Vesuvian Area

<< Campania

Just east of Naples is Mount Vesuvius, a large volcano surrounded by many populous towns. The history of this area has been shaped by the volcano, which has erupted several times, most notably in 79 CE, when it destroyed various Roman cities such as Pompeii and Herculaneum. The Vesuvian Area thus features many important archaeological areas, along with various other historic landmarks.

Pompei

Pompei is a town located at the foot of Mount Vesuvius in the Metropolitan City of Naples. Founded around the 8th century BCE, it was later inhabited by Greeks, Samnites, and Romans. Under the Romans it was known as Pompeii, and flourished, but was destroyed by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 CE. The ruins of Pompeii were excavated starting in the 18th century, and are now one of the largest and most famous archaeological areas in the world. The modern town only developed in the late 19th century around a sanctuary.

✪ Archaeological Park of Pompeii

Pompeii was a flourishing town during the Roman age, but it was buried by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 CE, along with other towns in the area. Its ruins are now famous all over the world, and are among the largest and most important archaeological sites ever found. The archaeological park includes countless attractions, and features numerous ancient houses, villas, temples, thermal baths, and other buildings that provide a unique look into the life of ancient Romans. Several buildings in the park are adorned with mosaics, frescoes, and other artworks, and a huge amount of objects and human remains have been found here. The city includes large structures such as the Amphitheater (Anfiteatro), the Large Theater (Teatro Grande), and the Basilica. At the center of the town was the Forum (Foro), which houses the ruins of the Temple of Jupiter (Tempio di Giove), while several other buildings are located along Via dell’Abbondanza, the main road. Among the many houses adorned with artworks, the most famous are the House of the Faun (Casa del Fauno), the House of the Vettii (Casa dei Vettii), and the House of the Surgeon (Casa del Chirurgo), just to name a few. Just outside Pompeii are the ruins of a necropolis and some villas. The most notable of these is the Villa of the Mysteries (Villa dei Misteri), which features some of the best preserved Roman frescoes ever found.

✪ Shrine of the Virgin of the Rosary of Pompei

The Shrine of the Virgin of the Rosary of Pompei (Santuario della Beata Vergine del Rosario di Pompei) is a large church in Pompei, and one of the most visited sanctuaries in Italy. Built in Neoclassical style in the late 19th century, the church was expanded in the 1930s. Its interior is richly adorned and features various artworks, including the venerated painting depicting Our Lady of the Rosary.

Boscoreale

Boscoreale is a town located just north of Pompei. In Roman times, it hosted various villas, which were destroyed by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 CE.

✪ Roman Villas of Boscoreale

Various Roman villas destroyed by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 CE have been found in Boscoreale. These were rural residences of wealthy Romans, and were often adorned with frescoes, mosaics, and artworks. Among these are Villa Regina, Villa della Pisanella, and the Villa of Publius Fannius Synistor (Villa di Publio Fannio Sinistore). A large number of silver and gold objects, known as Boscoreale Treasure (Tesoro di Boscoreale) have been found in Villa della Pisanella, while many of the fresoces of the Villa of Publius Fannius Synistor have been removed and are now located in various museums. Next to Villa Regina is the Antiquarium of Boscoreale, an archaeological museum dedicated to the life of the ancient Romans around this area.

Torre Annunziata

Torre Annunziata is a city located on the Gulf of Naples, near Mount Vesuvius. Inhabited since ancient times, it was the site of Oplontis, a suburban area destroyed by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 CE. The modern town emerged in the Middle Ages, and it is now mostly an industrial center.

✪ Archaeological Area of Oplontis

Oplontis is an archaeological site in the modern town of Torre Annunziata. It was once a suburban area of Pompeii adorned with villas of wealthy Romans, and was destroyed by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 CE. The main site in the area is Villa Poppaea (Villa di Poppea), which might have been the residence of the second wife of emperor Nero. This was one of the largest and most luxurious villas in the region, and it features numerous elaborate frescoes. Nearby are some other smaller villas.

Rock of Rovigliano

The Rock of Rovigliano (Scoglio di Rovigliano) is a rocky islet located at the border between the municipalities of Torre Annunziata and Castellammare di Stabia. In the Early Middle Ages it was the site of a private house, later turned into a monastery, and then a fortress. In the 1930s it briefly hosted a restaurant, but now it sits abandoned, with the ruins of a tower and a few other structures.

Ercolano

Ercolano is a city located at the foot of Mount Vesuvius and facing the Gulf of Naples. This was the site of the ancient Roman city of Herculaneum, which was destroyed by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 CE. A village called Resina later emerged here, and became famous during the 18th century, with the discovery of the ancient ruins and the construction of many villas. The town grew, and its name was changed to Ercolano in 1969. Now it is known all over the world thanks to its archaeological area, similarly to the nearby Pompei.

✪ Archaeological Park of Herculaneum

The ruins of the ancient Roman city of Herculaneum, destroyed by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 CE, are located in a large archaeological area in the modern Ercolano. The ancient town, much smaller than nearby Pompeii, was divided into city blocks, and several houses and buildings can be visited today. Among these are numerous structures adorned with ancient mosaics and frescoes, and some large thermal baths. Many of the buildings in Herculaneum are better preserved than those in Pompeii. Numerous ancient objects and artworks have been unearthed in Herculaneum, along with several skeletons and human remains. The archaeological area also includes luxurious villas outside the town, such as Villa of the Papyri (Villa dei Papiri).

✪ Mount Vesuvius

Mount Vesuvius (Vesuvio) is an active volcano that stands east of Naples and near the shore of the Gulf of Naples. Known for its many eruptions, most notably the one that destroyed the Roman towns of Pompeii and Herculaneum in 79 CE, it is now a national park. The summit of Mount Vesuvius can be visited, and there are paths running along the top of the crater.

Virtual Archaeological Museum

The Virtual Archaeological Museum (Museo Archeologico Virtuale) is an archaeological museum in Ercolano, located near the ruins of Herculaneum. The museum houses various exhibitions on the life of ancient Romans in the area around Herculaneum and Pompeii, and the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 CE.

Miglio d’Oro

The Miglio d’Oro (“Golden Mile”) is a section of the road that links the ruins of Herculaneum with the town of Torre del Greco, but sometimes extended to Portici and the easternmost neighborhoods of Naples. During the 18th century, noble and wealthy families built some of the most luxurious villas of the time along this road. Some of the villas have been abandoned, but others are still adorned with rich frescoes and many artworks. Among these are the richly decorated Villa Campolieto and Villa Favorita in Ercolano, and Villa delle Ginestre in Torre del Greco, once the residence of poet Giacomo Leopardi.

Basilica of Santa Maria a Pugliano

The Basilica of Santa Maria a Pugliano is the main church of Ercolano. Built in the 11th century, it is the oldest church around Mount Vesuvius, and it was later reworked with Neoclassical additions. The church houses various artworks and two marble sarcophagi dating from the 2nd and 4th century.

Portici

Portici is a town located between Naples and Ercolano on the Gulf of Naples. It is known for its large royal palace and various other historic villas.

✪ Royal Palace of Portici

The Royal Palace of Portici (Reggia di Portici) is a former royal palace erected in Portici during the 18th century by the Bourbon family. Today, it hosts the Faculty of Agriculture of the University of Naples Federico II. The palace features many halls richly adorned with elaborate frescoes and artworks, and it is surrounded by a large park. The park also features various attractions, and includes the Botanical Garden of Portici (Orto Botanico di Portici).

Nola

Nola is a town in the Metropolitan City of Naples, located northeast of Mount Vesuvius. This is one of oldest cities in Campania, inhabited since the Bronze Age. A flourishing town under the Romans, it later declined but rose to prominence in the Late Middle Ages as the capital of a county. Now it is a suburb of Naples.

Archaeological Museum of Nola

The Archaeological Museum of Nola (Museo Archeologico di Nola) is a museum that hosts several archaeological findings from the area around the town. Its collection includes objects dating from prehistory to the Middle Ages.