A small establishment stands at the northeast corner of the building block which contains the House of the Bicentenary, alongside workshops and stores, near a convenient public well. A few tables, some benches, and the front room becomes a caupona (tavern) or popina (diner). The hot table has circular vats into which tubs of spiced wine or stew can be lowered to keep warm. Other wines might be kept chilled in a deep cellar, perhaps immersed in running water from the city system.

Behind the wooden grille are stairs to the loft, which could be used for living space and a kitchen area.

There were several cauponae and myriad shops in Herculaneum. This one -- with its shelves and tables and inlaid benches, and its decorative wooden partition -- is based on details from various examples.

From within the city, you can go directly to the Caupona Vallaris by clicking on the chapter XI entry Marcus Goes to the Tavern in Marcus' journal; you can also reach it by walking down "main street," the Decumanus Maximus.

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