The House of the Deer is a large Roman villa at the Herculaneum archaeological site, near Naples. Dating to the time of Claudius, it is arranged around a garden where marble tables and deer sculptures were found. Look for fourth-style wall paintings, white floor mosaics and a covered passage with windows. The house also had upper rooms, a dining room, a kitchen and a terrace with sea views. Take time to notice the smaller frescoes as well as the larger painted scenes.
A Roman villa around a garden
The House of the Deer is one of Herculaneum’s largest houses, covering about 1,100 square metres. It dates to the time of Claudius and is decorated with paintings in the fourth style. Its rooms and covered passage are arranged around a broad garden, giving the house a different rhythm from a sequence of enclosed rooms.
The small atrium leads towards a balcony and the principal living spaces. On one side are larger rooms; on the other, a passage leads to the dining room, a bedroom and the kitchen. The servants’ quarters were on the upper floor. A balustrade helps visitors understand that the house had a second level.
Paintings, mosaics and sculpture
Look along the walls for frescoes, including smaller painted details that can be easy to miss beside the larger scenes. The covered passage, or cryptoporticus, has windows, white mosaics and painted walls. Mosaic and marble-patterned floors add detail underfoot.
The garden is the defining space. Marble tables and sculptures were found there, including the deer pursued by dogs that gave the villa its name. The sculptures are represented in the garden by copies. Pause here to take in the arrangement of the rooms around the open space, then look for the terrace and its view towards the sea.
Planning your visit
Herculaneum is accessible from Naples and Sorrento by bus or commuter train. From the station, you can walk to the archaeological site or take a shuttle. Once inside, an audio guide can help link the house’s rooms and surviving decoration to the villa’s original layout.
Allow time to see both floors and the garden, rather than concentrating only on the most spacious rooms. An early start can mean fewer people around the house and more room to look closely at the paintings and mosaics.
Häufige Fragen
Where is the House of the Deer?
It is within the Herculaneum archaeological site at Ercolano, near Naples.
What can you see inside the House of the Deer?
The villa has frescoed walls, mosaics, a covered passage, upper rooms and a garden where marble tables and deer sculptures were found.
Why is it called the House of the Deer?
The name refers to sculptures of deer being pursued by dogs found in the garden. Copies of the sculptures are displayed there.
When is a good time to visit?
Go early in the day for a quieter visit and better conditions for taking photos.
