The regular detailed tour lasts from 6 hours, you can shorten the tour to a minimum of 3 hours and see only the main attractions.
ATTENTION: the city is located outdoors, and you can only move around on foot. In summer, Naples has high temperatures, it is better to book the tour early in the morning or after lunch, be sure to bring water and headgear.
Pompeii – as is known, was buried under a multi-meter layer of ash during the eruption of Vesuvius. Today, the city represents an enormous open-air museum, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1997.
The city was founded by the Oscans in the 6th century. The name of the city comes from the Oscan word pumpe – five, as the city was formed by the merging of five smaller settlements. Another version of the name’s origin is Greek, from the word pompe – triumphal procession. According to this legend, the city was founded by Hercules, who, after defeating Geryon, ceremoniously walked through these places. At different times, the city was owned by the Greeks, Etruscans, and Samnites. The city occupied an important place on the trade route between Ancient Rome and Southern Italy. Many noble Romans had villas in the territory of Pompeii. In 62 AD, an earthquake caused significant damage to the city. On August 24, 79, Vesuvius awakened. The volcano ejected thousands of tons of ash and lava from its depths. Pompeii, Stabiae, and Herculaneum were destroyed. Approximately 16,000 people died. Excavations of Pompeii began in 1748. The leaders of the excavations were only interested in finds that had artistic value. At that time, everyone was sure that the excavated city was Stabiae. In 1763, an inscription on a pedestal was discovered, and the city was identified as Pompeii. In 1870, it was discovered that voids were forming in the place where the bodies of the deceased were located. The voids were filled with plaster, and the dying poses of the victims of the catastrophe were recreated. Since 1960, only restoration work has been carried out on the excavated territory.
In Pompeii, you will be able to see:
The Sea Gate, Temple of Apollo, Basilica, Forum, public buildings, market, Building of Eumachia, Temple of Vespasian, Macellum, Antiquarium, Temple of Jupiter, house of the tragic poet, baths, Temple of Fortune of Augustus, house of the Faun, thermopolia, house of the Vettii, aqueduct, Lupanar (brothel), Street of Abundance, palestra, Great Theater, gladiator barracks. The Small Theater or Odeon, House of Ceius, House of Menander, Wool Factory, thermopolium of Azelina, house of Pacvius Proculus, unexcavated Pompeii, Refugees’ Garden, Amphitheater, Necropolis, House of Sallustius, bakery, Herculaneum Gate, Villa of Cicero, Villa of Diomedes, caravanserai, Street of Tombs, Villa of Mysteries.
