An international exhibition that brings a historic catastrophe to life in vivid detail is coming to Cincinnati next month.
“Pompei: The Exhibition,” which details the eruption of Mount Vesuvius that buried the Italian city in 79 A.D., will open at the Cincinnati Museum Center Feb. 16 and run through July 29. It features more than 150 artifacts on loan from a collection of the National Archaeological Museum of Naples, Italy, including mosaics, frescoes, gladiator armor, statues, jewelry, tools and more.
“Pompeii is a remarkable story that exists as both ancient legend and archaeological treasure, providing a timeless snapshot of daily life in the Roman Empire,” Elizabeth Pierce, president and CEO of the museum center, said in a news release. “We’re honored to be entrusted with these archaeological treasures and to once again bring the world to Cincinnati, and to do so in immersive fashion as we transport guests back in time to a period of splendor and a day of timeless catastrophe.”
The sudden event that destroyed the port city – and its people – also preserved it. Centuries later, archaeologists uncovered a rare record of daily life at the height of the Roman Empire. Ongoing excavations and research, including by teams from the University of Cincinnati, continue to add to the evolving picture of a city frozen in time.
In addition to the artifacts, the exhibition’s immersive experiences includes:
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- an introductory theater that sets the scene in a video with reconstructions of Pompeii and the nearby volcano
- a reproduced atrium from a Roman villa in 79 A.D. that serves as the entry point to city
- holographic gladiatorial combat
- a simulated 4D eruption that allows guests to experience the deadly impact Mount Vesuvius had on the city.
Through Jan. 21, guests can sign up for exclusive presale access and be instantly upgraded to VIP tickets with no entry times and same-day reentry. General admission tickets go on sale Jan. 29.
Tickets are $23.50 for adults ($17.50 with membership), $19.50 for children ($13.50 with membership and $21.50 for seniors).
More information is available at cincymuseum.org.