Jeff's Blog - Sunday, September 28, 2014 - Naples
Wow, what a great museum! It was filled with ancient roman sculptures and friezes, many from the Baths of Caracalla, and tons of mosaics, frescoes, and relics from Pompeii and Herculaneum. Also 5 of the 17 "province reliefs" of Hadrian that I hope to see on this trip. I wanted to see everything in the museum, but a few sections were closed; I guess they rotate through the open sections based on the day of the week. But there was plenty to keep me busy for 5 hours, plus a one-hour side trip for lunch and for a gorgeous sculpture at the nearby Capella Sansevero. The sculpture there is of Jesus, after death, on a cushion, covered by a veil. Maybe there's a photo of "the veiled Christ" online somewhere; photos were prohibited at the church. Unbelievable sculpture. Better than Bernini (gasp!). On the train to Pompeii now. Tomorrow is a full day in Pompeii -- from opening bell at 8:30 until close at 7:30, or until I drop (probably much earlier, in this heat). Anyhow, back to the Naples Archaeological Museum for the photo.... Couldn't decide between these two amazing sights so there's a bonus photo today. The first is a mosaic from Pompeii, about 2x2 feet, made with 1/8th inch squarish tiles, and the second is an 8x10 foot wall painted in the fourth style, both from Pompeii. Both of these were just very good samples -- the museum has at least 200 of these mosaics, and at least 200 of these frescoes, in room after room after room.
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