After vandalism: Historic house in Herculaneum shines again!

After vandalism: Historic house in Herculaneum shines again!

In ancient Herculaneum, near Naples, an important historical building, the “Casa dell’Erma di Bronzo”, was extensively restored after an incident at the end of 2024. A Dutch tourist had damaged a frescoed wall in the building, leading to his charge of defacing works of art. The restoration includes the removal of graffiti that had been applied with water-soluble pen, including the signature of the delicate author. The house, which survived the eruption of the volcano Vesuvius in 79 AD, is now open to visitors again, in what is seen as a sign of rebirth for the valuable heritage.

The renovation of the “Casa dell’Erma di Bronzo” was carried out by the Archaeological Park of Herculaneum and the Packard Humanities Institute. Francesco Sirano, the director of the archaeological site, described the project as a symbol of a return to a cultural heritage endangered by wanton destruction. The challenges of graffiti removal required intensive preliminary studies so as not to damage the original painting. In addition, paintings and plaster layers in the atrium were consolidated and older graffiti from the 1990s and 2000s was removed. Financing came from entrance fees and government funds.

Historical significance and excavations

The context of these measures is historically rich. Herculaneum was buried under lava during the Vesuvius eruption in AD 79 and remained largely unknown until its discovery on December 11, 1738, when parts of the theater were found. This discovery marks the beginning of the systematic excavation of this ancient city, which is often overshadowed by the better-known excavations at Pompeii. An important aspect of the excavations at Herculaneum is that the ash layer protected the city from destruction, which led to numerous significant discoveries.

The professional voices on this topic are diverse. Edda Dammmüller talks about the importance of the excavations, while Professor Dr. Rüdiger Splitter, an art historian and archaeologist, spoke about the finds and conclusions about the population at the time. In his interview he also emphasizes that many works of art from Herculaneum can be seen in various places today.

Current challenges in the culture and art scene

The developments in Herculaneum are not an isolated case, but reflect a larger problem that also affects other archaeological sites in Italy. Gabrielzuchtriegel, the new director of the archaeological park in Paestum, speaks openly about the challenges he faces. The area is heavily affected by organized crime, particularly the Camorra, which poses serious problems for public safety. zuchtriegel, who speaks fluent Italian and has experience with Italian bureaucracy, plans to attract more visitors, particularly from Germany, to Paestum. His efforts are aimed at strengthening the autonomy of museums and securing financial support for cultural institutions.

The recent incidents in Herculaneum and the challenges described by breedingriegel highlight the need to value cultural heritage and preserve it for future generations. In this sense, the comprehensive restoration of the “Casa dell’Erma di Bronzo” represents an important step, both in preserving history and in raising awareness among visitors about the respectful treatment of antiquarian sites.