Casa del Citarista

Casa del Citarista (House of the Citharist or House of the Kitharist) is a large residential property located at I.4.5/25 in the ancient city of Pompeii. It was named for the bronze statue of Apollo playing the cithara found in the central peristyle. Located at the intersection of the Via dell'Abbondanza and the Via Stabiana, the Casa del Citarista was a wealthy residence as evidenced by its notable wall paintings, mosaics, and bronze statues -- all of a high quality. The house is approximately 2700 m² (29,000 ft²) and was created by combing at least two smaller residences. Its most notable feature are its three peristyles split across two levels, with the upper peristyle standing nearly two meters (six feet) above the middle (room 17) and lower peristyles. The peristyles were connected by a staircase in antiquity. Other notable features of the house include its two entrances: 1) at I.4.5 on the Via dell'Abbondanza and 2) at I.4.25 opening to the Via Stabiana.