Macellum of Pompeii

The Macellum of Pompeii is the Roman market building in the archaeological city of Pompeii, Campania, Italy, and functioned as the town’s food market. It dates to the Roman Republican and Imperial periods and served as a central commercial facility in the urban layout.

The building contains a central courtyard flanked by a series of tabernae or shop units, counters and service areas that were used for selling meat, fish, produce and other foodstuffs. Architectural and surface remains visible today include stone counters, shop fronts and paving that convey the market’s original function.

Archaeological evidence shows the Macellum was in use in the Roman period, suffered earthquake damage in AD 62 and was rebuilt or repaired before the destructive eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79, which buried Pompeii. Excavations in the 18th and 19th centuries exposed the structure and subsequent conservation has made it accessible to visitors.

The Macellum stands within the excavated city of Pompeii, roughly 23 kilometres southeast of Naples on the Bay of Naples, and is located close to the city’s Forum and other civic buildings.

• Preservation: The building was in active use when Mount Vesuvius erupted in AD 79 and is one of the better-preserved market buildings in the city of Pompeii.
• Visitor tip: Best visited early in the day to avoid the largest crowds and to view details of stalls and shop fronts with lower visitor density.

What to See #

• Central courtyard: Central courtyard - an open area that formed the market's focal point and housed stalls and counters for retailing foodstuffs.
• Tabernae: Surrounding tabernae - a ring of shop spaces and workshops around the market used for selling goods and services in the Roman town plan.
• Nearby forum: Proximity to the Forum - located close to Pompeii's Forum and other civic buildings, integrating commercial and public life.