Posted by When you think about ancient cities some just stand out as more famous than the rest. Among these are the pretty small city of Pompeii which was just a smaller provincial city which probably would have disappeared into obscurity if it hadn’t been for the destruction which took place in 79 when Vesuvius erupted covering the small provincial Roman town in ashes temporarily erasing in from history – at least for 1½ millennium.
The area around Pompeii got populated back in 800 BC when a small Italian tribe established five towns in the area. When the Greeks arrived in the Campania area in 740 BC Pompeii were turned into a Hellenistic city with Doric temples and other Greek style buildings. A couple of hundred years later the Etruscans took over the area to be replaced by the Saminite in 450 BC finally the city became Roman in 290 when the Romans defeated the Saminite in war. And as the Roman Empire was thriving so was the provincial town of Pompeii.
Food store
The rise of the Roman Empire meant money for cities and citizen taking place in the conquest – and Pompeii got rich during the Roman conquest in the East. So the wealthy citizen of the city had the funds to build big villas and monuments in the city.
Unfortunately the city was located in a geologically pretty active area – in 62 AD a big earthquake made a lot of destruction in the city and a lot of repairs had to take place. The repairs were not fully done when the final disaster struck when Vesuvius erupted in 79. The city was covered by ashes but the buildings were not destroyed – in fact they were unintentionally protected so people today can come and enjoy the city. It is an easy place to go and visit since you can just arrive by car to the small town of modern day Pompeii and park next to the entrance or take the local train from Naples to the old Pompeii station and walk to the entrance. With fast train to and from Rome it is even a possible daytrip from Rome if you start early and get back late in the day.
The main attraction of the old town is the many frescoes which have been preserved thanks to the fact the city has been protected by the ashes for so long. In most other ancient building the decorations is in a much worth condition than here in Pompeii where you can enjoy some frescos which look almost new.
When you plan a visit you need to take into account it is pretty large and to go inside it and enjoy all the many frescoes of the ancient houses and go up and down all the ancient cobbled street will take a few hours. The city can be combined with a visit to Herculaneum another old town covered by the eruption – but closer to Naples. If you want to visit both you will have to go fairly early in the day especially during the winter months when the two places close early due to the early sunset.
FrejaTravels 
I first visited Pompeii in 1976, there was a lot more to see then and visitors were allowed to wander around parts which are now closed to the public.
I don’t think they are toilets by the way, they look like street food containers to me.
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I guess the crowds has gone up so much they have to make limitations to where you can go. I remember being in Palmyra Syria and Leptis Magna in Libya ten years ago. Back then you could also just walk in from the street in Palmyra and do whatever you wanted. And in Leptis Magna there was very few limitations to where you could go – so kind of the same. Just show what a difference it does when tourist numbers reach a certain level.
BTW I am sure you are right about those Things not being toilets – I changed it.
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Impressive. I wouldn’t mind spending an entire day here.
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It is a very nice place to go around for several hours for sure. Not sure I would go for a full day – you will need a packed lunch since not much food inside.
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Most certainly.
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I’ve always found Pompeii interesting. This is a must see location for me.
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I agree it is one of the most special ancient towns because the frescos so well preserved.
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Looks good! So much on my bucket list having studied Ancient cultures on university.
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It is really a place you should go and see one day. Good combination with Rome and Naples and a daytrip from Naples down south to here and Herculaneum.
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That sounds like a trip. I can always revisit Rome.
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If you got a week you can share it 4 days each – there is a lot to see around Naples like Pompeii, Herculaneum, Caserta castle and then of course Naples itself.
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I admire the architecture in Pompeii. It’amazing that the city survived throughout the history and it was extraordinary that in 79, rather than destruction, the ashes protected the city. Thank you for sharing the beautiful photos!
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I am glad you liked them 🙂 it is truely amazing that this old disaster mean we can enjoy these splendid ruins today. Without the eruption it is pretty unlike Pompeii would have been a particularly noteworthy place today.
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Yes, I agree with you, sometimes only the bad news make it to the front page, but it turned out to be good. 🙂
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I think there should be a limit on how long we consider it bad news. I know people died around Pompeii – but it is so long ago I guess we don’t really need to morn the victims anymore and can just enjoy the fact parts of the city is so well preserved.
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That’s true and let people enjoy the good side of history.
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Interesting place to visit!!
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Sure is a very nice ancient city to go and visit.
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😊
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What incredible history.
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it is indeed nice we can still enjoy this amazing place.
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