FOUNTAIN OF SILENUS, Pompeii, Visitor Guide & Things to Do Nearby

The Fountain of Silenus is one of the public street fountains of Pompeii, decorated with a figure of the drunken Silenus, the companion of Dionysus, god of wine. It is a small stop, but it shows how ordinary Pompeians got their water once the Roman aqueduct reached the city.

The story behind it

Until the 1st century BC, Pompeii relied on cisterns and wells. These stood in the streets and public buildings, and also in gardens and private homes. That changed when the Serino Aqueduct, also called the Aqua Augusta, was built in the time of Augustus. It carried water to several cities around the Bay of Naples, Pompeii among them.

A network of lead pipes then spread running water through the town. Street fountains like this one gave residents a place to collect drinking water close to home. Creators describe about 40 public fountains in the city, and wealthier households could have water piped directly into their houses. Decorating a fountain with Silenus, a cheerful follower of the wine god, fits the Roman taste for turning everyday utilities into small works of art.

What to look for

• Look for the figure of Silenus, shown as the tipsy companion of Dionysus, which gives the fountain its name.
• Notice the basin and where it sits at the edge of the street, which shows how people stopped here in the middle of their daily errands.
• Pay attention to the paving around the fountain, where the stones show how heavily the street was used.
• Watch for other fountains as you walk, and compare how often they appear along the streets.

Tips for your visit

• Plan on a few minutes here. It works best as one stop on a longer walk through the ancient city.
• Go early or late in the day when the site is cooler and quieter, and bring water and a hat in summer.
• The fountain stands in the open air within the archaeological area, so check current opening hours and entry rules for the site before you go.
• Wear comfortable shoes, because the ancient paving is uneven and worn.

See it on a quest

You can reach the fountain on foot as one stop of Ashes of Time: Escape Pompeii’s Curse, a self-guided route through the area. The app tells you about each place as you arrive and sets a puzzle based on what is in front of you, so you look at the fountain more closely than you would on your own. It is played on your phone at your own pace, and one ticket covers the whole group.