Published on September 10, 2024

An event that has fascinated the world for centuries is the catastrophic volcanic eruption that destroyed the city of Pompeii.

Famed for its perfectly preserved ruins and archaeological wonders, the famous frozen city will come to life after 2,000 years for the first time in the Southern Hemisphere.

This December, the National Museum of Australia in Canberra will host a first-of-its-kind exhibition showcasing the inhabitants of Pompeii before the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD.

Opening on Friday 13th December, Pompeii is a blockbuster exhibition that combines moving soundscapes and large-scale digital projections with over 90 fascinating objects that transport visitors to the final moments of the famous city.

In an exclusive collaboration with the Archaeological Park of Pompeii in Italy, the Grand Palais in France and the Australian National Museum, the exhibition will feature stunning frescoes measuring over three metres across, magnificent mosaics, jewellery, sculptures and moving cast replicas of those who died in the disaster.

National Museum director Katherine McMahon says the exhibition will allow visitors to experience ancient Pompeii “in a completely new way”.

“Ancient Pompeii still captures the imagination, almost 2,000 years after its destruction. It is a story passed down through the ages and continues to evolve with each new archaeological discovery,” he says.

“Now Australians and international visitors to our capital city will be able to experience the majesty, wonder and tragedy of Pompeii in a completely new way – as both a living, breathing ancient city and an archaeological site.”

Source: Rmn. Grand Palais.

The exhibition will not only show the city just before the tragic moment when it was engulfed by the ash of Vesuvius, but will also present Pompeii as a place of discovery that continues to connect our world with the ancient one.

“90 extraordinary objects have been selected for public display, from some of the most important archaeological sites of the last century,” says National Museum curator Dr Lily Withycombe.

“These objects focus on a very real human experience within the exhibition. Visitors will see themselves reflected in ancient Pompeii through relatable objects such as kitchen utensils and tweezers.

“And they will feel compassion as they connect with this incredible material culture that encompasses the entire experience of ancient Rome and the rich, complex, and full lives that people led.”

Another highlight? A spectacular 360-degree reenactment of the eruption of Vesuvius, scheduled every 15 minutes, immersing visitors in the full fury and power of the catastrophe.

“This engaging exhibition, paired with extraordinary artefacts never before seen in Australia, invites people to explore everyday life in the city and its rediscovery after the volcanic eruption, especially in the context of the last ten years of major new excavations,” says Katherine.

“We are proud to host such a spectacular event from the ancient world for the first time in Australia and the Southern Hemisphere.”

Pompeii will be on display in Canberra until 4 May 2025. Tickets for Pompeii will go on sale in late October and will be available on the National Museum of Australia website.

Main photo: Pompeii in Grand Palais. Source: Didier Fawn.