Pompeii, Italy

Pompeii is located at southern Italian region, closer to the coast are of the Bay of Naples. In the ancient past, this Roman city was destroyed and turned into ash due the catastrophic of Vesuvius volcano in 79 A. D. But later, researchers have found and excavated the ruins of the city. Thereafter this city was open for visitor and it has been declared as a UNESCO world heritage. Today, this city continuously attracts thousands of tourists in each year.

According to the details, the city was built in 6th century BC. It was constructed by Oscana or Osci. Researchers believe that Pompeii became Roman colony during the ancient past. Pompeii is located closer to Mountain Vesuvius, which has history running back to hundred thousand years. Vesuvius was erupted a lot of time during the ancient past. But, the huge disaster took place in 79 A. D by destroying the whole Pompeii city by covering dust and ash after erupting the Mountain Vesuvius. Then Pompeii was buried under the thick layer of Volcanic ash. According to the history, two thousand people died due to this catastrophe and the whole city buried under ash for many years.

Later in 1748, this city was rediscovered by the group of explores and found left behinds of the city. They were able to discover the detail about the ancient city through the ruins.

Ancient Greeks have settled their life in this area, around the Vesuvius and the Naples' bay in the 8th century B. C. During that period this place attracted people for vacation due to the beautiful sceneries along the area. During the first century A. D., Pompeii was enriched with the resorts, elegant houses, brothel house, villas, elegant streets, market places, cafes, bath houses, small factories, arena and lounged.

The excavation of the old city was a huge help to discover the life style, art, architectural style, paintings etc of that era.

My Experience

The city was discovered from the ash. We could see the old streets, building, some frescoes in the walls and many other things.

We went to the site early in the morning since my relatives advised me that there would be a long queue for buying the tickets and also for entering the Pompeii city. During the summer, climate was so good since it was not that hot and it was bit cold with the shining sun in the morning.

We could not book the tickets online in advance. Because of that we spent around one hour in queue to buy the tickets. Ticket price was around 15 euro to enter the Pompeii city. I must say that there are lot of tour organizers who are organizing small tours in Pompeii city for 40 euro. Along with that, travellers should not wait in the queue, if they are going inside with this kind of small tour groups.

My opinion is, if you know the details or if you have a tour guide book, then no need to have a tour guide or join to this kind of group since you can find all by yourself since it has been well organized.

Even the tour guides say that they can skip the line, sometimes they wait until they gather enough people for a tour. In that case travellers might have to wait until then.

Discovering the city of Pompeii was a bit long journey for me since we spent more than three hours in the archaeological site of Pompeii. But I must say that it was one of the wonderful journeys of my life. I went to visit Pompeii in summer season. Due to the high hot season we were equipped with water bottles and some other types of foods. It was very useful during the journey since it helped to vanish our tired. So, I recommend you bring something to drink and eat during your visit.

If you go Naples, then do not miss this place.