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.

Pompejanum
The Pompejanum
Alternative namesPompeiianum
General information
Architectural styleRoman
Town or cityAschaffenburg
CountryGermany
Coordinates49.978°N 9.136°E / 49.978; 9.136
Construction started1840
Completed1848
ClientLudwig I of Bavaria
OwnerBayerische Verwaltung der staatlichen Schlösser, Gärten und Seen
Design and construction
ArchitectFriedrich 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 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 a symbol for the enthusiasm for antiquity in the 19th century.[1][2]

The villa is a replica of a domus (or town house) in ancient Pompeii, the so-called House of Castor and Pollux (Casa dei Dioscuri), so named after a wall drawing, which was found in the entrance area of the ruined building.

During World War II the Pompejanum was heavily damaged and restored in phases beginning in 1960.[2]

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]

References
  1. "Pompeiianum". Bayerische Verwaltung der staatlichen Schlösser, Gärten und Seen. Retrieved 12 August 2014.
  2. "Aschaffenburg - Pompeiianum" (PDF). Bayerische Verwaltung der staatlichen Schlösser, Gärten und Seen. Retrieved 13 August 2014.

Further reading
  • Das Pompejanum in Aschaffenburg: Amtlicher Führer von Werner Helmberger und Raimund Wünsche (German), ISBN 978-3-932982-69-9
  • Simon, E.: Das Pompejanum in Aschaffenburg und seine Vorbilder in Pompeji (German). Aschaffenburger Jahrbuch 6, 1979, pp. 423-428
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