It was August 24th, 79 AD. Imagine an ancient city with people carrying out every day tasks during the lazy afternoon hours. Then suddenly and unexpectedly, a volcano known as Mount Vesuvius erupts. A thick cloud of ash hovers the rabid volcano. Within minutes, the cloud expands into a rainfall of ash so dense that it is able to eclipse the sun, suddenly turning day into night…
The city darkens as ash, pumice and rock, blown into the direction of the town starts to accumulate. Roofs start to collapse and people start to suffocate from the noxious gases.
Finally, during the night the town is completely submerged in volcanic mud, ash and rocks. Those that were unable to or perhaps, unwilling to evacuate from the town were literally baked alive from the hot air surge. On that infamous day, the eruption of Mount Vesuvius caused Pompeii to cease from existing along with the neighboring towns Ercolano and Stabiae. It’s terrifying to think of this happening now, let alone in a time where there was little understanding of weather, geography and how to cope with emergencies.
The town of Pompeii was then forgotten, or cancelled as people say now, from most of the minds and the maps. Then, finally, 1,700 years later, a hint of an almost forgotten civilization started unfolding beneath the eyes of architect Domenico Fontana. As he dug an underground channel through Pompeii, he found some proof of the almost forgotten town. However, it took about 150 years until serious excavation work started.
Things to See and Do in Pompeii
Today, the ancient city of Pompeii remains are one of the most visited archaeological sites of the world. Still nowadays, the plaster casts of people and animals can be found, immortalized from that day of eruption. Strolling through the ruins gives visitors a glimpse of the every day life back then. Entire villas, stores and squares can be visited each providing extraordinary stories of the bygone era.
No trip to Pompeii is complete without exploring the arena, which is one of the most well preserved remains found among the ruins. This is where thousands of years ago gladiators fought and many games took place. This amphitheater was capable of accommodating an average of 20,000 spectators back then. The seats were carefully divided to separate social classes.
It is highly advisable to bring comfortable shoes as the Pompeii ruins cover a large area that will need to be walked. If it is summer, a pair of sunglasses, a hat, sun lotion and lots of water may be vital. Guided tours must be booked in advance as they tend to be overbooked, however, if this is not an option a map can be purchased even though some important facts and stories may be missed.
More artifacts may be found at the Naples Archaeological Museum. For those interested in the erotic artifacts, a special ”secret room” ticket may be issued inside the museum. A tour can be hired even though the artifacts are quite much ”self explanatory”.
Mount Vesuvius and the town of Ercolano can also be visited today either by car or public transportation. A bus can be taken up the crater. Breath taking views await at the top. The area around the mountain is now part of a national park.
The Sanctuary of the Madonna of the Rosary is often overlooked by tourists that flock towards the Pompei ruins. Yet, this stunning work of art should be seen. There is also a bell tower where you may take an elevator for a great aerial view of the Mount Vesuvius.
The city of Pompeii is a great testimony of an ancient civilization. As terrible as the volcanic eruption was back in 79 AD, it must be admitted that without it happening, we would not be able to appreciate today the opportunity to stroll around a city of several centuries ago.
How to get from Rome to Pompeii
There are several ways to get from central Rome to a Pompeii tour, but the most convenient options are:
By Train: You can purchase high-speed train tickets from Roma Termini Station (the center of Rome) to Napoli Centrale Station (Naples train station), which takes around 1 hour and 10 minutes. From there, you can take a local train to Pompeii Scavi Station, which takes about 30 minutes. Trains run regularly throughout the day, and you can check the schedules and purchase tickets online at the Trenitalia website.
By Bus: There are several bus companies that operate between Rome and Pompeii. The journey takes around 3-4 hours, depending on traffic. You can purchase tickets online or at the bus station.
By Car: You can also rent a car and drive from Rome to Pompeii. The journey takes around 2-3 hours, depending on traffic. However, driving in Italy can be challenging, especially in the busy cities, so it’s recommended to have experience driving in Europe.
Overall, taking the train is the most convenient and efficient way to get from Rome to Pompeii, as it’s fast and affordable, and you can enjoy the scenery along the way.
Entrance fees
Entrance tickets for Pompeii are currently as below and the opening times vary depending on the time of the year so it is best to check the website for more details.
Full price ticket: €18 per person
Reduced price ticket: €2 per person (for EU citizens aged 18-25 and teachers from EU schools)
Free admission: for EU citizens under 18 or over 65, and disabled visitors with one accompanying person.
Please note that these prices may be subject to change, so it’s best to check the official website for updated information and to purchase tickets in advance to avoid queues at the ticket office.
Additionally, some tour operators may include the entrance fee in their package, so it’s worth considering those options as well.
Tips
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In the summer months it can be incredibly hot in Pompeii. Take shade where possible in the private homes you can explore now, look for shade between the columns of the Temple of Isis and drink lots of water.
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Allow yourself extra time to explore the art work that remains on the walls of the Brothel, it is truly amazing!
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If you are to take a bus to Pompeii, then sit back and enjoy the scenic drive as you look up at the slope of mt. Vesuvius.
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To avoid long lines, visit early in the morning or late in the afternoon. This will mean you avoid the main sun hours too!
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If you’re visiting for a full-day tour then be sure to consider a combo tour of Herculaneum too, this other city was covered in volcanic ash and remains one of the best ways to discover the History of this region.
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Slow down to enjoy exploring the public baths. The public baths of Pompeii, also known as the “Terme del Foro”, were one of the most important and popular places for socializing and hygiene in ancient Pompeii. They were located near the Forum, the political and commercial center of the city.
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Consider a professional guide. A great option for those wanting to maximise their historical experience. You’ll find English-speaking tour leader guides to a private guide a great way to make the most out of your trip to this place.
The archaeological park of Pompeii are some of the most incredible to explore. It’s a good idea to take as much time as possible to really marvel in this incredible archeological site. It really is impossible to give you a full history of Pompeii in one blog post. To really make the most of the archaeological site of Pompeii then I’d recommend taking a fully guided tour, a small group tour or opting for an audio guide just to give you more information on this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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