The Hidden City of Pompeii

A trip to Italy is not complete without a trip to explore the ruins of Pompeii. You can feel the history in each step you take. The tour takes you back in time. I am glad that I got to experience this tour while traveling to Italy, long before the pandemic.

What happened?

About 2,000 years ago, Pompeii was a bustling, thriving city in what is now Southern Italy. During the summer of A.D. 79, the Mount Vesuvius volcano erupted, which spewed smoke and toxic gas as far as 20 miles around in the air, which spread to the town of Pompeii. This caused nearly 10,000 residents in Pompeii to vanish under the blanket of ash from the volcano.

Pompeii was basically lost and forgotten until it was rediscovered thanks to excavations in 1748. Thanks to these excavations, which are still going on today, scientists have been able to figure out almost exactly what happened on that terrible day. Visiting the ruins of Pompeii is like going back in time. The layers of ash actually preserve the buildings, artwork, and even the forms of many bodies as they decomposed and left holes in the ash. This then allowed experts to fill in the details that might not have survived at many other Roman sites.

Based on what they uncovered, scientists believe that Pompeii was a prosperous town popular with wealthy vacationing Romans. Well-paved streets had high sidewalks and stepping-stones to keep pedestrians out of the mud. To relax, people soaked in public baths, watched gladiators or chariot races at an amphitheater, and enjoyed plays in two theaters. Some speculate that it was first occupied by the Greeks.

Facts about Pompeii

. Pompeii lies at the base of Mount Vesuvius

. The date of the actual eruption is still unclear.

. Pompeii is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site

In 1997, Pompeii was given the status of World Heritage Site. It provides a complete example of Roman life, architecture, community and history. Scientists have learned so much from the excavations at Pompeii.

. Bodies were cast by researchers

Bodies were discovered underneath the ash and pumice. Giuseppe Fiorelli came up with the idea of injecting plaster into these gaps to create plaster casts of the bodies of the people buried at Pompeii.

. There is a lot of graffiti in Pompeii

It is not modern-day graffiti, but rather graffiti from before the eruption. Mostly it was private messages, public announcements and notices.

. Pink Floyd recorded a live performance in Pompeii’s Roman Amphitheater in 1972.

There was no live audience present, but filmmaker Adrien Maben brought his vision to life and it is surely a huge moment in rock history.

. Pompeii was once occupied by the Greeks

. Scans of the bodies in Pompeii revealed perfect teeth.

. Pompeii has been referenced in pop culture for many years.

Pompeii appears in an episode of the Simpsons and Edward Buller-Lytton wrote a book entitled “The Last Days in Pompeii” which has been transformed into some movies. Pompeii is also featured in many art exhibitions, video games and TV shows.

. Apparently, the direction of the wind caused an entire city to be buried after the eruption of Mount Vesuvius.

Where is Pompeii?

Pompeii is 150 miles south of Rome and close to neighboring Naples. When touring Italy around the area of Naples, be sure to take a full day tour of Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius.

As Pompeii re-opens after the Coronavirus closure, visitors will see some new houses and gardens that have never been seen by the public before, to help encourage and reward visitors to the site. Gone are the crazy crowded tours replaced by a calmer, smaller group atmosphere. Definitely worth a trip on your next visit to Italy.

If you liked this article, please share on your social media or send to a friend who may be visiting Italy soon. Also, check out my blog, Just Me and my other Vocal stories.

Thanks for reading!