Essences of Ancient Pompeii Perfume House Revived

Pompeii: Ancient roses, violets, ruscus, cherry trees, and then vines and quince trees – ‘The Garden of Hercules’ of the ancient residence in Pompeii, also known as the “house of the perfumer,” has come back to life following an extensive restoration effort. This historic site is thought to have been a hub for the production and marketing of perfumes in the ancient world.

According to Ansa News Agency, the reopening of this domus was celebrated on Wednesday morning within the Archaeological Park of Pompeii. The site is now accessible to the public every Tuesday as the “house of the day.” The restoration and enhancement of certain internal spaces, as well as the garden, were achieved through a collaborative effort between public and private sectors, notably with the technical sponsorship of the Rosantiqua Association.

The restoration involved planting 800 ancient roses, 1,200 violets, a thousand ruscus plants, cherry trees, vines, and quince trees. Furthermore, the redevelopment of the garden space included the restoration of the original ground plan and an ancient irrigation system, a unique feature of Pompeii. The project also reconstructed the vine pergolas and planted botanical species documented during Roman times.

“The House of the ‘Garden of Hercules’ dates back to the 3rd century BC and owes its name to a marble statuette found in the garden’s lararium,” explained Gabriel Zuchtriegel, the director of the Archaeological Park. This terraced house of Pompeii is also known for the inscription “cras credo” (tomorrow we will have credit) that adorns its entrance.

At the time of the catastrophic eruption in 79 AD, the domus was undergoing restoration following damage from an earlier earthquake in 62 AD. The owner had expanded the property for specialized production. Despite the devastation of Vesuvius, evidence of perfume production and flower trade activities was uncovered during excavations in the 1950s, revealing pollen, spores, macro-vegetal remains, and various objects, alongside numerous glass bottles for perfumes, indicating the garden’s productive role.