Packard in California collaborates for Restorations in Herculaneum

In Herculaneum, the House of the Tuscan Colonnade and the House of the Wooden Sacellum reopened to visitors in March 2025 after 25 years. They had undergone extensive restoration, made possible with the collaboration between the Packard Humanities Institute, a non-profit foundation based in California, and the Herculaneum Archaeological Park. The partnership between these two has been active for about 24 years and continues with an investment of about 45 million euros. The continuation of this investment aids in the application of new technologies and the resumption of archeological excavations.

The two domus are said to be amongst the most beautiful and best-preserved from ancient Herculaneum. Due to the restoration of these residences, visitors can now experience these spaces as if they were used in typical Roman everyday life. A new mobile App for Android and iOS devices also allows for a more personalized tour experience for visitors.

“Our goal is to make the Herculaneum Archaeological Park a place where history, culture, technology, as well as familiarity with our origins that I would describe as almost sentimental, are intertwined to offer visitors an unprecedented experience,” said Herculaneum Archaeological Park Director Francesco Sirano.

Sources:

https://www.ansa.it/english/newswire/english_service/2025/03/19/two-beautiful-domus-reopen-at-herculaneum-after-25-years-4_4a9a2fc3-35d4-44e1-b338-080d09cdfbf9.html

https://www.finestresullarte.info/en/archaeology/herculaneum-reopens-the-house-of-the-tuscan-colonnade-and-the-house-of-the-wooden-sacellum

Ercolano, riaprono la Domus del Colonnato Tuscanico e del Sacello di Legno

– Georgia Guerrero