Pompeii is the most famous of the ancient Roman towns preserved after the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79AD. What is not as well known is that Pompeii was home to brothels and the graphic sexual images that adorned their walls.
One such brothel, Lupanare, was built only a few years before the volcanic eruption. Much of the art shows sex acts that some archaeologists believe were advertisements of available services. However, it is also believed that the images may have shown an idealised version of what it was like to work in the brothel as it is believed many of the workers were slaves.
After a restoration, the brothel was opened to the public in 2006. When visiting Pompeii, make sure you visit the brothel and see the amazing well preserved art.
I Visited a Brothel with My Mother-In-Law
We had travelled to Italy for a family wedding and after the wedding spent three weeks travelling around the country. My mother-in-law came with us for the wedding and the extended holiday. So her and I have a great laugh telling people we went to a brothel together! Ok so it is one that was destroyed by a volcanic eruption centuries ago, but it is fun to see people’s faces before they realise!
If you are thinking of travelling with extended family, read my post Travelling with Extended Family – Are You Crazy!.
I remember visiting the brothel at Pompeii on a tour there. As a port with visitors from all over the world, I suppose the images were like a menu you could order from when there was a language barrier!
Definitely an interesting menu Larch!
I love it! Pompeii is such a great place to visit!
We loved it too Antek