Pompeii Archaeological Park Launches Web Series Exploring Ancient Flora and the White Onion

The Archaeological Park of Pompeii has unveiled a fresh digital endeavor titled Convivium: Tastes of Pompeii. This new series aims to shine a spotlight on the site’s rich botanical heritage. It masterfully blends culinary arts, deep archaeological research, and modern sustainable gardening principles, offering viewers a multifaceted look into ancient culture. This initiative underscores a growing recognition: the green spaces of Pompeii are fundamental to the archaeological landscape, moving beyond mere maintenance concerns. Park Director Gabriel Zuchtriegel emphasizes that vegetation is now viewed as a cornerstone of the Park's broader agricultural strategy.

The inaugural episode premiered on January 5, 2026, dedicating its focus to the historic White Onion of Pompeii. This particular onion variety serves as a powerful symbol of the region's agricultural identity. Known locally as Bianca di Pompei, this cultivar traditionally yields a substantial white bulb topped with long green stalks. It is highly valued for its succulent flavor profile. Historically, onions were a vital crop, with cultivation potentially stretching back at least 5,000 years, possibly originating in Central Asia or Iran, according to many historical accounts.

In this debut installment, Chef Fabrizio Mellino, renowned for his dedication to honoring local ingredients, presented a contemporary take on an ancient Roman onion dish: the Patella Lucretiana. This recipe is documented in Marcus Gavius Apicius’s seminal work, De re coquinaria, which compiles recipes dating to the 5th and 6th centuries CE. Mellino, who holds three Michelin stars for his restaurant Quattro Passi, consistently champions biodiversity and sustainability. This commitment deeply informs his culinary philosophy, which remains firmly rooted in the Campania region.

Ingredients utilized for the filming and demonstration of these culinary techniques were sourced directly from the Pompeii Flora Nursery (Vivaio della Flora Pompeiana). This nursery is strategically situated on the grounds of the House of the Pansa. The nursery itself has been meticulously restored, adhering strictly to historical and archaeological data, effectively recreating the gardens known to have existed within the ancient city. The House of the Pansa, one of the most extensive private residences unearthed in Pompeii, once belonged to the Nigidius family and beautifully illustrates the sophistication of atrium-style Roman housing.

The program also incorporated scientific segments delving into paleobotanical findings from the excavation site. These segments highlighted the crucial work of botanist Wilhelmina Jashemski. In the 1950s, Jashemski discovered pollen and spore traces that provided concrete evidence of the area’s once-lush gardens. Furthermore, the series explored the historical medicinal uses of the onion, as documented by Pliny the Elder, who claimed it could enhance vision and treat various ailments. The characteristics of the onion variety currently grown at the nursery were closely examined, effectively linking ancient agricultural practices with contemporary conservation endeavors.

The Convivium project does more than just pay homage to Pompeii's agricultural roots; it also showcases the ingenuity of Roman engineering. An example highlighted is the recreation of the complex irrigation system that allowed gardeners to water plants without physically entering the garden space. Given that the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 CE preserved evidence of hundreds of gardens and vegetable plots, initiatives like this web series serve as a vital bridge connecting the distant past with the present day. They powerfully illustrate that cultivation was, without question, a central pillar of life in the ancient city.