Pompeii & Vesuvio

Pompeii has ancient origins, almost as Rome. Rich in monuments and squares, Pompeii is the city of the beautiful country – perhaps more than any other – where history lives and it is shown to the enchanted eyes of millions of tourists. Even you have not been able to resist its charm, aren’t you?
Do not be afraid, even if you have little time or you are just passing through on business you can visit Pompeii. Nothing is impossible if you really want, as long as the alarm sounds early in the morning. Try to be in town for 8:00, Pompeii is well connected, arriving there and moving around is quick and easy. 
Dedicate a full day to the ruins of Pompeii.
, the ruins of Pompeii, here is what to see inside:
Few tips for you: wear comfortable shoes and bring with you sandwich, water, smartphone for photos, sunscreen in summer and umbrella  in winter… there is much to see and you have to walk.

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The Forum and the Temple of Apollo
From Via Marina you have now the opportunity to see the historical centre of Pompei inside the archaeological site. The Forum is the beating heart of the city, economic ,cultural and religious centre, political Agora of the debates that inflamed the population.
During the second century a.D. the Forum was expanded: the traditional flooring made in tuff was replaced by travertine, widely used today, the square was enriched with numerous workshops and public buildings.
In the middle stands the temple of Apollo, one of the oldest religious buildings of Pompeii. This place is worshiped different gods such as Apollo and Mercury. The statuettes found are now  at the Archaeological Museum of Naples.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The amphitheatre
It is the oldest stone building ever found, dating back to 80 BC, was the scene of bloody battles between gladiators and has a capacity of 20,000 spectators, you can easily reach it from the hole into Via dell’Abbondanza.
The arena was accessed through a tunnel, the crypt is connected to four inputs. Unlike other Roman amphitheatres the Pompeian one has not underground, at the top are visible the holes used to support the roof of the arena in order to protect the spectators from the sun when it was too hot and from the rain.

Did you know that Pink Floyd played in this timeless place in 1971? They recorded their Live at Pompeii, a concert without an audience, as if to pay homage to the souls of fallen warriors in battle. One of his most exciting in the history of Rock.
I want to give you a little tip: if you have the opportunity to stay until sunset, Via dell’Abbondanza is a very surreal scenery for a walk. It gives you the sensation of being suspended time between dream and reality.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

House of the Faun
If you are a lover of ancient history, you should not miss the House of the Faun: it is located not far from the Forum, in Via della Fortuna. This ancient Roman villa occupies inside the archaeological site about 3000 square meters, and it is one of the oldest and majestic city buildings.
Its size suggests that it belonged to an outstanding member of the Roman nobility. It owes its name to the Faun, Roman god of woods and nature: his small bronze statue is located in the atrium at the center of the impluvium.
Surrounded by huge gardens, the hotel is characterized by more entrances. The right door introduces to environments of personal use: bathrooms, stables, baths and kitchen. The door opened to the left instead of sector representation. The floors are covered with mosaics and decorations date back to the Pompeian style.
The center of the house was decorated with a mosaic depicting the victory of Alexander the Great against Darius, king of Persia, currently on display at the museum in Naples. Small curiosity: it is thought that the villa had belonged to the grandson of the tyrant Silla.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The large theatre
Located not far from the House of the Faun and the Sanctuary, the Large Theatre was built in the second century BC .The stairs were realized by exploiting the cavity of the slope. The structure could accommodate about 5,000 spectators, to each one was reserved a number.
The upper tier is divided into seven sectors and is supported by a ring–shaped corridor. The stairway was protected by a wall that supported the awning, a mobile tarp sheltered spectators from the elements. The stage and the set were accompanied by statues and marble. On stage they were performed the famous comedies of Plautus and Terence.
Endorse the Grand Theatre can be the icing on the cake of your short visit to Pompeii. It is still very active, recently were brought on stage works of the caliber of Boheme of Puccini and Bizet’s Carmen. What are you waiting for?

 

 

 

 

Useful info:
When: from 1 November to 31 March: daily from 8:30 to 17:00, with last admission at 15:30. From 1 April to 31 October: daily from 8:30 to 19:30, with last admission at 18:00.
Closed: 1st January, 1st May and 25th December.
How much: adults € 11 concessions € 5.50. Ticket for access to the sites of Pompeii, Herculaneum, Oplontis, Stabia, Boscoreale (valid for 3 days) costs € 20, € 10 concessionary. Free entry for EU citizens under 18 or over 65 years.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vesuvius National Park
The Vesuvius is one of the most studied and well-known volcanoes in the world. A symbol of Naples with its unique shape, it has a typical frusto-conical shape, with its highest peak reaching 1,277 metres. The crater currently has a diameter of 450 metres and a depth of 300 metres.
The territory of the Vesuvius National Park is rich in natural resources, history of volcanology, breath-taking landscapes, age-old cultivations and traditions that make the Vesuvius area one of the most fascinating and most visited places in the world.
The Vesuvius National Park was officially founded on 5th June 1995 to preserve animal and plant species, plant and forest associations, geological singularities, paleontological formations, biological communities, biotopes, scenic values, natural processes, the hydraulic and hydrogeological balance and the ecological balance of the Vesuvius territory.