The small town of Pompeii sat in the Campania region on the southwest coast of Italy is home to one of the world’s most important and unique archaeological sites. Who knows what would have happened had nearby Mount Vesuvius not erupted all those years back in August 79AD; however what stands today is a wonderfully preserved insight into Roman life. Frozen in time by the blanket of volcanic ash that covered the city, Pompeii is a captivating sight where visitors can retrace the lavish and debauchery led life lived by the city’s residents, walking in their footsteps and gazing in wonder at how well the temples, shops, theatres and paintings have been preserved.
Quite rightly Pompeii is an extremely popular attraction luring hoards of visitors throughout the year. For those that wish to stay on for a day or two the town is home to good selection of guesthouses and hotels, of which the vast majority are within walking distance of the ruins. Overnighters will also find the town well equipped with restaurants and pizzerias and the interesting art gallery of Museo Gracco. Many however choose to make Pompeii a daytrip arriving via bus or train from Naples and Sorrento. Regardless of how long is spent at the ruins a visit to Pompeii is a must on any traveller’s Italian itinerary. The Excavations (Scavi) - Of the 66 sprawling hectares of Pompeii more than 44 have witnessed some degree of excavation revealing the layout and architecture of the ancient city. Asides from the large residential areas the town has 3 important centres of activity - Forum, Triangular Forum and Amphitheatre and Palestra - which are home to the most interesting ruins.
Pompeii Forum - A vast open area lined on three sides by rising porches and on one by the 2BCTemple of Jupiter. This area was also home to the city’s central food market Macellum and the Basilica, the former home of the law courts and exchange.
Triangular Forum - Taking its name from the obvious triangular shape this forum was the centre of the Theatre District, dominated by the ruins of the 6BC DoricTemple. Of the theatres, Teatro Grande was the most important with an audience capacity of 5,000 and the Odeon was used for musical performances. Be sure to check out the finely preserved Temple of Isis dedicated to the Egyptian goddess Isis.
Amphitheatre & Palestra - At the end of Via dell’Abbondanza, once lined with an assortment of shops, sit’s the Palestra is the main sporting arena, gymnasium and swimming pool. A little further along the street is the Amphitheatre, the largest of its kind in the world, with place for 1000 spectators and dating back to 80BC.
Casa dei Misteri - The House of the Mysteries is one of the most curious and interesting villas within the city revered for both its exquisite architecture and fine collection of paintings covering all styles of Pompeii art. The most famous painting is a wall fresco seemingly depicting a women’s initiation ceremony into the Cult of Dionysis.
Terme Suburbane - On the outside of the city are a group of intriguing thermal baths, thought to be the most recent of all found within Pompeii. These particularly baths are unique in that they go against the norms of Roman tradition by allowing men and women to bathe together. Inside are some excellent erotic paintings including one depicting a female homosexual encounter.
Opening times of the ruins are: November to March, daily from 8.30am to 5pm & April to October, daily from 8.30am to 7.30pm (last entrance one and a half hours before closing time).
Entrance fee: 1-day ticket, €11 / free for EU residents under 18 and over 65 & 3-day ticket, €20.
Pompeii Guided Tours - A good way to see the ruins and get a good understanding of the significance of each complex is to enter on a guided tour. Numerous guides loiter outside the ticket office offering tours, however for official authorized tours look out for any of the following; Pompeii Cast, G.A.T.A. and GEA.