House Of The Orchard-Regio I - Ai Voice HOUSE OF THE ORCHARD-REGIO I

Built in the 3rd century B.C. and remodeled several times over the centuries, the House of the Orchard—also known as the House of the Floral Cubicula—is one of Pompeii’s most enchanting residences, preserving some of the finest frescoes ever discovered in the archaeological site.

These wall paintings depict lush gardens, filled with trees, flowers, and ornamental plants.
Unlike in most Roman houses of the time, where garden scenes typically adorned reception areas, here they appear inside the bedrooms, known as cubicula. It seems the owners wished to fall asleep and wake up each day surrounded by nature.

The paintings display an extraordinary variety of vegetation and fauna, rendered with such precision that specific plant species can be identified — including lemons, figs, arbutus trees, and pomegranates. In one cubiculum, a fig tree entwined by a serpent can be seen — a symbol of prosperity.

But nature isn’t the only theme. In the famous “Black Cubiculum”, the dark background walls are animated with Egyptian-style motifs — sphinxes, divine figures, and symbols linked to the cult of Isis. This decorative fashion was very popular in Pompeii during the 1st century A.D., often paired with Dionysian themes celebrating wine and fertility. Fittingly, around 150 wine amphorae were found in the house, suggesting that its owner was likely a wine merchant, proudly decorating his home with imagery symbolizing abundance and wealth.

Architecturally, the house follows the traditional atrium layout, with rooms opening around a central courtyard and an adjoining garden area, probably used during spring and summer. The frescoes not only visually expand the space, but also create a sense of serenity and harmony with nature.

After the earthquake of A.D. 62, parts of the building were remodeled, and one section was converted into a shop with direct access to Via dell’Abbondanza.

Let me leave you with an interesting fact: in ancient Roman culture, the fig tree was considered a powerful symbol of prosperity and fertility. It’s no coincidence, then, that this plant takes center stage among the frescoes of the House of the Orchard.