PREVIEW

The women’s section of the Terme del Foro Roman baths in Pompeii has been fully restored and will be seen in all its glory for the first time on International Women’s Day 2024 (8March).
The site’s curators are unveiling the vibrant Pompeiian Fourth style decoration of the Baths, which have been obscured by thick layers of limestone since their excavation in 1823-24.
A cutting-edge laser instrument, wielded by meticulous restorers, played a pivotal role in removing concretions and exposing the stunning decor of the first room - a process archaeologists have likened to making a new discovery.
Fourth-style decoration is characterised by colorful panels and was the last used before Pompeii’s destruction by the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD. It includes complex scenes drawn from mythology, landscapes, and other images.
The areas open include hot and cool baths (the Labrum Calidarium and Frigidarium), and the Tepidarium, or relaxation room.

The work on the women’s baths revealed a remarkable painted basin adorned with vegetal elements and birds on a yellow background.
The restoration efforts extended beyond the decorative aspects, encompassing crucial protective measures against degradation. The roof coverings were meticulously resurfaced to withstand intense meteorological events, and cracks, echoing the monument's ancient travails – notably the earthquake of 62 AD and the eruption of 79 AD – were diligently filled.
The Forum Baths, positioned behind the Temple of Jupiter and dating back to 80 BC, stand as a testament to ancient spa culture. The separate entrances for men and women lead to distinct sections, with the women's area, smaller yet under renovation during the eruption, now open to the public.
During International Women's Day, another exhibition at the Villa di Poppea in Oplontis, "In the Villa di Poppea, between Women, Nymphs, and Goddesses," organised by the Archeoclub of Torre Annunziata, will showcase Roman objects related to cosmetics and female beauty, courtesy of the Gruppo Storico Oplontino.