House of the Faun

The House of the Faun is a large Roman domus in the archaeological site of Pompeii, Campania, notable for its size, high-quality mosaics and the bronze statuette of a dancing faun from which its name derives. The building dates to the Hellenistic and early Roman period and is among Pompeii’s most important private residences.

Interior highlights include a large central atrium and a peristyle garden surrounded by richly decorated reception rooms and floors with elaborate mosaics. The house originally contained the famous Alexander Mosaic, a detailed tessellated panel depicting Alexander the Great that was removed from the site for conservation and is now displayed in Naples.

The House of the Faun was built and expanded in the Hellenistic and Republican periods and was buried and preserved by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79. It was excavated during the 18th century and has since been the subject of archaeological study and conservation.

The house is located within the ruins of Pompeii, which lie about 25 kilometers southeast of the city of Naples on the Bay of Naples.

• Scale of the house: The house covers roughly 3,000 square meters, making it one of the largest private residences excavated at Pompeii.

What to See #

• Peristyle and living quarters: The central peristyle garden and surrounding rooms form the core of the house, with mosaic pavements and decorative floors throughout the complex.
• Triclinium and mosaics: The triclinium and reception rooms originally contained large figurative floor mosaics, including the famous Alexander Mosaic which was removed for preservation and is now exhibited in Naples.
• Private baths and service rooms: Small private baths and service areas demonstrate the domestic layout and amenities of an elite Roman domus in Pompeii.