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

The House of the Great Portal (Casa del Gran Portale), located at Insula V.35 in the ancient Roman town of Herculaneum (modern Ercolano, Italy), is a well-preserved domestic structure buried by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 CE. Situated on the south side of Decumanus Inferiore (the main east-west street), it occupies a prominent urban position near the ancient shoreline, reflecting the town's affluent seaside character. The house derives its name from the imposing entrance portal, framed by brick half-columns with Corinthian capitals adorned with winged Victories (Nike figures), originally stuccoed and painted red, surmounted by a terracotta architrave and brick lintel with a projecting cornice. This grand façade, evoking Hellenistic influences, underscores the owner's status, possibly a member of the local elite. Built in the mid-1st century CE during the Claudian period (41–54 CE), it was constructed on the site of an earlier Samnite peristyle (from the 4th–1st century BCE), incorporating reused tufa columns, and underwent post-62 CE earthquake renovations, including wall reconstructions and redecoration in Room 1.

Excavation history is tied to early 20th-century efforts: systematic open-air digs began in 1933–1934 under archaeologist Amedeo Maiuri, who documented the site in his 1977 guidebook Ercolano. Bourbon tunnel explorations in the 18th century likely removed minor elements, but the mudflow burial preserved organic traces better than in Pompeii. As part of the Parco Archeologico di Ercolano, the house is open to visitors (8:30 AM–7:00 PM, €13 entry), with reviews highlighting the entrance's drama and vivid frescoes, though noting its compact scale compared to grander villas like the House of the Deer. Recent studies (as of 2025) emphasize its seismic adaptations, with digital reconstructions aiding tourism.

Overall Layout and Architectural Features

The House of the Great Portal features a compact, rectangular plan (ca. 250–300 square meters) adapted to Herculaneum's grid, with a north-south orientation for light and views. The layout centers on a multifunctional courtyard (12) serving as an atrium and rainwater collector, flanked by reception and service rooms. Entry from Decumanus Inferiore via the fauces (corridor 13) leads to vestibule 11, branching west to the courtyard and east to public spaces like the triclinium (1). A central axis emphasizes the courtyard, with corridors (e.g., 8) distributing to private areas (cubicula 5, 7) and utilities (kitchen 9). The design divides into two angled parts connected by a corridor, reflecting post-Samnite reuse—embedded tufa columns in the fauces likely from the adjacent Samnite House's peristyle.
Architecturally, it employs opus reticulatum (diamond-patterned tuff masonry) for walls, with brick elements in the portal and vaults. The courtyard sits elevated for drainage, featuring a cistern mouth and impluvium-like basin. Multi-story construction includes upper galleries (evidenced by beam holes) and stairs in the kitchen to private quarters. Post-62 CE repairs are evident in Room 1's reconstructed walls. Key features: low doorways for security, windows for ventilation, and waterproof cocciopesto floors. The house's intimacy contrasts with sprawling villas, prioritizing efficient urban living with elite touches like the portal.

Room-by-Room Description

The house comprises 10–12 identifiable spaces across ground and upper levels, labeled numerically per Maiuri's plans. Descriptions integrate structural, functional, and visual details.

Entrance Portal and Fauces (Corridor 13): Grand north-facing doorway (ca. 2.5m wide) on Decumanus Inferiore, framed by red-painted brick half-columns with Corinthian capitals featuring winged Victories; terracotta architrave above. The corridor extends south (ca. 4x2m), with embedded tufa columns in the east wall (reused from Samnite peristyle); steps at the south end ascend to vestibule 11. Branches west to courtyard 12.
Vestibule 11: Transitional space (ca. 3x3m) at the corridor's south end, with doorways north (to fauces), south (to exedra 4), and west (to cubiculum 3). Serves as a buffer for guests; elevated floor aligns with courtyard.
Courtyard/Atrium 12: Multifunctional open space (ca. 5x4m) west of fauces, higher than surrounding rooms for light/air; central impluvium basin with cistern mouth for rainwater. Doorways/windows to ala 10 (east), diaeta 6 (west); low pluteus (parapet) edges for plants. Acts as light well.
Ala 10: Reception wing east of courtyard (ca. 4x3m), with doorways north (to cubiculum 5 via corridor 8) and south (to diaeta 6). North-south orientation for views; upper walls preserved.
Diaeta 6 (Garden Room): West of ala 10 (ca. 4x3m), accessed via south doorway; semi-private lounge with south window. Mosaic floor with central opus sectile emblem (marble inlays); elevated for garden feel.
Exedra 4: South of vestibule 11 (ca. 3x4m), possible semi-public seating alcove; doorways north (vestibule) and east (corridor?); north-east corner views suggest display niche.
Triclinium 1: East of vestibule (ca. 5x4m), main dining room; doorways west (vestibule) and east (oecus 2). Post-earthquake reconstruction; three-sided for couches.
Oecus 2: East of triclinium (ca. 4x3m), formal reception; doorway west to triclinium; north-facing for light.
Cubiculum 3: North of vestibule (ca. 3x3m), private bedroom; doorway south from vestibule; enclosed walls.
Corridor 8: North of ala 10 (ca. 2x4m), service passage; doorways south (ala), east (cubiculum 7), west (cubiculum 5).
Cubiculum 5: West of corridor 8 (ca. 3x3m), secondary bedroom; doorway east from corridor.
Cubiculum 7: East of corridor 8 (ca. 3x3m), private space; doorway west from corridor.
Kitchen 9: Northeast corner (ca. 3x4m); L-shaped hearth/bench on west wall, latrine in southeast under stairs to upper floor; doorways south (corridor 8), east (possible storage).

Upper floors: Private galleries/rooms accessed via kitchen stairs; limited excavation, but beam holes indicate wooden balconies.

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.

Decorations, Artifacts, and Significance

Decorations are predominantly Fourth-Style (ca. 45–79 CE), with illusory architecture and mythological/natural motifs on red/black grounds, post-earthquake in key rooms. Triclinium 1: North wall central panel of Silenus seated between satyrs watching Ariadne and Dionysus (vibrant reds, detailed figures); west wall upper panels with birds/fruits; east wall plaster remnants. Ala 10: West wall central bird eating cherries; south wall upper panels with garlands. Diaeta 6: South/west walls stucco reliefs (recomposed sections with floral/figural motifs); east wall above window with architectural details. Courtyard 12: East/west walls with geometric borders. Overall: Satyr/theatrical masks in reliefs, Dionysian/garden scenes evoking nature and revelry; cocciopesto floors with marble accents.
Artifacts are modest: Reused tufa columns (architectural); carbonized wood traces (beams/doors); no major statues or jewelry noted, but wall paintings (detached panels possibly in Naples' MANN) are primary "finds." A 62 CE collapse in triclinium yielded repair evidence (fresco over rubble).