Pompeii will open the Casa del Frutteto to the public from 1 February.

Pompeii, the vast archaeological site near Naples in southern Italy, will open its Casa del Frutteto, or House of the Orchard, on 1 February 2020 once its extensive restoration process is complete.

Considered one of the most beautiful houses on Via dell’Abbondanza, the building is embellished with detailed frescoes depicting a city garden, complete with lemon and strawberry trees, fluttering birds and even a fig tree sheltering a snake - a symbol of prosperity.

The House of the Orchard, believed to have been owned by a vintner, was excavated first in 1913 and again in 1951.

Its upcoming opening follows the "unprecedented" discovery of a fresco portraying fighting gladiators, found intact among the ruins of the ancient Roman city which was buried under a thick carpet of volcanic ash in 79 AD.