Herculaneum and Mount Vesuvius

Stopped in their history in A.D. 79 by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius, Pompeii and Herculaneum offer the best view on antiquity of 2000 years ago Roman life. They are both well-preserved because of the ashes and other materials which covered them until few centuries ago, but while Pompeii is grander, Herculaneum is smaller, intimate and more intact.

Herculaneum has a Greek origin. It was a fishing town and harbors many archaeological finds from carbonized furniture and clothing to artistic and colored mosaics. It preserves some delicate items too, because during the volcano’s eruption, it was submerged by a thick sea of mud which fossilized the city and its life. Take your time to walk the site, to look at the preserved skeletons, warped by terror, and reflect on the thoughts of these people caught by surprise by coming of mud and ashes which would have stopped their lives forever.

Prior to A.D. 79 and to Mount Vesuvius eruption, thousands of people decided to live in the shadow of this mountain, considering it as a gift from the gods: no one would have predicted the fury of their ‘big lug’… Go to the top of the mountain and walk the path that runs along the crater’s edge, 1281 meters above sea level: you will have the chance to listen the sound of the little stones falling down in the crater, while admiring oneof the most wonderful and breathtaking sights of your life.