FRIDAYS AND SATURDAYS IN SEPTEMBER AT THE POMPEII ARCHAEOLOGICAL PARK – Nighttime walks, theatrical performances, and events
From September 5th to October 4th
"POMPEII. VOX FEMINAE. The Secret Words of Women"
A month of nighttime walks and artistic performances on Fridays and Saturdays in September until October 4th. At all the sites of Greater Pompeii, you can enjoy an evening walk from 8:00 PM to 11:00 PM (last admission at 10:00 PM), and on select days, you can attend the theatrical performances "POMPEII. VOX FEMINAE. The Secret Words of Women" dedicated to the women of ancient Pompeii (8:30 PM - 10:00 PM).
In Pompeii, the dual itinerary includes access from Piazza Anfiteatro to some domus, such as the Praedia of Julia Felix, the House of Loreius Tiburtinus, the House of Venus in the Shell, and the Large Palestra, home to the exhibition "Being a Woman in Ancient Pompeii" (duration: approximately 1 hour - cost €7). On the opposite side of the city, access to the Villa of the Mysteries is also offered, with the option of a shuttle service to the Boscoreale site, including Villa Regina and the Antiquarium (duration: approximately 40 minutes from the Villa of the Mysteries + approximately 1 hour from Boscoreale - cost €7). Theatrical performances at the Odeion (Teatro Piccolo) dedicated to historical and mythological female figures are also offered, preceded by a short guided tour and with entry from Piazza Esedra (duration: 30 minutes - cost €7).
Slaves, empresses, priestesses, scientists: ten women deeply connected to the history of the world's most famous archaeological site, brought together in a new theatrical project—"POMPEII. VOX FEMINAE. The Secret Words of Women"—which accompanies and amplifies the narrative of the exhibition "Being a Woman in Ancient Pompeii" (Palestra Grande, open until January 31, 2026). Throughout the sites of Great Pompeii, including Villa Arianna and Villa San Marco in Stabiae, the Stabiae Archaeological Museum at the Reggia di Quisisana, the rooms of the sumptuous Villa of Poppaea in Oplontis, and the site of Villa Regina in Boscoreale from September 5th to October 4th, Arianna, Julia Felix, Iphigenia, Eumachia, Phaedra, Flavia Agatea, Poppaea, Wilhelmina, Amaryllis, and Asellina—through their voices, their bodies, or through the words of men, lovers, children, or enemies—will lead viewers to a close-up discovery of the history, passions, pain, intelligence, and strength that each of these women embodies.
In Pompeii and the other sites, a powerful cast of actors and actresses will take turns: Gennaro Apicella, Alessandro Balletta, Adele Cammarata, Costanza Cutaia, Marianna Fontana, Luca Iervolino, Manuela Mandracchia, Marica Mastromarino, Loredana Piedimonte, Elisabetta Pogliani, Alvia Reale, Paola Senatore, and Imma Villa; dancer Giada Primiano; and musicians Massimo Cordovani, Francesco Giangrande, Roberto Piazzolla, and Stefano Saletti. The dramaturgy and direction of the performances are entrusted to Fabio Cocifoglia and Rosario Sparno, with costumes by Giuseppe Avallone.
The beautiful photo by Antonio Biasiucci (Manto, Palazzo Ducale Mantua deposit 2019. Credit: Fondazione Pam), kindly provided by the author and chosen as the project's image, powerfully encapsulates the idea and inspiration behind the stories.
A production by the Casa del Contemporaneo theater production center in collaboration with Le Nuvole teatro scienza arte, as part of the "ESOPOP "stories in festival" project of the Pompeii Archaeological Park, promoted by the Directorate General for Live Performances of the Ministry of Culture.
Before each performance, educational staff from Le Nuvole teatro arte scienza will explain the characteristics and history of the site to the audience.
The performances (with limited seating) can be attended by purchasing an evening ticket to the Pompeii Archaeological Park at www.ticketone.it and selecting the "POMPEII. VOX FEMINAE" event option. For Villa San Marco and Villa Arianna in Stabia, purchases are online only.
Park entrance fee: €7 + advance booking: €1
"POMPEII. VOX FEMINAE. "The Secret Words of Women"
Show dates and times: 8:30 PM - 10:00 PM. Running time: 30 minutes
⦁ Villa Arianna September 5th "Arianna"
⦁ Pompeii, Odeon (Teatro Piccolo) September 6th "Giulia Felice"
⦁ Villa San Marco September 12th "Iphigenia"
⦁ Pompeii, Odeon (Teatro Piccolo) September 13th "Eumachia"
⦁ Oplontis September 19th "Poppea"
⦁ Pompeii, Odeon (Teatro Piccolo) September 20th “Flavia Agatea”
⦁ Stabia Archaeological Museum - Quisisana Palace September 26th “Fedra”
⦁ Pompeii, Odeon (Teatro Piccolo) September 27th “Amaryllis”
⦁ Villa Regina, Boscoreale September 27th “Wilhelmina”
⦁ Pompeii, Odeon (Teatro Piccolo) October 4th “Asellina”
At 5:30 pm, a performance will be held at all sites for visitors already present.
