Ancient oven in Pompeii, Italy with stone construction

House With A Bakery (Vi.6.17)

House With A Bakery (VI.6.17) Pompeii: Visiting Hours, Tickets, and Historical Significance

Date: 14/06/2025

Introduction

Pompeii, the ancient Roman city famously entombed by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 CE, offers modern visitors a vivid glimpse into life nearly two millennia ago. Among its many archaeological wonders, the House With A Bakery (VI.6.17) stands out as a prime example of the integration of domestic life and commercial enterprise. This unique site not only illustrates the architectural ingenuity of the Romans but also illuminates the essential role bakeries played in Pompeian society as centers of food production, social interaction, and economic activity (Pompeii in Pictures; Planet Pompeii).

Introduction
Visiting Hours and Ticket Information
Historical and Cultural Context
Architectural Layout and Features
Daily Life and Work in the Bakery
Technological Innovations
Visitor Experience: Travel Tips and Accessibility
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Conclusion
References

Visiting Hours and Ticket Information

The House With A Bakery is part of the broader Pompeii Archaeological Park. The park is typically open daily from 9:00 AM to 7:30 PM (last entry at 6:00 PM) from April to October, and 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (last entry at 3:30 PM) from November to March. It is closed on January 1 and December 25.

Tickets can be purchased online or at the entrance. General admission is approximately €16–€18, with discounts for EU citizens under 25 and free entry for children under 18. Your ticket grants access to all open sites within the park, including the House With A Bakery. Booking tickets in advance is recommended, especially during peak tourist seasons (Pompeii Archaeological Park).

Guided tours focusing on Pompeii’s commercial life, including bakeries, are available and can greatly enrich your visit. Audio guides and mobile apps such as Audiala offer additional layers of interpretation.

Historical and Cultural Context

Bakeries in Pompeii

By the time of the eruption, Pompeii was a bustling city where commerce and daily routines were tightly interwoven. Bakeries, numbering over thirty-five across the city, were vital centers for bread production and social exchange. Most homes lacked private ovens, so residents relied on commercial bakeries for fresh bread—a staple of the Roman diet (History and Archaeology Online).

Bakeries like VI.6.17 served not just as producers but also as communal ovens for citizens who brought their own dough to be baked for a small fee. They were embedded in social networks, with frescoes elsewhere in Pompeii showing bread distribution as acts of public charity and political maneuvering. These establishments were often staffed by enslaved laborers, whose difficult conditions are revealed by recent archaeological findings (My Modern Met).

Architectural Layout and Features

Urban Context and Access

The House With A Bakery (VI.6.17) is located in Regio VI, Insula 6, at the intersection of Via delle Terme and Via Consolare—two major ancient streets. Its prominent corner position ensured high visibility and accessibility for both locals and travelers arriving through the nearby Porta Ercolano gate (Pompeii in Pictures; Planet Pompeii).

Layout

The complex includes:

Sales Shop (VI.6.21): Street-facing, used for displaying and selling bread.
Bakery Production Area (VI.6.17): Located behind the shop, featuring millstones (querns), a large brick oven, and workspaces for dough preparation.
Residential Quarters: Likely housed the owner and staff, although the exact arrangement is still under study.

Key Features

Millstones: Three basalt lava querns, powered by humans or animals, ground grain into flour (History and Archaeology Online).
Oven (Fornax): Large, dome-shaped, brick-and-stone oven with flue and smoke vents for heat regulation.
Workspaces and Storage: Floor bins and terracotta water pots for dough and flour storage, and a possible stable or storeroom for animals.
Lararium: A household shrine with a serpent motif, indicative of religious practices.
Decorative Elements: Stucco reliefs and painted motifs, including a controversial cross-like design once thought to be Christian (Pompeii in Pictures).

Daily Life and Work in the Bakery

Bread Production

Each day began early: enslaved workers and animals powered the mills, flour was kneaded (possibly with mechanical aids), shaped, and stamped with marks identifying the bakery. Loaves were then baked in the oven and sold through the shopfront (History and Archaeology Online).

The bakery’s labor force was mostly enslaved, highlighting the stark social hierarchies of Roman society. Workers toiled in confined, utilitarian spaces, while owners enjoyed better-furnished living quarters attached to the bakery (My Modern Met).

Technological Innovations

Roman bakeries featured several technological advancements:

Volcanic Stone Mills: Durable and efficient for grinding grain.
Large Brick Ovens: Engineered for even heat and mass production.
Mechanical Kneaders: Evidence from some sites suggests use of machines to reduce labor (History and Archaeology Online).
Water Supply: Terracotta pots and piped water supported dough preparation.

Visitor Experience: Travel Tips and Accessibility

Accessibility

The House With A Bakery is partly accessible; however, cobblestones and uneven terrain may challenge visitors with mobility issues. Comfortable shoes are essential. Check the official park website for the latest accessibility information.

Travel Tips

Best Times: Early morning or late afternoon to avoid crowds and heat.
Amenities: Restrooms and cafes are available near entrances.
Guided Experiences: Enhance your visit with official tours or audio guides.
Nearby Sites: Don’t miss the Forum, Villa of the Mysteries, and other bakeries in Regio VI.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What are the opening hours for the House With A Bakery?
A: The site is open during standard Pompeii Archaeological Park hours (typically 9:00 AM to 7:30 PM; last entry at 6:00 PM).

Q: Is a separate ticket required?
A: No, entry to the archaeological park covers all open sites including the bakery.

Q: Are guided tours available?
A: Yes, through the park and reputable travel providers.

Q: Is the site accessible for visitors with disabilities?
A: Some areas may be difficult to access; contact the park for up-to-date accessibility options.

Conclusion

The House With A Bakery (VI.6.17) is a remarkable testament to the commercial vitality and daily routines of ancient Pompeii. Its preserved mills, ovens, and sales areas bring the story of Roman bread production to life, while its integration with the city’s urban plan underscores the importance of bakeries as both economic and social institutions. By visiting this site, you’ll gain a deeper appreciation for the ingenuity and complexity of Roman society, as well as the enduring legacy of Pompeii’s vibrant urban culture.