National Museum of Australia: Pompeii
A must-see recreation of one of history’s famous lost cities
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Overview
Pompeii, the latest exhibition to arrive at the National Museum of Australia in Canberra, offers a rare insight into one of the world's most amazing and catastrophic archaeological wonders. Nearly 2,000 years ago, before the fateful eruption of Mount Vesuvius, Pompeii was a bustling city located in what is now southern Italy. By exploring this exhibition, you can discover what life was like in the city before it was buried under metres of volcanic ash. The exhibition features a multi-sensory, immersive experience that combines a 360-degree recreation of the volcanic eruption with more than 90 objects from the ancient city.
For almost 300 years, excavations have revealed what life was like in Pompeii and archaeologists continue to make extraordinary new discoveries to this day. This exhibition features some newly discovered objects which are being seen for the first time outside Europe. The artefacts include frescoes, jewellery, sculptures and pottery alongside copies of casts of some of the victims of the 79 CE eruption.
Other exhibition highlights include an immersive re-enactment of the volcanic eruption that destroyed Pompeii almost 2,000 years ago, as well as the 'Statuette of Venus', a marble statue from the 1st century CE from Villa Poppaea, Oplontis, near Pompeii. You'll be transported to Pompeii via a corso stretching more than 35 metres through the exhibition space. There is also an oh-so-important exhibition shop, selling keepsakes and goods inspired by the Italian seaside, food, design and fashion.
Please note, the exhibition features loud noises and changing light levels, as the space darkens every 15 minutes for a re-enactment as Mount Vesuvius erupts. Visitors may bring noise-cancelling headphones.
Don't miss 'Pompeii', showing exclusively at the National Museum of Australia in Canberra until Sunday, May 4 2025. Book your tickets today.
Images: Supplied.
