Visiting the Pompeii Archaeological Site
Located about 30 kilometers from Naples, Pompeii is arguably one of the most famous archaeological sites on the planet. Built at the base of the 1,281-meter Mount Vesuvius, the entire city was buried by a massive volcanic eruption that lasted over 20 hours. In the autumn of 79, life there stopped for eternity, providing an intact record of daily existence in Ancient Rome. It was not until the late 16th century that the ruins were discovered, and systematic excavations did not begin until 1748. Even today, the Pompeii Archaeological Site is far from having revealed all its secrets.
An Invaluable Record of Ancient Rome
We owe the exceptional state of preservation of the Pompeii ruins to the materials from that deadly eruption. Protected from looting and the elements by a thick blanket of ash and volcanic debris, the city remains exactly as it was in the year 79. Captured in the finest detail, ordinary scenes of life are frozen in time. The atmosphere is palpable in every alleyway, which you can easily imagine bustling with activity and residents. The shops and homes along the Via dell'Abbondanza (Street of Abundance), the 142-meter-long Forum, the Temple of Apollo or Jupiter, and the frescoes of the Villa of the Mysteries all showcase the religious, economic, and social facets of Pompeii. The House of the Faun is the largest and one of the most luxurious insulae (apartment blocks), where you can find Alexander the Great depicted in mosaics, while the House of the Tragic Poet features mythological scenes painted on the walls. You can appreciate the sophistication of Roman civilization and its engineering through the Stabian Baths with their hot and cold water rooms, or the massive Amphitheater that held up to 20,000 spectators. A brothel is even perfectly preserved in the aptly named Lupanar. Only 1,100 bodies have been found so far, but the Pompeii Archaeological Site remains an active area of research, making every visit unique as new discoveries come to light.
Opening hours
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I had always dreamed of visiting Pompeii because my grandfather was passionate about the history of this city, and he passed that fascination for this place on to me. The visit is incredible, with some magnificent spots among the ruins, the vineyards, and Mount Vesuvius. The atmosphere of this place is simply unique, and seeing the still-preserved traces of this historical tragedy is truly impressive. You do not leave the same as you were when you arrived. Pack some good shoes, though. You will be running around on the cobblestones for quite a while!