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.