Pompeii returns the Dionysian ceiling of a banquet hall of the Regio IX

The presentation followed the International Workshop “Pompeii: excavations and ongoing research”, held at the Auditorium of the Archaeological Park, which saw a comparison between Italian and foreign institutions and universities involved in research activities within the Archaeological Park, with the aim of taking stock of the excavation campaigns and encouraging the sharing of results. The restoration of the ceiling, carried out on the fragments recovered during the archaeological investigations, made it possible to reconstruct over a quarter of the original composition, while keeping open the possibility of further additions thanks to the continuation of the research.

The fragments of the decoration belong to the vaulted ceiling of a banquet room which was located on the upper floor (the upper room) of the House. The discovery of the fragments in the site of the collapse allowed the archaeologists to attribute their provenance with certainty and to start an initial recomposition during the excavation, identifying numerous connections between the fragments. The restoration started from this preliminary work of recomposition, developing a path that integrated conservation activities, archaeological study and design of the exhibition. The intervention was limited to the fragments whose location was sufficiently documented, allowing a significant portion of the decoration to be reconstructed without altering its legibility and in compliance with the principles of recognizability and reversibility of the restoration.

The most innovative element of the entire project is represented by the design of the new support intended for recomposing the fresco. Unlike a traditional flat panel, the system was developed in parallel with the progress of the restoration, since only the progressive recomposition of the fragments allowed the original curvature of the vault to be precisely defined. The support was therefore designed to restore the spatiality of the decorative apparatus, guarantee the conservation of the fragments and, above all, allow future implementations. The modular structure allows, in fact, to add new fragments without compromising the reconstruction already carried out, transforming the restoration into an open and updatable process.

This characteristic takes on particular importance because the recomposition cannot be considered completed. Numerous fragments pertaining to the ceiling are in fact preserved separately and others could emerge in the continuation of the investigations in the House with Bakery of the Regio IX. The solution adopted therefore allows us to integrate any new elements that may be identified in the future, progressively updating the reconstruction on the basis of new archaeological acquisitions.

The reconstructed decoration reveals a complex figurative project, developed around a large central panel, surrounded by aedicules, borders, plant festoons, allegorical figures of the seasons, winged genies and numerous ornamental elements. The whole is characterized by a rich polychromy and a complex succession of decorative motifs which testify to the high quality of the original decoration. The main theme of the ceiling can be traced back to hierogamy, or the sacred union between Dionysus and Ariadne. Although the central scene is only preserved in a fragmentary way, the reconstruction was possible through comparison with other ancient works. At the center of the composition Dionysus is depicted lying on the chariot, in front of Ariadne intent on playing the harp, accompanied by a cypher hero, while the chariot is pulled by two musical centaurs. The identification of the subject is confirmed by the presence of numerous references to the Dionysian world distributed throughout the entire decorative apparatus. Ritual symbols of the cult of Dionysus, theatrical masks, libation tools and other elements that celebrate the divine couple represented at the center of the vault appear among festoons full of fruit and flowers.

«Italy is a world leader in archaeological restoration and Pompeii, with its restorers’ office – declares director Gabriel Zuchtriegel – is a central piece. This is why we are happy to share the results of our conservation projects with the whole world, which are always also opportunities for research and comparison.”

The recovery of the fresco is part of the line of studies dedicated to the Dionysian theme, chosen by the Archaeological Park of Pompeii as the underlying theme of the 2026 initiatives. The interest in this theme has been strengthened by the recent discoveries in the House of Thiasus of the Regio IX, where between 2024 and 2025 one of the most important megalographs found so far emerged, depicting a procession dedicated to the god Dionysus.

The second edition of “Esopop – Stories in Festival”, entitled “Ecstatic Pompeii”, will also be dedicated to the mysteries of the Dionysian cult. The Pompeii Archaeological Park project will bring live theatrical performances to the cultural sites of the Vesuvian area every Friday and Saturday, from 28 August to 26 September 2026, on the occasion of the evening openings of the Park. The initiative intends to enhance the archaeological heritage through the language of theatre, creating a dialogue between scientific research, new discoveries and contemporary cultural enjoyment. (by Paolo Martini)