Welcome to MAV, the Virtual Archaeological Museum of Herculaneum, a place where cutting-edge technology meets the charm of ancient history, offering you a unique journey into the past of two of Campania's most iconic cities: Herculaneum and Pompeii. Here, you can explore daily life, homes, customs, and the dramatic end of these cities buried by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD.

Introduction: A Museum of the Future to Tell the Past

Unlike traditional museums, MAV does not exhibit physical artifacts but uses a wide range of digital technologies to faithfully recreate ancient environments and atmospheres. Through 3D reconstructions, immersive projections, virtual reality, and multimedia installations, you’ll be transported into the world of ancient Romans, allowing you to walk through their streets, enter their homes, and witness firsthand the events that shaped their lives.

mav’s technological innovation and historical accuracy allow you to explore not only the grandeur and everyday splendor of Herculaneum and Pompeii but also the catastrophe that destroyed them, giving you the chance to better understand one of history's most iconic tragedies.

First Room: Life in the Vesuvian Cities

Your visit begins with an immersion into the daily life of the inhabitants of Herculaneum and Pompeii. Thanks to advanced technologies, you’ll find yourself virtually walking through the streets of these cities. The life-sized projections of streets, squares, and houses will transport you to an ancient world, where you can closely observe the frescoes, mosaics, and statues that decorated Roman homes.

A particularly evocative experience is that of the domus, the residences of the Roman aristocracy. These homes were richly adorned with frescoes and mosaic floors, and through virtual reconstructions, you can explore spaces such as the triclinium, where banquets were held, and the peristyle, the inner garden that represented an oasis of peace and beauty within the home.

Be sure to take a moment to admire the frescoes, reproduced with extreme accuracy, depicting mythological scenes, deities, flora, and fauna, allowing you to appreciate the elegance and refinement of Roman art. These works were not merely decorative but also tangible signs of the social prestige of their owners.

Second Room: The Virtual Reconstruction of the Forum of Pompeii

Continuing your journey, you’ll find yourself in front of the reconstruction of Pompeii’s Forum, the nerve center of the city's political, religious, and commercial life. Through 3D reconstructions, you can explore this monumental space that housed temples, public buildings, and courts, where citizens gathered to discuss business and attend religious ceremonies.

We recommend closely observing the columns and statues that adorn the forum, virtually reconstructed with impressive fidelity, and imagine the bustling activity of a typical day in ancient Pompeii, as merchants displayed their goods and citizens participated in public life.

Third Room: The Eruption of Vesuvius

The highlight of MAV is undoubtedly the simulation of the eruption of Vesuvius. This immersive experience will thrust you into the heart of the tragedy that struck Herculaneum and Pompeii in 79 AD.

Wearing virtual reality headsets, you will witness the sudden change in the sky as a column of smoke and ash rises from the imposing Mount Vesuvius. The thunderous sounds of the eruption will make you feel the destructive power of nature, while the sudden darkness will transport you into the final hours of these cities. You can observe how the citizens reacted to the disaster, seeking refuge and protection as a rain of ash and pumice slowly buried everything in its path.

This simulation not only lets you experience the horror and destruction caused by Vesuvius but also provides a deep understanding of why the cities were so well-preserved: the rapid burial under ash protected the buildings and objects for centuries until their discovery.

Fourth Room: The Domus and Social Spaces

After experiencing the eruption, you will return to explore the interiors of the houses, or domus, reconstructed in every detail. The 3D technology allows you to move through rooms such as bedrooms, the triclinium, and private baths. These spaces will give you a glimpse into the daily life and social habits of Roman citizens.

Particularly, focus on the private and public baths, symbols of the importance of body care and wellness in ancient Rome. You’ll be able to explore the thermal environments, admiring the complex hypocaust heating system, which allowed for the heating of water and rooms, offering the Romans a true luxury.

Fifth Room: Worship and Religion in Herculaneum and Pompeii

MAV also dedicates an important section to religious worship, showing you the spirituality of the inhabitants of these cities. You’ll be able to explore temples dedicated to the gods and imperial cults, observe household shrines (lararia), and understand the importance of religion in the daily lives of ancient Romans.

Through projections and reconstructions, you will see how the Romans honored their gods with sacrifices, offerings, and private rites. The temples, virtually reconstructed, will show you the majesty of these places of worship, which played a central role in the social and political life of the Vesuvian cities.

Interactive Spaces and Temporary Exhibits

Before concluding your visit, we invite you to explore the areas dedicated to temporary exhibitions and interactive spaces. Here, you can engage in educational interactive experiences, virtually exploring objects and spaces on your own, making MAV an ideal museum for visitors of all ages. Every visit to mav can be different, thanks to the constant updating of technologies and exhibitions.

Conclusion

MAV is not just a museum: it’s an immersive experience that uses technology to take you back in time, allowing you to explore in an innovative way the life, culture, and tragedy of Herculaneum and Pompeii. Through virtual reconstructions and immersive reality, you’ll have the opportunity to experience firsthand the fascinating history of these ancient cities.

Thank you for visiting MAV, the Virtual Archaeological Museum of Herculaneum. We hope this experience has allowed you to discover new aspects of history and invite you to return to further explore the wonders of technology and archaeology.