Boar House

House of the Wild Boar Pompeii: Visiting Hours, Tickets, and Historical Significance

Date: 14/06/2025

Introduction

The House of the Wild Boar (Casa del Cinghiale) stands as one of Pompeii’s most evocative archaeological treasures, offering a vivid window into the artistry, architecture, and daily rituals of ancient Roman life. Located along the bustling Via dell’Abbondanza in Regio IX, this domus is renowned for its striking entrance mosaic of a wild boar attacked by dogs and its exceptionally preserved Dionysian frescoes. These elements, alongside the house’s elaborate layout and luxurious amenities, highlight the sophistication and social aspirations of Pompeii’s elite.

Whether you are a history enthusiast, art lover, or curious traveler, visiting the House of the Wild Boar promises an immersive journey through Roman domestic culture. This guide details everything you need to plan your visit, from hours and ticketing to architectural highlights, accessibility, and practical tips.

For official updates, ticketing, and the latest visitor information, consult the Pompeii Archaeological Park website and comprehensive guides (source 1, source 2).

Introduction
Visiting Hours and Tickets
Location and Accessibility
Architectural Features
Artistic Highlights: Dionysian Frescoes
Cultural and Social Significance
Practical Visitor Tips
Conservation and Recent Research
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Summary and Recommendations
Sources and Further Reading

Visiting Hours and Tickets

The House of the Wild Boar is part of the Pompeii Archaeological Park, which is open daily except January 1st, May 1st, and December 25th. Standard visiting hours are from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM, with last entry at 5:30 PM. During peak seasons, a visitor cap (20,000 per day) and timed entry slots are enforced to protect the site (pompeiisites.org).

Ticket Prices: Standard adult tickets cost around €16. Reduced rates apply for EU citizens aged 18–25, and children under 18 enter free with valid identification.
Purchasing Tickets: Advance online purchase is strongly recommended through the official platform to avoid queues, especially during high season or on free admission Sundays (when visitor numbers are capped at 15,000).
MyPompeii Pass: For €35, this annual pass offers unlimited access, shuttle services to nearby sites, and additional benefits (lifeinthepastlane.substack.com).
Guided Tours: Official tours (multilingual) can be booked at main entrances or online. Audio guides are available for approximately €5 per day, with deposit (kristatheexplorer.com).

Location and Accessibility

Getting There

Address: Regio IX, Insula 5, Via dell’Abbondanza, Pompeii
Entrances: Main access points are Porta Marina (with best accessibility features), Piazza Esedra, and Piazza Anfiteatro (thepompeii.com).
By Train: The Circumvesuviana line from Naples or Sorrento stops at Pompei Scavi–Villa dei Misteri station, a short walk from the park.
By Car: Paid parking is available near main entrances at rates of €3–€5 per hour (italy-sights.info). Shuttle buses link Pompeii to Herculaneum and Oplontis for pass holders.

Accessibility

Pompeii’s ancient terrain remains uneven in places, but major routes such as the “Pompeii for All” pathway at Porta Marina have ramps and accessible restrooms. Wheelchairs and strollers are available for rent. Some houses, including the Boar House, may have steps or thresholds—consult staff or the official accessibility guide before arrival. Amenities include cafés, restrooms, first aid, cloakrooms, and baby changing facilities.

Architectural Features

Urban Context and Layout

Situated on Via dell’Abbondanza—Pompeii’s main thoroughfare—the Boar House exemplifies the integration of residential and commercial life in the city. Its rectangular plan centers on an atrium with an impluvium (rainwater basin), surrounded by cubicula (bedrooms), a tablinum (reception room), and a lush peristyle garden. The domus also includes a private bath complex with frigidarium, tepidarium, and caldarium, heated via hypocausts—a luxury indicating the owners’ wealth (Archaeology Magazine).

Construction and Materials

Walls are built with local tufa, Sarno river sandstone, and brickwork using techniques such as opus incertum and opus latericium (Maria Milani). Floors feature opus signinum mortar and intricate mosaics, while walls are adorned with layered plaster and painted frescoes.

Artistic Highlights: Dionysian Frescoes

The Boar House’s most famous feature is its suite of Dionysian frescoes, executed in the Second Style (circa 40–30 BCE) (All That’s Interesting). These megalographs (monumental wall paintings) depict mythological rituals, ecstatic dances, animal sacrifice, and hunting scenes. Their iconography—maenads, satyrs, wild animals—reflects the influence of Dionysian mystery cults and the importance of religious ritual in elite Roman life.

Other rooms display Trojan War scenes, allegories of the seasons, and marine motifs in the baths. Frescoes are painted using the buon fresco technique, ensuring vibrant color and lasting detail.

The Boar House was both a private sanctuary and a stage for public display, its decoration asserting the owner’s status and piety. The Dionysian banquet hall, in particular, suggests use for cult gatherings and elite entertainment (All That’s Interesting). The house also contained commercial spaces (e.g., a fullonica/laundry and bakery), reflecting Pompeii’s blend of domestic and economic life.

Graffiti and inscriptions in the house reveal a lively urban community, with references to political campaigns, business, and daily affairs.

Practical Visitor Tips

Timing: Visit early morning or late afternoon to avoid crowds and summer heat.
Dress: Wear sturdy shoes for uneven pavements; bring sunscreen, a hat, and water (thepompeii.com).
Bags: Only small bags are permitted; larger backpacks must be checked at cloakrooms (pompeiisites.org).
Photography: Personal photography is allowed (no flash or tripods inside domus).
Restrooms: Facilities are located at entrances and throughout the park.
Eating: Permitted only in designated areas to protect archaeological remains.

Conservation and Recent Research

Ongoing conservation ensures the preservation of mosaics and frescoes. Recent excavations in Regio IX have uncovered new rooms and thermal complexes, expanding our understanding of Pompeian life (Archaeology Magazine). Restoration projects are funded by the Italian government, with visitor access expanding as more areas are stabilized.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What are the Boar House’s opening hours?
A: Daily 9:00 AM–7:00 PM (last entry 5:30 PM); closed Jan 1, May 1, Dec 25.

Q: How do I buy tickets?
A: Purchase online via the official platform or at entrances. Advance booking is advised.

Q: Is the Boar House accessible to visitors with disabilities?
A: Major routes are accessible; some areas may have steps. Consult staff or the accessibility guide.

Q: Are guided tours available?
A: Yes, official multilingual tours and audio guides are offered.

Q: Can I photograph inside the Boar House?
A: Yes, for personal use (no flash or tripods).

Summary and Recommendations

The House of the Wild Boar is a captivating testament to Roman domestic life, blending luxurious architecture, vibrant frescoes, and evidence of both social ritual and commercial activity. Its well-preserved art and strategic location make it a highlight for any Pompeii visitor. With improved accessibility, clear visitor guidelines, and ongoing research, the site invites modern explorers to connect with an ancient world.

Plan your visit by checking current hours, purchasing tickets in advance, and considering a guided tour or the Audiala audio guide app for deeper insight. For more information or to explore other Pompeian treasures, refer to the Pompeii Archaeological Park official website and related resources (source 1, source 2).