How People Moved Around Pompeii: Streets, Carts & Sedan Chairs

Pompeii's 66-hectare grid was designed for pedestrian and wheeled traffic.

Street Network

• Paving: Large polygonal basalt slabs (viae) — durable, drained.
• Widths: Main decumanus/cardo: 8 m (two-way cart traffic). Secondary: 4–5 m. Alleys: 2–3 m.
• Stepping stones: Raised blocks at intersections — cross street without stepping in sewage/runoff; spaced for cart wheels.
• Sidewalks: Elevated (30 cm), often colonnaded (porticoes) on main streets.

Main Arteries

• Via dell'Abbondanza (decumanus maximus): E–W, commercial heart — shops, taverns, baths.
• Via Stabiana (cardo maximus): N–S, connected to Stabiae gate.
• Via di Nola, Via delle Terme, Via Consolare — other key routes.

Transport Modes

• Walking: Most common. City walkable in 20–30 min.
• Carts/Wagons: Two-wheeled (cisium), four-wheeled (raeda) — goods, construction. Rental available.
• Sedan Chairs (lecticae): Carried by slaves — elite transport.
• Horseback: Less common in dense city; more for messengers/travel outside.

Traffic Management

• One-way streets (evidence from wear patterns).
• Daytime cart restrictions in forum area.
• Water fountains (nymphaea) at intersections — traffic calming.

Excavation reveals wheel ruts, stepping stones, and shop-front awnings — a vibrant, congested Roman streetscape.