La scoperta delle Terme del Foro a Pompei e i suoi riflessi sulla cultura ottocentesca
In: Quaderni dell'Istituto di Storia dell'Architettura: 64, 2016
DOI: 10.1400/258354
In the European architectural culture’s continuing interest in Pompeii, the progress of the excavations and discoveries gradually
offers new material for reflection, as emblematically highlighted by the Forum Baths. Due to its special characteristics and the
good condition of the building and furnishings, the monument, excavated in 1824 and restored in 1826, provides European
architects with plenty of food for thought. Firstly, this average-sized provincial example offers the opportunity to clarify the
knowledge we have of the thermal bath buildings and their use, as well as that of verifying the degree of reliability of Latin
literature, starting with Vitruvius. It also provides important insights that up to now have been impossible, for example, on
Roman glass fixtures, a subject that particularly fascinated, among others, the Frenchman Henri Labrouste. It also leads us to
take an in-depth look at contemporary themes, in terms of restoration, such as the need to encapsulate conservation needs
with those related to tourists’ enjoyment of the site, or the need to maintain moveable works of art in their original context.
Finally, with the significant arrangement of the environments and their extremely precious decorations, the Baths offer new and
fascinating models for contemporary design, both typological and decorative.