What Nature Destroyed
It Also Preserved.
November 15, 2025 - April 12, 2026
Sybil B. Harrington Gallery, Level 3
A volcano awakens. A city vanishes. Through 150 artifacts, POMPEII: THE EXHIBITION tells the tale of a city hidden from view and forgotten for centuries.
POMPEII: THE EXHIBITION, finishes its North American tour at the Arizona Science Center, located in Phoenix, AZ. The exhibition examines the lives of residents of Pompeii before and after the catastrophic eruption of Mount Vesuvius on August 24th, 79 A.D. Over 150 artifacts on loan from the collections of the Naples National Archaeological Museum in Italy and the Archaeological Park of Pompeii will be displayed when the exhibition opens on November 15, 2025, for a limited time.
Visitors to the exhibition will travel back in time to 79 A.D. when Pompeii bustled as a commercial port and strategic military and trading city. In a media-rich, object-based, immersive experience, they will learn how the people of Pompeii lived, loved, worked, worshipped and found entertainment.
Featuring over 150 artifacts including frescoes, mosaics, and statues, hidden from view and forgotten for centuries until rediscovery over 250 years ago. The sudden disaster that destroyed Pompeii also preserved it and over time archaeologists have uncovered a unique record of its daily life — roads, buildings, municipal services, paintings, mosaics, artifacts, and even preserved bodies. Ongoing excavations at the site provide an ever-evolving picture of everyday life at the height of the Roman Empire.
POMPEII: THE EXHIBITION will be open Tuesday - Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. through Sunday, April 12, 2026.. The exhibition is generously supported by U.S. Bank & SRP
POMPEII: THE EXHIBITION Includes:
- Introductory theatre where the scene is set in a video with dramatic reconstructions that describe Pompeii and the nearby volcano.
- Visitors are then transported back in time to 79 A.D. and find themselves in a reproduced atrium from a Roman villa, where they will embark on a journey through the ancient city.
- Through the use of projections, audio, video, photographic murals, and graphic reproductions of frescoes and mosaics, visitors will experience different locations that existed in the city, including a market, a temple, theater, and baths.
- Over 150 authentic artifacts will help bring the story of Pompeii to life. These remarkable objects include: Mosaics and frescoes, gladiator helmets, armor, and weapons, a ship’s anchor, lamps, jugs, cups, plates, pots and pans and other household objects and furniture, jewelry, medical instruments, and tools.
- A simulated eruption will allow visitors to experience the deathly impact Mount Vesuvius had on this ancient city, culminating in the reveal of full body casts of twisted human forms, asphyxiated by extreme heat and noxious gases and forever frozen in time.
Pricing
This is a premium add-on experience and requires a separate purchase from Arizona Science Center admission.
Daytime Pricing
Members: $15.00
Includes Anytime Access & Audio Tour
Premium Ticket: $20.00
Includes Anytime Access & Audio Tour
Timed Ticket: $17.00
Additional Add-On — Audio Tour: $5.00
For groups of 15 or more, please contact groups@azscience.org for pricing and additional information.
Audio Guide
Included with Member and Premium Tickets.
Available as a $5.00 Add-On
Use your phone camera to scan, identify, and explore the objects in the exhibition. Available on both iOS and Android as a web app. Please be sure to bring headphones to listen on your smartphone as you tour the exhibition.
POMPEII: THE EXHIBITION After Hours
Extend your adventure into the evening with special after-hours access to POMPEII: THE EXHIBITION. Enjoy a rare opportunity to experience the wonder and drama of ancient Pompeii in a relaxed, atmospheric nighttime setting. History awaits.
After Hours Pricing
Premium Ticket: $22.00 | Member $17.00
Reserve Your Showtime & Tickets Below
Frequently Asked Questions
Planning your visit? We’ve gathered the most common questions to help you make the most of your experience. Below you’ll find quick answers about the exhibition, ticketing, accessibility, and general visit information. Whether it’s your first time or a return visit, this guide will help you feel prepared and confident before you arrive.
The exhibition is generally the least busy on weekday afternoons. If you’re interested in seeing this exhibit with fewer guests in the galleries, we recommend visiting then.
A self guided audio tour is available for use on personal devices and can be purchased either seperately or as included with certain tickets. The are no docent tours of this exhibition at this time.
We generally recommend this exhibit for visitors aged 12 and up. However, we ultimately allow parents and guardians decide if their child is mature enough for this exhibition and its content. Our exhibition is professionally curated to provide a thought-provoking and educational experience.
The exhibition is open through April 2026 for a limited time before the objects must return to Italy.
To ensure your preferred date and time, pre-purchased tickets are highly recommended.
You can use your phone or camera to take pictures, but flash, tripods, selfie sticks, or any other devices that can disturb the other visitors’ movements or vision are not allowed.
Both Arizona Science Center and the Exhibion are wheelchair accessible.
In addition to the audio guide, we can provide a text-based version of the guide. All displays and objects throughout the exhibit have individual descriptions, and all videos are subtitled.
Ticketing FAQ
You can buy tickets at www.azscience.org
You can reach out to Arizona Science Center via email at hello@azscience.org or via phone at 602.716.2000
You can reach out to the Arizona Science Center via email at hello@azscience.org or via phone at 602.716.2000
We recommend that all guests arrive at the venue at least 15 minutes prior to the time stated on their ticket. Due to the high volume of visitors to the exhibition, immediate access to the galleries is not guaranteed and guests should expect to queue briefly before entering the exhibition.
There are no refunds and no cancellations except as expressly outlined in this ticket exchange policy. The deadline for all exchanges is 24 hours before the date and time on the original ticket. To request a refund or exchange, please email Arizona Science Center Guest Sales and Services Team.
Patrons supporting persons with disabilities receive free admission to the exhibit and do not require an entry ticket. At no time will a patron with a disability who is accompanied by a support person be prevented from having access to their support person while on the exhibit premises.
A group discount is available for groups of 15 or more. Please visit our group ticket page to submit your group booking request.
There is special pricing available for seniors and children. There are also discounts for groups of 15+. Please visit our group ticket page to submit your group booking request.
General FAQ
We encourage you to leave valuables, large bags, and other personal belongings at home. For the safety of our visitors and the collection, all bags entering or leaving the exhibit, including purses, are subject to inspection.
Backpacks, suitcases, and duffle bags are not permitted in the exhibition.
Wheelchairs, walkers, and scooters are all permitted.
Service animals are permitted, but please be advised that the volume and visuals may be uncomfortable for animals. For non-traditional service animals please contact us in advance.
Strollers are permitted within the premises; however, to ensure the safety and comfort of all guests, we kindly ask that they not be brought into the gallery area.
Please consider parking your strollers at the designated area near the self-serve coat check before exploring the exhibition. Our staff will be happy to assist you in finding the appropriate spot for your stroller.
Arizona Science Center has restrooms available on the first and third levels of the building. Unisex or companion-assisted restrooms are also available near the main lobby near the membership desk. There are 3 restroom locations on level 1: one between the membership check-in desk and the gift shop, one behind the Daniel Cracchiolo Demonstration Stage and one in the eastern most area of the All About Me gallery. There is one restroom area on level 3 inside the Forces of Nature gallery.
Arizona Science Center is located between 5th and 7th Street on Washington Street in Heritage & Science Square. The entrance is accessible from Heritage Square, facing Monroe Street. The Heritage and Science Park Garage is conveniently located on 5th Street and Monroe Street. The Center will validate your parking pass to receive a discounted price on parking—only valid at the Heritage Parking Garage. Parking validation and discounted rates are not offered for any other garage including Phoenix Convention Center garages.
Please bring your Heritage Garage parking ticket with you. Parking validation is available at the Information Zone, Ticket Counter, and Membership Zone.
Backpacks, suitcases, and duffle bags are not permitted in the exhibit.
Weapons of any kind, including firearms, mace, pepper spray, knives, sharp objects, bats, clubs, tasers, etc.
Outside food or beverage (Water bottles with sealable caps are permissible) (Exceptions will be made for those with medical requirements and/or special needs.
Professional camera equipment (e.g., monopods; bipods; tripods; selfie-sticks, etc.).
Laser pointers or flashlights.
Illegal drugs/alcoholic substances (current prescription medication in the original container is permitted, provided the guest produces identification matching the prescription container).
Cans (including aerosols), bottles, boxed liquids, metal, glass, or other insulated containers.
Pets, other than service animals.
Signs, posters, or garments with offensive language, phrasing, or symbols.
Noisemakers, air horns, bells, bull horns, whistles, etc.
Plan Your Visit Today!
POMPEII: THE EXHIBITION will be open daily from November 15, 2025, through April 12, 2026, in the Sybil B. Harrington Gallery, Level 3.