Ever since I was I little girl I wondered what it would be like exploring ancient Pompeii in Italy. In April, 2022 I finally filled this bucket list item. Pompeii was everything I thought it would be and more. I found it amazing to be walking through these ancient streets that existed so many years ago.
History
Pompeii, Italy is an ancient city that dates back to the 9th or 8th century BC founded most likely by the Oscan’s from Northern Italy. In 89 BC, Pompeii came under Roman Rule. At this time, the Latin language and Roman culture became the norm.
In 62 AD an earthquake damaged Pompeii and also the nearby city of Herculaneum causing significant damage. Before the town was able to recover, Mt Vesuvius erupted and created the infamous volcanic disaster which the city is known for. Reports state that around noon on August 24, 79 AD the volcano erupted spilling ash up to 9 feet deep over the city. The next morning, more debris from the eruption, along with toxic gases and also ash, continued to bury the city to an extent of 19-23 feet. This kept the city intact for many centuries. Excavations did not begin in Pompeii until 1748. For more history on Pompeii you can follow this link to Britannica.
The Tour
The group I was with enjoyed a guided tour through Pompeii which was arranged ahead of time. We showed up and were able to get right in! That worked well! The following photos are from this tour and arranged in the order we visited. I decided not to post photos from the Brothel as they are a bit explicit. I have tried to be as accurate as I can. We did not have a brochure on our tour so consequently I am relying on memory and my notes.
Gladiator’s Barracks
The Large Theatre
This theatre in Pompeii was built into the hillside during the 2nd century BC. It can seat 5000 people!
Along the Streets of Pompeii
The photo below is an area that you could order up food. Kind of like an ancient food court.
According to our tour, the streets through town become streams when it rains as the design is for drainage, going downhill. Throughout the street there are rocks which are stepping stones. Keeps your feet from getting wet when it rains. The below buildings along the street were businesses as evidenced by their wide doorways.
House of Menander
The House of Menander is a glorious home in Pompeii with sections of dating to 250 BC. Built in the traditional Roman style of that time, it most likely belonged to Nero’s second wife’s family. It is 19,000 square feet (1800 square meters). In this house 18 victims of the Mt Vesuvius eruption were found. According to wikipedia, these victims may have been looters and arrived after the occupants fled from the initial eruption and then perished during the final eruption.
Other Photos of Pompeii
The Pompeii Museum
At the end of our tour we finished with a visit through the museum. The casts of the people found here were very profound.
Where We Ate
After our tour was over, we stopped to eat at Shaval for pizza and wine. Both were delicious and so was the dessert and coffee!
Conclusion
I absolutely loved exploring Pompeii, Italy and hope to return to explore in more detail. I will also definitely seek out the same place for pizza!
Amazing. Glad you got to check this off your bucket list Lori. I know what a sense of awe we had on our tour of Ephesus in Turkey. Hard to believe how far civilization had advanced so long ago. Thanks for sharing. Happy Wednesday. Allan
It was really an amazing place! I can’t believe how large it is! Thanks for reading!!
It must have felt somewhat errie, knowing the devastation incurred in Pompeii so long ago, but the ancient architecture looks absolutely amazing!! Thanks for sharing another interesting adventure, dear Lori ~ have a great day 🙂
It was a bit eerie. Actually a lot of places on this trip were! I knew basically nothing about the part of Italy we went to next, Puglia but it was very interesting.
😎
I am glad to hear you’ve been able to fulfil your dream of visiting Pompeii. It is an incredibly important place in that it provides such a complete example of Roman life, architecture, community and history, and one that I would love to visit for myself. Thanks for sharing and have a good day 🙂 Aiva
Thanks for stopping by, Aiva. Pompeii is so large I am hoping to return someday to explore more of it!
Great information and photos!
Thank you!
I visited Pompeii all the way back in 2006, and it really is fascinating (and heartbreaking) to learn about the eruption that took so many lives, and especially buried the victims in eternal preservation– men, women, and children alike. Seeing the petrified corpses were a little disturbing, but learning about and appreciating the significance of the eruption in Italian history makes for a unique travel experience.
…and congratulations on 1000 follows!
Thank you!!
Pompeii is definitely unique in its story, place in history, and great restoration work.
Your photos gave me a really good look at the place. Thanks.
Thank you for checking it out!
Another remarkable post with stunning pictures! Thanks for sharing this!
Thank you, Rick. Even though I am definitely not a writer, I do enjoy blogging! I enjoy your ‘Running With Rick’ blog! Hope you are doing well!!
Brilliant photos, I’m glad you enjoyed your visit to Pompeii 🙂 it’s such an amazing site isn’t it!
Thanks! It is amazing!!
Fabulous! I have also dreamed of visiting Pompeii. Until I can, I am enjoying your trip with you! Thanks for a wonderful post.
I’m glad you enjoyed it! It was very cool!
Just recently we saw a picture of a round bread that was preserved in Pompeii, so Pompeii is on our minds, even though we have yet to make it there ourselves, so thank you for taking us on this tour with you!
I’m curious; in one of the first photos, you show an archway with modern metal support beams: are they doing some repairs or reconstruction there now? I thought the Roman cement would outlast us all? 🙂
They appear to be doing some support type work in various areas at the site. I had to crop out a photo or two of a crane here and there. I am assuming it is restoration work to maintain as much as they can.
Thanks for sharing – such an interesting place.
It was very interesting!
Just fascinating! I would LOVE to see Pompeii! Thanks for the tour.
It was an awesome bucket list check off!
I first visited Pompeii when I was nine years old, and it was unforgettable. So glad you were able to see it.
I bet it was really amazing for a 9 year old!!
Everyone knows about Pompeii, but I had no idea it was so beautiful and well preserved. Thanks so much for the tour!
Thank you for reading!