Pompejanum

The Pompejanum (or Pompeiianum) is an idealised replica of a Roman villa, located on the high banks of the river Main in Aschaffenburg, Bavaria, Germany. It was commissioned by King Ludwig I and built in the 1840s. The villa is a replica of a domus in Pompeii, the so-called House of Castor and Pollux (Casa dei Dioscuri).

Pompejanum
The Pompejanum
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Alternative names	Pompeiianum
General information
Architectural style	Roman
Town or city	Aschaffenburg
Country	Germany
Coordinates	49°58′41″N 9°08′10″E
Construction started	1840
Completed	1848
Client	Ludwig I of Bavaria
Owner	Bayerische Verwaltung der staatlichen Schlösser, Gärten und Seen
Design and construction
Architect(s)	Friedrich von Gärtner

Location

The Pompejanum is situated on the high bank of the river Main in the city of Aschaffenburg, in the Lower Franconia region of Bavaria. It is located within sight of Schloss Johannisburg. The Pompejanum is surrounded by a small Mediterranean garden, first created in the 19th century when the building was constructed.

History

The inner courtyard

The interior with replicas of wall-painting

The Pompejanum was commissioned by King Ludwig I and built in the years 1840-1848 according to the plans of the court architect Friedrich von Gärtner. The Pompejanum was not intended as a royal villa, but as a demonstration that would allow art lovers in Germany to study ancient culture. The building is considered to be an example of the enthusiasm for classical antiquity in the 19th century.^[1][2]

During World War II the Pompejanum was heavily damaged and restored in phases beginning in 1960.^[2] A Roman bust found in Texas in 2018, believed to be of Sextus Pompeius, will be returned to the museum in 2023.^[3]

Today

Since 1994, the Pompejanum houses original Roman art works from the collections of the Staatliche Antikensammlungen and the Glyptothek in Munich. The building also hosts temporary exhibitions.^[2]