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House of the Inn (Casa dell' Albergo) (Herculaneum)

The House of the Inn, known in Italian as Casa dell'Albergo, is one of the most prominent and expansive archaeological sites in the ancient Roman city of Herculaneum (modern Ercolano, Italy). Buried under volcanic ash and pyroclastic flows during the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 CE, it exemplifies the opulent lifestyle of Roman elites while also reflecting post-disaster adaptations in urban living. Originally constructed during the Augustan period (late 1st century BCE to early 1st century CE), it began as a luxurious private villa for a patrician family, boasting sea views and high-end amenities. The structure was severely damaged in the earthquake of 62 CE, after which it was repurposed—likely due to economic pressures or the owner's impoverishment—into an inn or commercial lodging facility (albergo), incorporating shops and workshops. This conversion highlights broader trends in Herculaneum following the quake, where wealthy citizens expanded properties by acquiring and rebuilding damaged neighboring homes. At the time of the 79 CE eruption, the house was undergoing major renovations, which contributed to its fragmented preservation. Its massive size—spanning about 2,150 square meters and occupying roughly three-fifths of Insula III—initially led archaeologists to misidentify it as a hotel, a notion now refined to emphasize its hybrid residential-commercial role.
Excavation began in the 18th century with Bourbon-era tunnels, which partially explored the site but caused significant damage through breaches, looting, and structural weakening. Systematic digs resumed in 1852 under Carlo Bonucci, though much went unreported, and open-air excavations from 1927 to 1929 under Amedeo Maiuri fully uncovered the eastern and southern sections. Today, as part of the Parco Archeologico di Ercolano, it remains in poor condition, with ongoing conservation needs to enable deeper study of its history and decorations. The site's significance lies in its illustration of Roman social mobility, urban adaptation after natural disasters, and the integration of private luxury with public commerce in a coastal town accessible from nearby harbors.

Architecture and Layout

Situated at Insula III.1/2/18/19, the House of the Inn fills nearly an entire city block in Herculaneum's southern district, with a rectangular plot adapted to the sloping terrain near the ancient shoreline. It features a multi-level design divided into upper and lower sections, revolving around a central atrium and two full four-sided peristyle gardens that provided light, ventilation, and leisure spaces. The primary entrance (labeled 'a' in archaeological plans) is on the west side of Cardo IV Inferiore, leading into a simple lobby-like atrium (b/2) with columns, which served as a transitional space connecting to the bath suite and other areas. A secondary rear entrance on Cardo III Inferiore provides access to service corridors. The facade on Cardo IV is unassuming, emphasizing functionality over grandeur.
The house encompasses approximately 30 rooms, blending rustic service quarters with elaborate reception areas. Construction techniques include opus reticulatum masonry for walls, mosaic and opus signinum flooring, and barrel-vaulted ceilings reaching up to 5.50 meters high. Porticoes surround sunken gardens, with large windows in south-facing rooms offering panoramic sea views. Post-62 CE modifications added commercial elements, such as a store (m) and a six-room complex (l) on the north side, while some areas were closed for structural stability. Drainage systems feature cisterns and puteals, essential for water management in this hillside location. The first floor is relatively well-preserved, but the second was largely destroyed during the eruption or early excavations. A ramp at the south end of Cardo IV Inferiore led to an arched gateway accessing the seashore, underscoring its strategic coastal position.

Key Features and Rooms

The layout prioritizes both privacy and utility. The main vestibule (1) connects to the atrium, offering views across south-side rooms. One of the standout features is the large peristyle (31), a sunken garden with porticoes on the east, north, and west sides, including a mosaic-floored south portico and doorways to adjacent spaces. This area, sometimes planted with lemon trees or a pear orchard, served as a leisurely courtyard.
Service rooms on the lower west level (G, H, I, L, M) are more rustic and partially destroyed; room G contains hearth traces and a corridor (later blocked) to Cardo III, while I includes steps to a cellar for storage. The oecus triclinium (E-D), a well-preserved dining and reception space, features two doorways, a vestibule, a high star-decorated barrel vault, and a signinum floor with geometric mosaic tesserae. Room F, a less intact living area, has a collapsed vault but retains perimeter walls and sea-facing openings. Prestigious south-side rooms (23, 24, 25, 26) open onto a large terrace (22) supported by square pillars (now collapsed), providing elevated views over the ancient beach.
Room 12 in the southeast corner and an unnumbered room south of 32 (rear of the caldarium) include steps and painted areas. The integrated bath suite, a rare private luxury, includes a caldarium, though much of its decoration is lost. Room 32 on the east side near Cardo IV contains a vat or basin, with corridors linking to vestibules and adjacent properties (III.1 and III.2).

Decorations and Artifacts

Decorative elements reflect Roman aesthetic sophistication. Mosaic floors appear in the south portico and oecus triclinium, featuring geometric tesserae patterns. Walls in key rooms like E-D display a black zoccolo (base) with alternating red and black panels, and yellow accents on some surfaces. Vaulted ceilings in reception areas are adorned with star motifs, enhancing the sense of grandeur. Bath decorations have largely faded, but the overall style aligns with Fourth Style Pompeian frescoes common in Herculaneum. Notable artifacts include a hearth and oven in room G, large terracotta pots containing preserved flour (indicating bakery operations post-conversion), and scattered painted fragments. The site's poor state limits further artifact recovery without restoration.

Current Status and Visitor Experience

Today, the House of the Inn is accessible within the Herculaneum archaeological park, though its dilapidated condition—due to volcanic damage, early tunneling, and incomplete excavations—makes it one of the site's more challenging areas to interpret. Visitors often note its vast scale but ruined appearance, with reconstructed elements like portico roofs aiding visualization.