Pompeii Archaeological Park reopens 'Perfumer's House'

After undergoing a long restoration process, the so-called "Garden of Hercules" was reopened to the public by the Archaeological Park of Pompeii, in Italy.

With centuries-old roses, violets, cherry trees and several other types of plants, the space is located in an ancient residence in Pompeii, also known as the "House of the Perfumer", due to the production and sale of perfumes that took place there before the eruption of Vesuvius.

The revitalization of the garden area of ​​the historic residence included the planting of botanical species documented in Roman times and the restoration of the original layout of the space and the old irrigation system.

"The house in the 'Garden of Hercules' dates back to the 3rd century BC and owes its name to a marble statuette found in the garden's fireplace. It is a typical Pompeian 'terraced' residence and is famous for the inscription 'cras credo' ('tomorrow we will have credit') placed over the entrance," said the director of the Archaeological Park, Gabriel Zuchtriegel.

At the time of the eruption of Vesuvius, which occurred in 79 AD, the house was being restored after having suffered serious damage in an earthquake that shook the region in 62 AD. The owner, however, decided to expand the space and began producing perfumes, in addition to selling flowers.

In the 1950s, the first excavations in the area brought to light pollen, spores, remains of macro-plants and various objects, along with many glass perfume bottles.