About the exhibition

The excitement of ancient Pompeii bursts into town in A Day in Pompeii, a Melbourne Winter Masterpieces exhibition at Melbourne Museum from 26 June to 25 October 2009.

The catastrophic eruption of Mount Vesuvius on 24 August 79 AD produced a vast storm of pumice and volcanic ash that buried the town of Pompeii. Like a time capsule, the town – its businesses and homes, gardens and shops – was encased for almost 2,000 years.

With more than 250 objects – many never shown before in Australia – A Day in Pompeii will immerse you in all aspects of life in the ancient town. Priceless objects of luxury and exquisite beauty sit aside everyday items like cooking pots and wine jars. The visual world of the town, with its marble sculpture, painted frescoes, ornaments and mosaics, is yours to explore.

You will enter an immersive 3D theatre to learn about volcanoes and feel the same drama and terror of the town's citizens long ago. Created by computer game designers in Melbourne and Brisbane, you will witness how a series of eruptions wiped out Pompeii over 48 hours. Body casts of the people and animals buried under the ash will show you the human tragedy of this devastating natural disaster, and the work of archaeologists to bring the Ancient Roman world back to life.

Presented exclusively in Melbourne before an international tour, A Day in Pompeii is brought to you by Museum Victoria in partnership with Italy’s leading archaeological authority, Soprintendenza Speciale per i Beni Archeologici di Napoli e Pompei.

Visiting information

To ensure free-flowing access for all our visitors, prams and strollers are not permitted within the exhibition. A pram parking area is provided.

Please note that food and photography are not permitted inside the exhibition.