House of the Faun
On Gingerguide's self-guided Pompeii audio tour, House of the Faun is a stop worth about ~45 min. Stand in front of it, press play for a short narrated story, and put any follow-up question to the built-in AI guide.
- Type ruins
- Suggested visit ~45 min
- Pompeii Pompeii guide
About House of the Faun
The largest and most luxurious private house in Pompeii, home to the Alexander Mosaic (now in Naples) and a charming bronze dancing faun, the finest example of Hellenistic domestic architecture in existence.
The House of the Faun is the largest private dwelling in Pompeii, covering an entire city block, nearly 3,000 square metres, and dating to the 2nd century BC. It was the home of an extraordinarily wealthy Pompeian family and represents the pinnacle of Hellenistic domestic architecture. Its most famous treasure was the Alexander Mosaic, a vast floor mosaic depicting the Battle of Issus, now in the National Archaeological Museum in Naples, where a copy marks the original position. The house takes its name from the charming bronze dancing faun that stands in the impluvium of the main atrium, an original is in Naples, with a copy in place. The house had two atria, two gardens, and extensive service areas. Its floor mosaics were among the most elaborate ever found, still visible are geometric border mosaics and the famous cats-and-ducks mosaic. Walking through it, you understand how the wealthiest Pompeians lived: with extraordinary refinement, Hellenistic cultural sophistication, and a love of beauty expressed in every square centimetre of floor.
Did you know? The House of the Faun covers nearly 3,000 square metres, an entire city block, making it not just the largest house in Pompeii but one of the largest private dwellings in the ancient Roman world.
How much time do you need at House of the Faun?
Around ~45 min works well for House of the Faun — time to look properly and listen to its story on the spot. Linger if you like; nothing on a self-guided walk is on a clock.
Should you stop at House of the Faun?
Yes — House of the Faun made the cut as one of 15 places the Gingerguide team researched and narrated across Pompeii. The story tells you why it is worth the stop, and the AI guide fills in anything you still wonder.
Nearby stops in Pompeii
Hear the story of House of the Faun
Preview the Pompeii tour free in the Gingerguide app.