system in the home garden collected rainwater into the tank of the house. Apparently, after the earthquake of 62 years, the owner’s affairs were shaken and he had to rent out some of the premises for the local shopkeeper.

The house with the Great Portal was built on the site of the old peristyle of the neighboring Samnite House. Initially, there was a large estate, but the owner of the house became impoverished and abandoned the large garden. The whole braid of the house was sold to the new owners who built the House with a Great Portal. The name of this dwelling was given for a large front door that leads into the house. On both sides of the entrance are brick half-columns topped with Corinthian capitals from the carved winged goddesses Nike. The pavement was added later along the length of the facade indicating the boundaries of the site, indicating that it does not include the southeast corner of Insula. The first floor of the estate was well preserved, but the second floor was a little less fortunate. Most were destroyed during the eruption of Mount Vesuvius.

The toilet in the house with the Great Portal was located under the stairs, which led to the second floor, but collapsed. Drains go to the general sewer. Thanks to these drains, archaeologists were able to learn a lot about the diet of the inhabitants of Herculaneum.