After vandalism: Historical House in Herculaneum shines new!

After vandalism: Historical House in Herculaneum shines new!

Herculaneum, Italien - in ancient Herculaneum, near Naples, an important historical building, the "Casa dell’erma di Bronzo", was extensively restored after an incident in late 2024. A Dutch tourist had damaged a fresco -painted wall in this building, which led to his indictment for disinfecting works of art. The restoration includes the removal of graffiti, which had been attached with water -insoluble pen, including the signature of the delicate cause. The house, which survived the outbreak of the Vesuvius vulk in 79 AD, is now accessible to visitors again, which is considered a sign of rebirth for the valuable legacy.

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 that was endangered by willful destruction. The challenges of graffiti removal required intensive preliminary studies in order not to damage original painting. In addition, paintings and plaster layers were consolidated in the atrium and older graffiti from the 1990s and 2000s were removed. The financing came about through entrance fees and state funds.

historical meaning and excavations

The context of these measures is historically rich. Herculaneum was buried at the VesuV outbreak 79 AD under Lava and remained largely unknown until the 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 in the shadow of the more well -known excavations in Pompeii. An important aspect of the excavations in Herculaneum is that the city was protected from destruction by the ash layer, which has led to numerous significant discoveries.

The professional voices on this topic are diverse. Edda Dammmüller speaks 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 underlines that many works of art from Herculaneum can be seen in different locations today.

Current challenges in the cultural and art scene

The developments in Herculaneum are not an isolated case, but reflect a major problem that also affects other archaeological sites in Italy. Gabriel Büchtriegel, the new director of the archaeological park in Paestum, speaks openly about the challenges with which he is confronted. The area is strongly affected by organized crime, especially the Camorra, which represents serious problems for public security. Breeding traps that speaks fluent Italian and has experience with Italian bureaucracy plans to move more visitors, especially from Germany, to Paestum. His efforts aim to strengthen the autonomy of the museums and to secure financial support to the cultural institutions.

The recent incidents in Herculaneum and the challenges described by breeding characteristics illustrate the need to appreciate cultural heritage and to receive it for future generations. In this sense, the comprehensive restoration of the "Casa dell’erma di Bronzo" represents an important step, both for the preservation of history and to sensitize visitors to the respectful dealings with antiquarian sites.