POMPEII CATS PHOTOSHOOT

When all the visitors have gone and the gates are closed for the day, another population takes over the Ancient Roman city of Pompeii , moving silently and confidently among the ruins of the once splendid Roman villas, the Baths, the Sports Centres, the one-time bakeries and Roman street food bars. That is when the cats of Pompeii come out to hunt and to play.

Lesser known than the historic cat colonies of Rome, the Pompeii Cats have now achieved due public recognition, immortalized in a photo book sponsored by the Archaeological Park of Pompeii and the Non-profit Archeogatti Association.

The cats are fed and looked after daily by the Park custodians as well as the public Veterinary Service, which also deals with sterilization and eventual health problems.

The book “Cats of Pompeii” is published by Giunti Editore and features the collection of photographs by archaeologist Silvia Vacca, who immortalized the cats in their leisure moments, undisturbed by the daytime crowds of visitors.

The present feline colony numbers between 40 and 50 cats. The book “Cats of Pompeii” is available online, as well as in the Pompeii site bookshop.

Info: Tel. +39.081.857327 www.pompeiisites.org.