The Untold History of Herculaneum takes you back nearly 2,000 years, to the dramatic eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. While Pompeii was buried under layers of ash and lapilli, Herculaneum was submerged by a thick flow of mud and volcanic material. This unique condition preserved buildings, objects, and even wooden furniture with extraordinary precision, sealing daily life in time. Excavations officially began in 1738, under King Charles of Bourbon.

In Roman times, Herculaneum was a refined seaside resort, favored by wealthy Romans who built luxurious villas overlooking the sea. These residences offer rare insight into the private lives, leisure habits, and intimate spaces of the Roman elite.

During the tour, you will visit some of the city’s most remarkable homes, including the House of the Mosaic Atrium, the House of Neptune and Amphitrite, and the House of the Deer, celebrated for its sculptural decoration and elegant design. Walking along the Decumanus, the Palaestra, and the Basilica, you will explore the social and civic heart of the ancient city.

Particular attention is given to spaces closely connected to the Roman body, intimacy, and social interaction, such as the Forum Thermal Baths. Public bathing was a central element of Roman life, where nudity, physicality, and same-sex interactions were common and socially accepted within specific norms.

A highlight of the visit is the House of the Carbonized Furniture, one of the most extraordinary discoveries in Herculaneum. Here, you can still see wooden furniture preserved in its original position, offering a rare and tangible glimpse into domestic life nearly two millennia ago.

Through architecture, art, and everyday spaces, this tour reveals how desire, leisure, and the male body were integrated into Roman culture, offering a deeper understanding of gay history in the ancient world.