Pompeii – an archaeological site that was once a large Roman city before being buried under the ash of a volcanic eruption – is quite literally thousands of years old. It’s exciting then that a huge breakthrough has just occurred at the Italian site, with the discovery of a 2000-year-old private bathhouse.
READ MORE: What is dark tourism?
Around a third of Pompeii is still hidden away under volcanic ash. The uncovering of this bathhouse – which is likely the largest in any Pompeiian private home according to Dr Gabriel Zuchtriegel, director of the Archaeological Park of Pompeii, who spoke to the BBC – has been described as a ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ discovery.
‘It’s these spaces that really are part of the ‘Pompeii effect’ – it’s almost as if the people had only left a minute ago,’ he said.
But what did they actually find? Well, archaeologists have been working on excavating the entire residence for the last two years, and the spa-like complex, which is complete with hot, warm and cold rooms, artwork and a plunge pool, sits at the centre.
It’s thought this was the home of Pompeiian politician Aulus Rustius Verus, and two people – a high class woman aged between 35 and 50, and a younger, likely low-class man, likely in his 20s – had barricaded themselves into a room but were killed by pyroclastic flow.
The space had red walls and a geometric floor, and the central plunge pool would have been large enough for between 20 and 30 people to use at once.
An impressive discovery, right? It’s not confirmed whether this site will eventually open for public viewing, but it’s worth reading up on the recent rules to know when visiting Pompeii.
Did you see that these are the cheapest places for a summer holiday in 2025, according to Which?
Plus: What is the Spain ‘tourism ban’? The areas affected and what you need to know.
Stay in the loop: sign up to our free Travel newsletter for all the latest travel news and best stuff happening across the world.
