Via dell'Abbondanza (Street of Abundance), Pompei

Via dell'Abbondanza is the main artery of ancient Pompeii. Almost every modern-day visitor to the city has a chance to stroll along at least some part of it now. Stretching for almost 900 meters, via dell’Abbondanza is the longest street in the city and 2,000 years ago was also its liveliest.

Translated as the “Street of Abundance”, this bustling thoroughfare did live up to its name, lined with grand public buildings and shrines, numerous elite residences, shops and workshops run by representatives of all strata of Pompeii’s society. Leading all the way up to the Forum, the connecting crossroads of via dell’Abbondanza led to the Triangular Forum, Palaestra, Amphitheater and other prominent locations.

The two public properties, standing at the intersection with the Forum, are the Eumachia Building and the Comitium. Also, there is a large public bath complex, known as the Stabian Baths. Furthermore, this street is a home to one of the earliest sites excavated in Pompeii, the Praedia di Iulia Felix (House of Julia Felix).

It is fair to say that no place in Pompeii, other than via dell'Abbondanza, can provide a better illustration of the diversity of life once enjoyed in this ancient city.