Guided tour of the archaeological ruins of Pompeii

About this activity

The Archaeological excavations of Pompeii constitute one of the cornerstones of the collective imagination associated with ancient Rome: the story of the rich and flourishing commercial city suddenly buried by the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD has fascinated all Roman history buffs for centuries.

Anyone who has dealt with Latin in school desks will not fail to recall the heartfelt account that Pliny the Younger handed down to us about that tragic event that has inspired novels and thematic films.

The presence of Pompeii and its dramatic fate in mass culture is still extremely relevant, so much so that the Archaeological excavations of Pompeii are to date one of the leading museum sites in Italy by number of visits. At 44 km² in size and in an exceptional state of preservation, they are undoubtedly the best possible place to fully understand daily life 2000 years ago.

History of the Archaeological Excavations of Pompeii

Pompeii saw its founding in the 8th century BC by the Osci people. The city grew and gained prestige over the centuries thanks in part to the various influences exerted by multiple populations: first the Greeks, later the Etruscans, finally the Samnites that gave it its character as a commercial city.

In the 3rd century B.C. it was the turn of the final conquest by the Romans, who gave further impetus and prestige to Pompeii as a strategic port.

As we have seen, Pompeii's history ended within a single day, which tradition dates to August 24, 79 CE, when a violent eruption of Vesuvius covered the entire city with a thick blanket of ash and lapilli, leaving behind a desolate landscape that would not be repopulated for a long time.

It would have to be until 1748 to see the first archaeological excavations in this area, which took place at the behest of King Charles III of Bourbon and also continued under the French rule of Joachim Murat, a Napoleonic marshal proclaimed king of Naples. It was during this period that Pompeii's fame spread throughout Europe, making it one of the must-visit destinations for the Grand Tour training young European intellectuals.

Excavations also continued following theUnification of Italy and beyond, knowing a setback only in the 1960s.

Following the 1980 Irpinia earthquake, which significantly damaged the archaeological site, it was decided to focus resources on restoring the already recovered buildings rather than continuing excavations.

To further ensure this protection, the Pompeii Archaeological Site became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997.

Why visit the archaeological ruins of Pompeii

Pompeii's Archaeological Excavations will allow you to fully immerse yourself in the daily life of the ancient inhabitants of this thriving port center.

The thick layer of ash and lapilli that covered the city following the eruption allowed exceptional preservation of the entire city, protecting it from the outside world for centuries. This is the reason why the entire urban structure of the ancient city can still be observed here today: public buildings, private dwellings of all social levels, places of worship, bath complexes, arenas.

There are many must-see attractions at this extraordinary archaeological site. As for the areas reserved for performances, you can see the impressive Amphitheater of Pompeii, an arena capable of holding about 20,000 spectators, and the Grand Theater which still hosts classical performances during special reviews.

You can also admire the Forum of Pompeii, the focus of daily life for the ancient inhabitants, and the Stabian Baths where the latter went to relax.

As for private homes, not to be missed is the House of the Faun, a majestic, richly decorated villa of about 3,000 m², and the Villa of the Mysteries with its enigmatic frescoes. Also noteworthy is the Menander House, which tradition says belonged to relatives of Poppaea (Nero's second wife), and the elegant House of the tragic poet.

Also extremely impressive are the Temple of Apollo (probably built by the Etruscans), the Temple of Isis and necropolises located near the city gates. The house of Paquius Proculus, featuring a large surface decorated with mosaics, is also worth visiting.

In the Archaeological Excavations of Pompeii, the path dedicated to the disabled has been prepared Pompeii for all, which allows all those with mobility difficulties to visit this important archaeological area.

Curiosities about the Archaeological Excavations of Pompeii

Among the most distinguished visitors to the Pompeii Archaeological Excavations were. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. It seems that the great composer, enraptured by the beauty of the Temple of Isis, drew inspiration from it to compose one of his most famous works, The Magic Flute.

Pompeii has also been chosen as a place of inspiration by musical geniuses closer to our own time. In fact, in 1971 Pink Floyd played in the Amphitheater of Pompeii for a concert without an audience, the footage of which would flow into the documentary Pink Floyd: Live at Pompeii.

La città di Pompei e la sua tragica sorte hanno inoltre grandemente influenzato la settima arte, soprattutto ai suoi esordi. Tra il 1900 e il 1959 si contano infatti ben 6 film dal titolo Gli ultimi giorni di Pompei, tutti ispirati all’omonimo romanzo pubblicato da Edward Bulwer-Lytton nel 1834. Le serie tv di culto non sono state da meno: Doctor Who ha dedicato un’intera puntata ai fatti di Pompei, e persino i Simpson si sono recati in visita agli Scavi nella diciassettesima stagione.