Wall Inscriptions Still Visible in Pompeii

There is plenty of ancient wall inscriptions still visible in Pompeii. Many of them, especially the graffiti carved into wall plaster, are not very noticeable and are easily missed if you don't know where to look for them. Here are a few tips for locations where to spot painted (dipinti) and scratched (graffiti) wall inscription in Pompeii.

Some of the locations where ancient wall inscriptions can still be seen are marked on the map of Pompeii below. The best place to see different types of graffiti is the corridor leading into the large theater (no. 2). Many large painted notices can be seen along Via dell'Abbondanza, the main east-west thoroughfare of Pompeii (e.g. no. 5 & 6). Which houses are open to the public is subject to change, so check the current information on Pompeiisites.org.

1 Antiquarium

The exhibition at the Antiquarium includes a large piece of painted plaster from Casa del Criptoportico (I 6,2) with hunting scenes drawn in graffiti, and a fresco from the office of Verecundus (IX 7,7) with a painted electoral notice.

A fresco from Casa del Criptoportico.

Graffito depicting a hunt (a venatio?).

A fresco with electoral notices.

2 Theater corridor (VIII 7,20)

Numerous graffiti can be seen on both walls of the corridor leading into the large theater from Via Stabiana.

Drawing of a man with a large phallus peeing or ejaculating.

3 The Brothel / Lupanar (VII 12,18)

The small bedrooms on the south side of the corridor have many graffiti scratched on the walls. The largest number is in the first room on the left entering from Vicolo del Lupanare.

Graffiti in the brothel in the first room on the left.

4 Stabian Baths (VII 1,8)

Graffito drawings of ships and birds can be seen in the women's apodyterium between the shelves on one of the short walls.

Women's apodyterium.

Graffiti depicting a ship.

5 Thermopolium of Asellina (IX 11,2)

Many painted electoral notices can be seen outside of the bar of Asellina, both to the left and right of the bar and on the next wall to the east of the bar.

Bar of Asellina.

Electoral notices.

6 Casa di Trebius Valens (III 2,1)

To the right of the door III 2,1 a fragment of a wall plaster can be seen, painted with electoral notices and advertisements of gladiator shows. The wall was badly damaged by bombings during World War II. This plaster fragment is all that is left of the wall plaster that once covered the whole wall.

Painted notices on the facade of Casa di Trebius Valens.

Electoral notices and announcements of gladiatorial shows.

7 Casa della Nave Europa (I 15,3)

A large graffito drawing of a ship named Europa can be seen on the northern wall of the atrium between the doors leading into two smaller rooms.

The atrium of Casa della Nave Europa. The drawing is on the right.

8 Caupona of Musculus (I 7,14)

A few large electoral notices can be seen on the eastern wall of the caupona on the street.

9 Casa degli Amanti (I 10,11)

A number of graffito writings and drawings can be found in the entrance way to the house and in the peristyle, e.g. on the eastern wall of the peristyle.

A graffito on the back wall of the peristyle.

10 Casa degli Amorini dorati (VI 16,7)

Many graffiti can be seen on the walls of the entranceway coming in from Via Stabiana. Some more graffiti can be found in the columns of the peristyle.

Graffiti in the entranceway.

11 Casa delle Nozze d'Argento (V 2,i)

There are many graffiti e.g. in the atrium and in the preristyle. I haven't had the chance to visit the house yet because it has long been under renovation, but it has recently been reopened to the public.

12 Crossroads in regio V

There are many electoral notices painted on the walls around the crossroads between Vicolo delle Nozze d'Argento and Vicolo dei Balconi.

Electoral notices on the NW side of the crossroads.

Electoral notices in the NW corner of insula V 3.

13 Casa di Orione

A couple of electoral notices can be seen on the outside wall. Many graffiti can be seen on northern wall of the entranceway.

An electoral notice next to the entrance of Casa di Orione.

14 Casa del Giardino

A few graffiti can be seen on the doorposts of the entrance to the house. The now famous charcoal graffito with the date "October 17th" can be seen on the eastern wall of the atrium.

Entrance to Casa del Giardino.

A graffito on the doorpost to the right of the doorway.

Photos: Joonas Vanhala