HOUSE OF THE CRYPTOPORTICUS-REGIO I, House Of The Cryptoporticus-Regio I - Ai Voice

The House of the Cryptoporticus takes its name from its most distinctive feature — the cryptoporticus, a semi-subterranean colonnaded corridor that runs beneath the garden like an underground gallery. This covered passage served both a decorative and functional purpose, connecting the main reception rooms with a small private bath complex. It featured barrel vaults, openings to let in light, and a design that combined utility with elegance.

The domus was originally built as an independent residence between the late 2nd and 1st centuries B.C. Later, the garden level was raised, and the ground-floor porticoes were transformed into the cryptoporticus we see today. Following these renovations, the house was connected to the neighboring House of the Iliac Shrine, forming a single large and prestigious residence.

One of the main reasons this domus is so remarkable is its decorative program. The walls of the cryptoporticus are painted in the Second Style: a geometric frieze runs along the base, above which appear painted herms—small pilasters topped with busts—and, in the upper zone, a long frieze of miniature panels inspired by Homer’s Iliad, complete with Greek captions identifying heroes and gods.

Even the small rooms of the private baths were richly decorated. Their walls feature illusionistic paintings with false columns and architectural perspectives that give the impression of larger, open spaces. The stuccoed vaults add further elegance, with reliefs and subtle light effects enhancing the sense of depth and refinement....