Pompeii is a city entombed by ash that fell from an erupting Mount Vesuvius in AD 79. Found 150 miles south of Rome, close to Naples, many people visit this extraordinary city at the same time as the volcano that caused the destruction.
Today, it serves as a fascinating snapshot into the past. Everything has been preserved as it was on that fateful day: organic remains, wooden objects, artwork and even human bodies, can all be found just as they were. This is a glimpse into another world that you won’t want to miss.
This is the closest you’re going to get to time travel. A slice of history right before your eyes. No imagination required.
Pompeii was actually only uncovered by chance; some workmen nearby found ruins of another town which prompted further searches. Today, Pompeii sees over 2.5 million visitors a year and it’s estimated that a third of it still remains to be excavated.
The site is huge and would take at least 2 full days to tour the whole thing. Most people see the highlights in about 4 hours. Because it’s so large, it’s recommended to book on to a guided tour so you don’t miss anything important.
The archaeological site of Pompeii is part of a larger town called Pompei. It gets confusing as the only difference is the extra letter ‘i’. The inhabitants of Pompei today live with the knowledge that once again Vesuvius could explode.
Pompeii is an ongoing discovery site, so every stone is an archaeological find. Bulky bags and backpacks are forbidden as they might crash into things and cause damage. For similar reasons, it’s a no to pets, smoking and stopping at the edge of excavations.