Pompeii Exhibit

Are you planning a trip to Naples, Italy this month? If not, consider a trip to Kansas City, Missouri. If you live in the continental USA, a plane ticket to Kansas City is much less than one to Italy.

Union Station achieved another coup when it was chosen to be the opening venue for this exhibit. All original artifacts are on loan from the Naples National Archaeological Museum (MANN).

The Exhibition
A brief video introduced Pompeii and its tragic history. On August 24, 79 A.D. Mount Vesuvius erupted burying the Roman city of Pompeii. The disaster that destroyed this ancient city also preserved it and entombed its people. When the video ended the doors opened automatically to the exhibit hall.

The arrangement of displays met my expectations for quality and organization. Each themed space, room, or gallery used artifacts, information placards, and short video animations to recreate the way archaeologists think it may have looked.

Of the nearly 200 artifacts on loan, some have never been exhibited in the United States before. These included a first century bronze gladiator helmet, a Citharist bronze statue of Apollo (50 A.D), and frescos (dated between 50-79 A.D.)

Travel Tips:
• Parental Guidance Suggested
Ancient pornography was explicit
(You can avoid the gallery displaying these)
Plaster casts vividly show the tormented last moments of the victims
(You must exit past these casts)
• A Five-Minute 4D Theatre Experience in the Eruption Gallery fast forwards
through the entire day Mt. Vesuvius’ erupted
• Ticket Prices: General Admission $19.95; Seniors (55+) Monday only $16.95
For additional ticket information see the website: unionstation.org/visitor
• Two Parking Options:
1. South Plaza & Triangle Lot
Located on the south side of Union Station, accessible via West Pershing Road
Price: $5.00 for two hours, Cash Only
2. West Yards Parking Garage
Bridge entrance accessible via Kessler Road through the Carriage Pavilion
0–30 minutes FREE, 2 Hours $3.00; Cash, Coins, some Charge Cards
For detailed directions and additional information see the website: unionstation.org/visitor
• Pompeii Exhibit Ends in Union Station April 16, 2017
These archaeological treasures rarely leave Italy. Don’t miss out on your opportunity to view this collection.

Travel Humor
Among the typical kitchen items I expected to find was one item I would never have expected. A very large pottery jar was displayed by itself. Small air holes were punched around the circumference.

I won’t spoil the surprise by telling you what was kept inside. However, they were considered a delicacy for wealthy Roman families.

What do you think was in that large clay vessel? Leave your guess in the comments below.