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Visiting Pompeii is an unforgettable experience! Personally, I had visited Pompeii for the first time back in 1999 during an educational trip. During my tours as a tour leader, I am lucky enough to visit Pompeii with my groups and…visiting Pompeii never bores me!
How to get to Pompeii and how to visit Pompeii
To reach Pompeii from Naples, it is possible to use the Circumvesuviana train that leaves from Garibaldi Central Station. There are about two trains every hour.
Another, certainly easier, way is to join a guided tour from Naples, available HERE. By participating in a guided tour of Pompeii from Naples, you don’t have to worry about how to get to Pompeii and, in addition, you can participate in a guided tour, which makes the visit significantly more interesting. A guided tour of Pompeii is available HERE!
The history of Pompeii
Pompeii was founded in the ninth century BC. It became an important center from the third century B.C. onward. In fact, the Romans greatly appreciated the fertile land and mild climate of the Pompeii area. Pompeii’s demise came about due to natural disasters. Pompeii suffered a first blow in 62: an earthquake of the fifth degree on the Mercalli scale did much damage to the Roman city. On August 24, 79, the eruption of Mount Vesuvius led to the destruction of Pompeii. The Roman city, which at the time was inhabited by about twenty thousand people, was buried under about six meters of ash and other volcanic materials.
The eruption of Pompeii in 79 was described by Pliny the Younger. In two letters, addressed to Tacitus, the Latin writer described the four days that destroyed Pompeii, which also killed his uncle Pliny the Elder. The writer described that the sky above Pompeii turned black: most likely the inhabitants of Pompeii died without realizing what the impending danger actually was. Some estimates say that the eruption of Vesuvius caused about two thousand deaths in Pompeii alone.
Visit Pompeii: Porta Marina and Sanctuary of Apollo
The Porta Marina entrance is the one closest to the Forum, the historic center of Pompeii. Five minutes after the entrance it is possible to admire the splendid Sanctuary of Apollo. Dating back to the 6th century BC, the Sanctuary of Apollo was renovated several times. Here you can admire a replica of Apollo’s statue and, most importantly, you can appreciate the proximity to Vesuvius, which still looms menacingly a few kilometers away.
Visiting Pompeii: the Forum
The forum is located in close proximity to the Sanctuary of Apollo. This is the historic center of Pompeii as early as the fourth century. This square housed the main public and commercial buildings of ancient Pompeii. Initially the forum was not paved, but was made of simple beaten earth. Later the Forum was paved with travertine slabs.
In the final part of the Forum it is possible to admire the statue of the centaur, which, however, has nothing to do with ancient Rome. In fact, there are statues by Ivan Mitoraj in Pompeii, which are meant to represent the combination of ancient and recent art.
Visiting Pompeii: the baths
After passing through an honorary arch, and walking beside the bar/cafe (the only place to eat or drink anything in Pompeii) you can find the ancient Roman baths. The baths were commissioned by the commander Sulla in 80 BC. There were separate entrances according to gender.
The baths of Pompeii (and all the baths of ancient Rome) were divided into three sectors: tepidarium, frigidarium and calidarium. In these three sectors there was the possibility of finding water at different temperatures. Even today you can still appreciate the sculptures and paintings that graced the baths-it is a spectacular place! This is a VIDEO that demonstrates the beauty of the place!
Visiting Pompeii: home of the tragic poet
Just outside the ancient baths you can appreciate the house of the tragic poet. This house, open only on Sundays, boasts a beautiful mosaic with the inscription ‘Cave Canem’, watch out for the dog! The interior of the ancient house is adorned with a beautiful garden and some paintings: the originals are in the Archaeological Museum of Naples.
Visiting Pompeii: life
Walking in Pompeii it is possible to appreciate some glimpses of Roman life. There are, in fact, still traces of the chariots that plied the ancient Roman roads. Near the house of the tragic poet, moreover, it is possible to admire one of Pompeii’s 30 bakeries. Still today, in fact, it is possible to admire the place where bread was baked two thousand years ago.
What to see in Pompeii: the house of the Faun
Along Via delle Terme it is possible to admire one of the largest houses in ancient Pompeii: the House of the Faun. The importance of the person who lived in the villa can already be understood from the outside: in fact, before entering there is a giant sign ‘Have’, welcome, placed next to a giant doorway. It is currently possible to admire a replica of the statue of the Faun, a mythological dancing figure. Also in the House of the Faun, it is possible to admire a copy of the splendid mosaic from the 2nd century B.C. depicting the battle between Alexander the Great and Darius of Persia.
What to see in Pompeii: House of the Vettii
The house of the Vettii rightfully enters the list of what to see in Pompeii. This house was owned by two slaves, the Vettii brothers. These found freedom and became wealthy merchants. Their house houses sensational paintings. There is no shortage of erotic depictions: in particular, sexual acts are seen painted. There is also a mythological figure with a giant penis at the entrance.
The House of the Vettii is a real gem and a must-see in Pompeii! Pompeian red also stands out: this color was used extensively in the paintings of ancient Pompeii. HERE you can find a video of this amazing house.
Visiting Pompeii: the ancient lupanare
Returning to the forum, take Via dell’abbondanza, which leads to the amphitheater and the exit. At the second fountain (there are several places to drink drinking water in Pompeii!), turning left you can appreciate the ancient lupanare. Here, prostitutes, often oriental slaves, carried out their activities for a fee (the price was equal to a couple of glasses of wine).
Even today it is possible to admire paintings depicting sexual acts. The word lupanare comes from the Latin lupa, prostitute.
Visiting Pompeii: the Amphitheater
Just before the exit you can see the ancient Amphitheater. It was built in 70 BC, about 140 years before the more famous Roman Colosseum. The Amphitheater of Pompeii could accommodate 20,000 people. Because of the large capacity, it was decided to build the Amphitheater away from the center of Pompeii, so as to facilitate the outflow of people.
Pompeii’s Amphitheater still hosts concerts. The most important in recent times is certainly that of Pink Floyd, in 1972.
IN ADDITION TO HOW TO VISIT POMPEII YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN ….
USEFUL INFORMATION ON HOW TO VISIT POMPEII
- How long does a visit to Pompeii last? Two to three hours, in my opinion. A thorough visit to Pompeii can easily take a full day.
- On the first Sunday of the month, admission is free. The crowds, however, make the visit almost unbearable and I strongly advise against this day of the month.
- On other Sundays you can see the house of the tragic poet: definitely worth a visit!
- My podium of what to see in Pompeii consists of the baths, the forum and the House of the Faun.
- In summer, temperatures in Pompeii can exceed 35 degrees easily. There is little shade, so visiting is not pleasant during the hottest hours of the day.
- Admission to Pompeii costs 18 euros, while official opening hours are available on the official website.
- At the archaeological site of Pompeii you can fill your own water bottle at the many fountains.
- I strongly recommend using closed shoes or closed sandals. In fact, the old streets can be dangerous and you have to be careful where you walk.
- There is a lot of walking at the archaeological site of Pompeii: just think that from the forum to the Amphitheater you have to walk about 15 minutes.
- There is a chance to see casts depicting people who died during the eruption of Vesuvius in 79. The most interesting casts are located near the exit of the Amphitheater.
- Pompeii is definitely worth a visit! Definitely one of the things not to be missed in a week between Naples and the Amalfi Coast!
- Here is a map of what to see in Pompeii!
