Italy launches major exhibitions on Ercolano and Pompeii heritage

From July 22, 2026 Castel Sant'Angelo in Rome will host the exhibition “Ercolano. L’arte di vivere”, displaying more than 70 artifacts from the Parco archeologico di Ercolano, including a 2,000‑year‑old loaf of bread, household objects and artworks that illustrate daily life before the 79 AD Vesuvius eruption. The show is organized by museum officials from Rome, Naples and the national museum system.

On July 23, Disney+ will debut the three‑episode docudrama “Pompei: Fuori dal tempo” narrated by actor Tom Hiddleston. The series combines archaeological, geological and historical research to portray the experiences of three real individuals in Pompeii in the hours leading up to the eruption, challenging the view that the city's residents were caught completely unaware.

Both projects aim to bring new public attention to the ancient cities of Ercolano and Pompeii and to present recent scholarly findings in an engaging format.