The Pompeii Archaeological Park has unveiled the restored Garden of Hercules, replanted with 1,200 violets, 1,000 ruscus plants, 800 antique roses, vines, and fruit trees to mirror its appearance 2,000 years ago. The restoration is based on botanical research from the 1950s by Wilhelmina Jashemski, who identified pollen, spores, and plant fossils at the site. The garden, located on Regio VIII, Insula 2, also features a recreated ancient irrigation system and a terracotta statue of Hercules, and was once used for commercial perfume production.
This restoration matters because it represents a shift in how the Pompeii Archaeological Park views its green spaces—from a maintenance problem to an essential component of archaeological interpretation. By reconstructing the garden based on scientific evidence, the park offers visitors a tangible connection to daily life in ancient Pompeii, including its agricultural and commercial practices, while highlighting the integration of natural and archaeological landscapes.