In the times before 79 AD, Pompeii was a lively Italian city crisscrossed with narrow cobbled streets and alive with the sound of market sellers and daily life. But after tragedy struck in 79 AD, when nearby Mount Vesuvius erupted over the city and buried it in a thick layer of volcanic ash, things changed forever.
Afterward, Pompeii became a ghost town that preserved ancient Roman life as it was many, many years ago. Centuries later, archaeologists came across the site that revealed what daily life was like for Italians in the early years.
Now, Pompeii is resigned as a site for visitors to explore the ancient history of the area and learn more about the tragic volcanic eruption that affected the entirety of the Bay of Naples. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, people can step back in time and walk the same streets that ancient Romans did thousands of years ago, stopping off at landmarks like the famous brothel, an opulent villa, and old market place. At the heart of Pompeii, there is an expansive plaza that showcases remnants of old temples and villas.
Experiencing Pompeii and exploring its narratives is relatively easy, and there are numerous different ways to do so. Once you’ve entered the site, you can choose to explore by foot which is the easiest way to see everything on offer. As you go, you can nip in and out of buildings, read all about the fascinating history, and get lost down twisting lanes that lead to hidden secrets.
The world-famous history of Pompeii has made it one of the most iconic attractions in the whole country, and this means that it can get busy, especially during peak tourist season. In this case, it’s often easier and quicker to get a tour from Rome or one of the surrounding cities that takes you right to the door of Pompeii and provides a knowledgeable guide to share snippets and insights as you go.
Exploring this way means you get taken to all of the important sites and don’t have to waste time queuing.
Discovering the remains and history of Pompeii is a fascinating experience that shouldn’t be missed. As well as learning all about ancient Roman life, you can witness some of the best-preserved remains of temples and other landmarks. While you wander the ramshackle streets, you’ll see the looming shadow of Mount Vesuvius in the distance in an almost ironic show of nature.
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