If you come to Naples for at least two or three days, I recommend that you definitely find time to visit Pompeii, which is located only 25 kilometers from the city. The train journey will take approximately 25-40 minutes. This ancient Roman city was covered in many meters of volcanic ash from the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD. Pompeii is now an open-air museum and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997. More than two and a half million tourists visit Pompeii every year, making it one of Italy's most popular tourist attractions.
There is an assumption that the city of Pompeii was founded in the VII-VI centuries BC by the Osci, who previously lived near the modern city of Nola. As for the name, there are two main versions. The first is related to the Os word "pumpe", i.e. “five”: it was from the union of 5 small settlements that the city was created. The second version is associated with the Greek word "pompe", which means "triumphal procession": according to legend, after the defeat of Geryon, Hercules triumphantly walked through these places and founded the city. From I century BC Pompeii became a Roman colony. From then on, noble Romans in Pompeii began to build houses en masse, which continued until disaster struck.
In 79, Mount Vesuvius erupted, leaving Pompeii and part of the population under lava and ash. At that time, about 20 thousand people lived in the city. It is unknown how many of them managed to escape. The volcano also destroyed Herculaneum and Stabia. It should also be noted that 17 years before this terrible tragedy, a strong earthquake occurred in Pompeii.
In 1891, a new city of the same name was founded next to old Pompeii. Archaeological excavations began intensively in the second half of the 18th century. I will offer you the most important sights discovered during excavations that you can see in Pompeii.
Villa of Mystery:
This is a Roman villa from the II century BC, painted with frescoes of unknown significance.
House of the Faun:
Same as Casa del Fauno - the largest and most luxurious residence in ancient Pompeii. There is a copy of a bronze statue of a faun here, which seems to welcome tourists. Hence the name.
Amphitheater of Pompeii:
Ancient Roman arena with 20,000 seats for gladiator fights. The oldest stone stadium that has survived to this day is older than the Roman Colosseum.
Lupanary:
The same as a brothell. The largest in Pompeii. Tourists here are most attracted to the walls painted with erotic frescoes:
Thermal baths of Pompeii:
Five public thermal baths have been found in the ruins of Pompeii. Each of them is divided into women's and men's sections.
Garden of the Runaways:
In this place most of the victims of the eruption of Mount Vesuvius were discovered. Previously, there was an orchard here, but now 13 petrified bodies remind us of the fury of nature.
House of Vetti (Domus):
The House of Vetti is one of the many houses in Pompeii. The domus is a large house in which representatives of the upper classes of Rome lived. The walls inside Vetti's house are richly painted with frescoes.
House of the Tragic Poet:
This is a house of the II century BC. It has enough decorative details depicting scenes from Greek mythology.
Temple of Apollo:
This is a temple of the VI century BC, in honor of the Greek and Roman god Apollo.
Temple of Jupiter:
Dated to II century BC.
House of Salustius:
The oldest parts of this house date back to the IV century BC. The name was chosen based on an election notice found near the house. It is written that citizen Gaius Salustius is recommended for election to this position.
This is a small list of what is worth seeing in Pompeii.
To get there, you can take the Circumvesuviana train. Departs from the central station. Naples-Sorrento line, stop Pompei Scavi; tariff zone NA3; one way fare – 2.80 euros; Travel time is about 25 minutes.
Pompeii can be visited every day: from November 1 to March 31 - 09:00-17:00, from April 1 to October 31 - from 09:00-19:00. Closed days: January 1, May 1 and December 25.
Ticket price - 18 euros, for EU citizens aged 18-25 years - 2 euros. Admission is free on the first Sunday of every month.
For detailed and up-to-date information, visit the website: http://www.pompeiisites.org.
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