Herculaneum Gate stands in the north-western sector of Pompeii’s fortifications. Its modern name derives from the road that led from this point towards Herculaneum.
The gate visible today was built after Sulla’s Roman conquest of the city during the Social War. Unlike the older gates, its character is predominantly monumental, since the walls were already losing much of their defensive function at that time.
The structure has three passages: the larger central opening carried the main traffic, while the two side archways were smaller. On the inner side, remains of the earlier Samnite fortifications and a staircase leading to the wall walk can still be identified.
Outside the gate, an impressive stretch of wall built from tuff blocks survives. Some sections still bear the marks left by projectiles used during the siege by Roman troops in 89 BC.
Beyond Herculaneum Gate began Via dei Sepolcri, along which lay the necropolis, shops and suburban villas.
View this location on the Pompeii Buildings and Places map