This unforgettable exhibition transported us straight into the heart of ancient Pompeii — a city frozen in time by one of history’s most devastating natural disasters.
Held at the National Museum of Australia in Canberra (13 December 2024 – 4 May 2025), the Pompeii exhibition was a rich, multisensory experience that reimagined daily life in this vibrant Roman city before the eruption of Mount Vesuvius nearly 2,000 years ago. It combined immersive digital storytelling with over 90 extraordinary archaeological artefacts, many of which had never been seen outside of Europe.
From the moment we entered, the space drew us in. The first room was dimly lit, giving the sense of walking into something ancient and sacred. Visitors were surrounded by real remnants of Pompeian life — from stunning frescoes and sculptures, to delicate jewellery, pottery, and even tools used in everyday life.
But the highlight of the exhibition was undoubtedly the 360-degree eruption audio visual simulation. In a darkened theatre space, panoramic projections surrounded us, recreating the sheer terror and awe of the moment Mount Vesuvius erupted. Through dramatic cinematography, we witnessed plumes of ash rise, lava pour, and entire walls tremble as volcanic ash blacked out the sky. At one point, the room was completely pitch black — mimicking the suffocating darkness that descended on the people of Pompeii. It was a chilling, almost reverent moment.
The photos I took barely do justice to the atmosphere — a glimpse into the haunting beauty of a civilisation preserved through tragedy. Mosaic tiles, domestic utensils, and statues of whispered stories of lives interrupted — a young woman’s bracelet, a merchant’s jug, a family’s fresco-lined dining room.
What made this exhibition so special was its ability to humanise history. These weren’t just artefacts behind glass — they were echoes of real people, their joys and routines, their homes and their fears, all crystallised in volcanic ash.
Walking through the exhibition with my family, we couldn’t help but reflect on the fragility of time and the power of art to keep stories alive. Pompeii wasn’t just a museum visit — it was a powerful, emotional journey.
Highly recommend catching this exhibition if it ever tours again.
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