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Ancient ruins and archaeological excavation site in Pompeii Regio VI, Vicolo dei Vettii, Italy

Region Vi Of The Archaeological Excavations Of Pompeii

Pompeii, Italy

Pompeii Region VI Visiting Hours, Tickets, and Historical Sites Guide

Date: 04/07/2025

Introduction

Pompeii, Italy, stands among the world’s most extraordinary archaeological sites—a city frozen in time by the catastrophic eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. Within its boundaries, Region VI emerges as a particularly fascinating district, blending opulent private residences, bustling commercial establishments, and significant public spaces. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of Region VI, including historical context, must-see highlights, visiting hours, ticketing information, accessibility, and practical travel tips, all designed to help you make the most of your journey into the heart of ancient Roman civilization (Nomad Epicureans; UNESCO).

Table of Contents

Historical Evolution of Pompeii

Origins and Early Development

Founded between the 7th and 6th centuries BCE by the Oscans, Pompeii’s strategic location near the Sarno River and Bay of Naples encouraged vibrant trade and cultural exchange. Over time, it absorbed influences from Etruscans, Greeks, and Samnites, ultimately being incorporated as a Roman colony in 80 BCE after the Social War (Nomad Epicureans).

Roman Pompeii: Urban Flourishing

By the 1st century CE, Pompeii had evolved into a prosperous port city with a population exceeding 20,000. Its grid-like layout featured forums, temples, bathhouses, and theaters, alongside bakeries, workshops, and marketplaces that powered its economy (The Tour Guy; Savoring Italy).

The 79 AD Catastrophe

On August 24, 79 AD, Mount Vesuvius erupted, enveloping Pompeii beneath 4–6 meters of volcanic ash and debris. This tragedy preserved homes, artifacts, and even the forms of its residents, creating a unique archaeological record (Nomadic Matt; Savoring Italy).

Rediscovery and Archaeological Significance

Pompeii lay hidden for over 1,500 years until its rediscovery in 1748. Systematic excavations revealed a city remarkably intact, allowing visitors to walk ancient streets and experience Roman life as it was on the eve of destruction. In 1997, Pompeii was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, underscoring its cultural and historical importance (UNESCO).


Understanding Pompeii’s Archaeological Divisions

The modern division of Pompeii into nine regiones (regions) aids both excavation and visitor navigation. While these do not reflect ancient administrative boundaries, they help organize the city’s diverse urban landscape and guide exploration of residential, commercial, and public spaces (Madain Project).


Region VI: Layout, Context, and Key Highlights

Geographic Placement and Urban Character

Region VI occupies the northwestern quadrant of Pompeii, bordered by the ancient city walls and served by main thoroughfares like the Via Consolare and Via di Mercurio (Pompei Scavi Map). This area was a prestigious residential district, home to Pompeii’s elite, as well as a thriving hub for commerce and daily life.

Noteworthy Archaeological Sites

House of the Faun (Casa del Fauno, VI.12.2)

One of Pompeii’s largest and most luxurious homes, covering almost an entire city block, the House of the Faun is famed for the Alexander Mosaic (depicting the Battle of Issus), dual atria, expansive peristyles, and Greek-inspired artistry (Nomad Epicureans; The Roman Guy).

House of the Tragic Poet (Casa del Poeta Tragico, VI.8.3)

Renowned for its iconic “Cave Canem” (“Beware of the Dog”) mosaic, this house features mythological frescoes and reflects the cultural sophistication of Pompeii’s upper class (The Geographical Cure).

House of Sallust (Casa di Sallustio, VI.2.4)

Among the oldest homes in Pompeii, the House of Sallust boasts a large atrium, peristyle garden, and a thermopolium (ancient snack bar) opening onto the street—demonstrating the integration of domestic and commercial life.

Additional Highlights

  • Bakery of Modestus (VI.3.18): A well-preserved bakery complete with millstones and ovens.
  • Shops, Taverns, and Public Fountains: Line the Via Consolare, exemplifying the district’s economic vibrancy.
  • House of the Surgeon (Casa del Chirurgo, VI.1.10): Site of ancient surgical instruments, shedding light on Roman medicine (Robinson et al., 2008).

Artistic and Cultural Significance

Region VI is a treasure trove of Roman art, featuring frescoes and mosaics spanning several styles. The diversity of housing—from grand villas to modest apartments—reflects the city’s social stratification and daily rhythms.

Recent Discoveries and Preservation Efforts

Continued excavations and conservation, particularly under the Great Pompeii Project, have uncovered new rooms, frescoes, and artifacts, deepening our understanding of urban planning and social structures. Conservation policies now include daily visitor caps, time-slot entry, and bag restrictions to protect sensitive areas (UNESCO; WorldTours Italy).


Essential Visitor Information

Visiting Hours

  • Standard opening: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM (last entry: 6:00 PM)
  • Hours may change seasonally or for special events—always confirm on the official site.

Tickets and Entry

  • General admission: ~€16; reductions for EU citizens aged 18–25; free for under 18.
  • Tickets available online and at entrances (booking in advance is strongly advised).
  • Combination tickets with Herculaneum or the Naples Archaeological Museum offer added value (Along Dusty Roads).

Accessibility

  • Many main routes are accessible, but uneven ancient paving can pose challenges.
  • Ramps and designated accessible paths are marked; wheelchairs are available at entrances (Untold Italy).

Getting There and What to Bring

  • Transport: Pompeii is accessible by train from Naples and Sorrento; main entrances include Porta Marina and Piazza Esedra.
  • Essentials: Comfortable walking shoes, hat, sunscreen, water bottle, and a detailed map or guidebook.
  • Facilities: Restrooms near entrances; limited food options inside—consider bringing snacks (A Broken Backpack).

Crowd Management and Etiquette

  • Arrive early or visit late in the day to avoid crowds.
  • Stay on marked paths, avoid touching artwork, and refrain from using flash photography.
  • Only small bags allowed; luggage storage is available at Pompeii Scavi station (WorldTours Italy).

  • Entrances: Porta Marina is closest and most convenient for Region VI.
  • Recommended Stops: House of the Faun, House of the Tragic Poet, House of Sallust, Bakery of Modestus, and the commercial streets.
  • Tours: Guided tours (including skip-the-line access) and audio guides are available and highly recommended for context and navigation (Krista the Explorer).

Visual and Interactive Resources

  • High-quality images, maps, and virtual tours are accessible through the official website and trusted travel platforms.
  • Suggested visuals:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What are the opening hours for Pompeii Region VI?
A: Daily, 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM (last entry at 6:00 PM); check for seasonal changes.

Q: How do I buy tickets?
A: Online via the official website or at main entrances; online booking is recommended.

Q: Is Region VI accessible for those with mobility issues?
A: Some accessible routes exist, but uneven terrain can be challenging. Consult site resources for details.

Q: Are guided tours available?
A: Yes, in multiple languages—guided or self-guided options are available.

Q: Can I take photos?
A: Yes, but tripods and drones require permission, and flash is prohibited.


Conclusion

Region VI offers a unique window into ancient Roman society, combining monumental artistry with glimpses of everyday life. Whether you’re captivated by the Alexander Mosaic or intrigued by the hum of ancient bakeries, a well-prepared visit allows you to walk in the footsteps of Pompeii’s past. Use this guide to inform your journey, reserve your tickets in advance, and respect the heritage that has survived for nearly two millennia.

Stay updated on visitor tips, special events, and new discoveries by downloading the Audiala app and following official Pompeii channels. Your adventure into the heart of the ancient world starts here!


Sources and Further Reading

Visit The Most Interesting Places In Pompeii

Aedicula Tomb Of Publius Vesonius Phileros
Aedicula Tomb Of Publius Vesonius Phileros
Amphitheatre Of Pompeii
Amphitheatre Of Pompeii
Bakery (Ix.1.3)
Bakery (Ix.1.3)
Boar House
Boar House
Casa Del Forno
Casa Del Forno
Casa Del Menandro
Casa Del Menandro
|
  Casa Del Triclinio All'Aperto
| Casa Del Triclinio All'Aperto
Casa Della Nave Europa
Casa Della Nave Europa
Casa Della Regina Carolina (Viii 3.14)
Casa Della Regina Carolina (Viii 3.14)
Casa Di Diana
Casa Di Diana
Casa Di Ercole Ed Auge
Casa Di Ercole Ed Auge
Casa Di L. Aelius Magnus
Casa Di L. Aelius Magnus
Casa Di Marco Lucrezio Fronto
Casa Di Marco Lucrezio Fronto
Casa Di Pane
Casa Di Pane
Casa Di Stallius Eros
Casa Di Stallius Eros
Casa Di Trittolemo
Casa Di Trittolemo
Casa Senza Nome I.12.9.
Casa Senza Nome I.12.9.
Castellum Aquae
Castellum Aquae
Caupona Of Lucius Betutius (Vetutius) Placidus
Caupona Of Lucius Betutius (Vetutius) Placidus
Caupona (Vi.14.1)
Caupona (Vi.14.1)
Caupona (Viii.5.20)
Caupona (Viii.5.20)
Central Baths
Central Baths
Dye Shop Of Ubonius (Vii.2.11)
Dye Shop Of Ubonius (Vii.2.11)
Eumachia Building
Eumachia Building
Fabbrica Del Sapone
Fabbrica Del Sapone
Forum Baths, Pompeii
Forum Baths, Pompeii
Forum Granary
Forum Granary
Fullonica Of Sestius Venustus
Fullonica Of Sestius Venustus
Great Theatre Of Pompeii
Great Theatre Of Pompeii
Horticultural Plot (Viii.6.2)
Horticultural Plot (Viii.6.2)
Hotel?
Hotel?
House (Ix.10.1)
House (Ix.10.1)
House Of Cryptoporticus (I.6.2)
House Of Cryptoporticus (I.6.2)
House Of Julia Felix
House Of Julia Felix
House Of L. Caecilius Phoebus
House Of L. Caecilius Phoebus
House Of Leda And The Swan
House Of Leda And The Swan
House Of Mercurio (Vii.2.35)
House Of Mercurio (Vii.2.35)
House Of Octavius Quartio
House Of Octavius Quartio
House Of Pansa
House Of Pansa
House Of Pompeius Axiochus
House Of Pompeius Axiochus
House Of Sallust
House Of Sallust
House Of Severus
House Of Severus
House Of The Centenary
House Of The Centenary
House Of The Chaste Lovers
House Of The Chaste Lovers
House Of The Dioscuri  (Vi.9.6)
House Of The Dioscuri (Vi.9.6)
House Of The Faun
House Of The Faun
House Of The Lararium Of Achilles
House Of The Lararium Of Achilles
House Of The Large Fountain
House Of The Large Fountain
House Of The Painters At Work
House Of The Painters At Work
House Of The Prince Of Naples
House Of The Prince Of Naples
House Of The Quadrigae (Vii.2.25)
House Of The Quadrigae (Vii.2.25)
House Of The Silver Wedding
House Of The Silver Wedding
House Of The Surgeon
House Of The Surgeon
House Of The Wild Boar
House Of The Wild Boar
House Of Titus Terentius Neo
House Of Titus Terentius Neo
House Of Titus Terentius Proculus
House Of Titus Terentius Proculus
House Of Trebius Valens
House Of Trebius Valens
House (Viii.4.30)
House (Viii.4.30)
House (Viii.4.33)
House (Viii.4.33)
House (Viii.6.1)
House (Viii.6.1)
House (Viii.6.3)
House (Viii.6.3)
House (Viii.6.4)
House (Viii.6.4)
House (Viii.6.5)
House (Viii.6.5)
House (Viii.7.6)
House (Viii.7.6)
House With A Bakery (Vi.6.17)
House With A Bakery (Vi.6.17)
Inn Of The Gladiators
Inn Of The Gladiators
Little Theatre Of Pompeii
Little Theatre Of Pompeii
Lupanar
Lupanar
Macellum Of Pompeii
Macellum Of Pompeii
Mensa Ponderaria (Vii.7.31)
Mensa Ponderaria (Vii.7.31)
Necropolis Of Porta Nola
Necropolis Of Porta Nola
Officina Tinctoria Of Terentius
Officina Tinctoria Of Terentius
Palaestra Of The Iuvenes
Palaestra Of The Iuvenes
Pistrinum
Pistrinum
Pompeii Necropolis
Pompeii Necropolis
Pompeii Regio I Insula 10
Pompeii Regio I Insula 10
Pompeii Regio I Insula 9
Pompeii Regio I Insula 9
Pompeii Regio Viii Insula 2
Pompeii Regio Viii Insula 2
Porta Di Stabia
Porta Di Stabia
Porta Herculaneum
Porta Herculaneum
Porta Marina (Pompeii)
Porta Marina (Pompeii)
Porta Nocera Necropolis
Porta Nocera Necropolis
Porta Nola
Porta Nola
Porta Vesuvio
Porta Vesuvio
Porta Vesuvio Necropolis
Porta Vesuvio Necropolis
Public Administration Buildings
Public Administration Buildings
Region I Of The Archaeological Excavations Of Pompeii
Region I Of The Archaeological Excavations Of Pompeii
Region Iii Of The Archaeological Excavations Of Pompeii
Region Iii Of The Archaeological Excavations Of Pompeii
Region Iv Of The Archaeological Excavations Of Pompeii
Region Iv Of The Archaeological Excavations Of Pompeii
Region Ix Of The Archaeological Excavations Of Pompeii
Region Ix Of The Archaeological Excavations Of Pompeii
Region V Of The Archaeological Excavations Of Pompeii
Region V Of The Archaeological Excavations Of Pompeii
Region Vi Of The Archaeological Excavations Of Pompeii
Region Vi Of The Archaeological Excavations Of Pompeii
Region Vii Of The Archaeological Excavations Of Pompeii
Region Vii Of The Archaeological Excavations Of Pompeii
Region Viii Of The Archaeological Excavations Of Pompeii
Region Viii Of The Archaeological Excavations Of Pompeii
Sarno Baths
Sarno Baths
Shop (Ix.2.2)
Shop (Ix.2.2)
Shop (Ix.2.3)
Shop (Ix.2.3)
Shop (Ix.6.F)
Shop (Ix.6.F)
Shop Of Aurelius
Shop Of Aurelius
Shop (Vi.10.10)
Shop (Vi.10.10)
Shop (Vi.10.12)
Shop (Vi.10.12)
Shop (Vi.14.15)
Shop (Vi.14.15)
Shop (Vi.8.13)
Shop (Vi.8.13)
Shop (Vii.5.25)
Shop (Vii.5.25)
Shop (Vii.5.3)
Shop (Vii.5.3)
Shop (Viii.4.19)
Shop (Viii.4.19)
Shop (Viii.4.20)
Shop (Viii.4.20)
Shop (Viii.4.21)
Shop (Viii.4.21)
Shop (Viii.4.25)
Shop (Viii.4.25)
Shop (Viii.4.39)
Shop (Viii.4.39)
Shop (Viii.5.25)
Shop (Viii.5.25)
Shop (Viii.5.30)
Shop (Viii.5.30)
Shop (Viii.6.8)
Shop (Viii.6.8)
Shop (Viii.7.11)
Shop (Viii.7.11)
Shop With Dwelling (Ii.3.8)
Shop With Dwelling (Ii.3.8)
Shop With Dwelling (Vii.4.22)
Shop With Dwelling (Vii.4.22)
Stabian Baths
Stabian Baths
Stable (Viii.4.42)
Stable (Viii.4.42)
Stables And Hospitium
Stables And Hospitium
Steps To Upper Floor (Vi.8.7)
Steps To Upper Floor (Vi.8.7)
Suburban Baths
Suburban Baths
Taberna Hedones (Vii.2.44)
Taberna Hedones (Vii.2.44)
Taberna Phoebi
Taberna Phoebi
Temple Of Apollo
Temple Of Apollo
Temple Of Asclepius
Temple Of Asclepius
Temple Of Jupiter
Temple Of Jupiter
The Garden Of The Fugitives
The Garden Of The Fugitives
Thermopolium
Thermopolium
Thermopolium (I.3.2)
Thermopolium (I.3.2)
Thermopolium (I.3.22)
Thermopolium (I.3.22)
Thermopolium I.7.8.
Thermopolium I.7.8.
Thermopolium (Vi.8.8)
Thermopolium (Vi.8.8)
Thermopolium (Vii.4.4)
Thermopolium (Vii.4.4)
Tomb Of Aesquillia Polla
Tomb Of Aesquillia Polla
Tomb Of Caius Vestorius Priscus
Tomb Of Caius Vestorius Priscus
Tomb Of Eumachia
Tomb Of Eumachia
Tomb Of Gnaeus Alleius Nigidius Maius
Tomb Of Gnaeus Alleius Nigidius Maius
Tomb Of Lucius Barbidius Communis And Pithia Rufilla, Acris, Aulus Dentatius Fortunatus, Aulus Dentatius Felix, Aulo Dentatio A. L. Celso, Pompeia Aucta, L. Barbidio Vitali, Vitalis, Ianuarius
Tomb Of Lucius Barbidius Communis And Pithia Rufilla, Acris, Aulus Dentatius Fortunatus, Aulus Dentatius Felix, Aulo Dentatio A. L. Celso, Pompeia Aucta, L. Barbidio Vitali, Vitalis, Ianuarius
Tomb Of Lucius Sepunius Sandilianus
Tomb Of Lucius Sepunius Sandilianus
Tomb Of Marcus Alleius Minius
Tomb Of Marcus Alleius Minius
Tomb Of Marcus Obellius Firmus
Tomb Of Marcus Obellius Firmus
Tomb Of Marcus Tullius
Tomb Of Marcus Tullius
Tomb Of Marcus Veius Marcellus
Tomb Of Marcus Veius Marcellus
Tomb Of Publius Flavius Philoxsenus And Flavia Agathea
Tomb Of Publius Flavius Philoxsenus And Flavia Agathea
Tomba Delle Ghirlande
Tomba Delle Ghirlande
Torre Di Mercurio
Torre Di Mercurio
Triangular Forum
Triangular Forum
Villa Delle Colonne A Mosaico
Villa Delle Colonne A Mosaico
Villa Of Diomedes
Villa Of Diomedes
Villa Of The Mysteries
Villa Of The Mysteries
Workshop
Workshop
Workshop And Stable Yard
Workshop And Stable Yard
Workshop (I.3.7)
Workshop (I.3.7)
Workshop Of Verus The Blacksmith
Workshop Of Verus The Blacksmith