Stabiae is the ancient latin name of the city of Castellammare di Stabia, which lies between Pompeii and Sorrento. Stabiae survived the eruption in 79 A.D. that destroyed the near cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum. Of course, it was involved in the eruption of the mt. Vesuvius but it was also rebuilt in order to preserve its important port and trade center. There are marvellous villas with exceptional frescos and precious mosaics, less known than the ones in Pompeii, but not less important. Some of the most famous frescos in Pompeian style came from Stabiae, like the fresco of Flora, one of the most famous paintings of the Roman era.
The archaeological area of Stabiae is less wide than the other Vesuvian cities like Pompeii and Herculaneum. Together with our tour guide you will see the streets and different districts: there was a rural district with rustic houses, the central district with the forum and some public buildings.
These are the most interesting parts because they contain frescos and mosaics that are partly preserved in this site, and part of them are exposed at the National Archaeological Museum of Naples. The main domus are two: villa Arianna, and villa San Marco.
Villa Arianna was named after a fresco that represented the myth of Ariadne. Most of the frescos in this domus has a mythological subject, specifically, portrays female protagonists of myths. There are also mosaics, most of them black and white, with geometrical patterns, on the floors that contrast with the vivid colors of the frescos on the wall.
Villa San Marco is preserved incredibly well, both the internal parts and the external environments like gardens and porticos. There are also frescos, but with a reduced variety of colors compared to villa Arianna.
If you have a great interest in Roman archaeology, you cannot miss the visit of these Stabian villas. Book this guide tour that lasts about 2 hours.