Explore The Lost City Of Pompeii – Discover It's History, Architecture, Things To Do, & More!
A true gem preserved by nature with numerous untouched treasures, is the City of Pompeii. Erased from existence in 79 CE, the city is now open to your imagination to explore. Here is a quick guide that will give you an insight into the history, architecture, and highlights of this legendary archaeological destination. Visiting the Pompeii ruins is a must when in Italy!
What is Pompeii?
Pompeii is an ancient Roman city that was doomed due to the volcanic eruptions of Mount Vesuvius in 79 CE, resulting in devastating the entire city within seconds. In the ancient world, the city was simply a market and trading town. Since the city was positioned on the south-eastern side of the mountain, it suffered a great deal of loss.
Gradually, the lost city was unearthed and rediscovered by survey engineer Rocque Joaquin de Alcubierre. Today, the ancient Roman city attracts millions of visitors for its long-lasting beauty and Roman architecture.
Visit PompeiiKnowledge Graph
Official name: Archaeological Areas of Pompeii, Herculaneum, and Torre Annunziata
Location: Pompeii, Metropolitan City of Naples, Campania, Italy
Founded: 7th to 6th century BC
Timings: Tuesday to Sunday – 9 AM to 7 PM | Closed on Mondays
Architect: Built by the Oscans
Architectural style: Ancient Roman Architecture
UNESCO World Heritage Site: 1997
Number of visitors per year: About2.5 million visitors visit Pompeii every year.
Where is Pompeii?
Address: Pompeii, Metropolitan City of Naples, Campania, Italy
The ancient Roman city of Pompeii was situated in the Campania region of Italy, southeast of Naples. The site was at the south-eastern base of Mount Vesuvius and was built on a historic lava flow that took place to the north of the mouth of the Sarnus River.
Know MorePompeii Opening Hours
General Timings: The historic site of Pompeii is open on Tuesdays to Sundays from 9 AM to 7 PM
Last Admission: Last entry to the site is at 5:30 PM
Closed: Pompeii is closed on Mondays.
Guided Tours: Guided tours are possible between 9 AM and 1 PM and will be conducted by guides who operate within the Campania region.
Know MoreWhy Visit Pompeii?
- Get a chance to explore and get an insight into the ancient ruins of Pompeii.
- Learn about all the fascinating facts about the site, a place with a lot of history and myths.
- Understand why the ancient Roman town was considered to be a myth until the 18th century.
- Discover a town preserved by volcanic ash, buildings, mysterious and ancient artworks, frescos, and a lot more for you to see among the ruins.
- Go on a historic adventure into the Roman town and witness the artifacts that resemble the ones that were found in the 21st century.
- Visit Pompeii’s amphitheater which is the oldest Roman amphitheater still existing.
Why is Pompeii So Famous?
- Pompeii is famous as it was once destroyed in 79 CE when a volcano, Mount Vesuvius, whose eruption engulfed and subsequently encased the city in at least 19 feet of ash and pumice-stone.
- Pompeii’s quick burial preserved the city for centuries before its ruins were found in the late 16th century.
- The city marked the state of the modern science of archaeology when the excavation of the city and surrounding regions took place in the 18th century.
- The archaeological sites at the city of Pompeii offer crucial information about many aspects of the social, religious, economic, and political life of the ancient world.
- The area surrounding Pompeii also became prosperous due to the rich agricultural land and the desirability of leading a life on the Bay of Naples for rich Romans.
History of Pompeii
Pompeii and its surroundings were a nice place that comprised distinguished citizens around the time. There were a lot of residential areas, factories, brothels, and bathhouses which showed a significant populace. But an earthquake forced a great section of people out of the city in 63 CE.
Pompeii continued to have a luxurious lifestyle, but in 79 CE, Mount Vesuvius erupted due to which the volcanic ashes had begun to roll down on Pompeii. A large population of the city went down with the city and few nearby towns being negligible to find.
In 1748, a large group of explorers found the ruins of Pompeii ever since the eruption and it was found that volcanic ash had preserved the town. Three centuries later, the city was excavated and is now a popular tourist destination for people to come and discover.
Who Built Pompeii?
Unlike the other towns in Campania which were discovered by the Greek colonists, Pompeii was built by the Oscans around the 8th to 9th century B.C. The town was developed from the lava that had erupted centuries earlier.
Architecture of Pompeii
Pompeii is a wonderful example that displays ancient Roman architecture where it portrays what life was like in ancient Rome and how their buildings and communities were seen from a structural lookout. The house around Pompeii was wrapped with numerous pieces of art that took the shape of frescoes on the walls and they are still visible. Historians could make a great deal of study into ancient Rome and Roman architecture through this work of art.
There are four different styles of frescos – from the early ones to the latest. The first one was called Incrustation Style which meant painting artificial slabs of precious-colored marbles on the walls. The second one was the Architectural Style which was a popular one as it created optical illusions and depended on perspectives. Large-sized trees were painted on the walls to give it an exterior vibe on the whole.
Ornate Style being the third one used basic colors and a lot of surface ornamentation and the art was developed from the artist’s imagination. The last one is the Intricate Style which is a combination of all three styles in one. There was the use of faux marble blocks, illusion, and different landscapes.
Highlights
Pompeii has been a site with a lot of exciting spots to discover and since it was first discovered, curiosity has just increased. On your visit, here are a few of the places that should not go unnoticed.
House of Vettii
Located in the western sector of the Pompeii ruins, the villa represents the great Roman architecture of its period. Ever since the destruction, the place was renovated and the most notable feature of the place is the planning that was considered to facilitate the entertainment and luxury of the wealthy merchants of that time.
Villa dei Misteri
Situated at the heart of the Pompeii ruins, the villa is sheer beauty with its very own garden, terrace, and beautiful artworks within the quarters.
Temple of Apollo
Known for being the oldest structure among the Pompeii ruins, the temple had Etruscan architecture and was eventually modified by the Greeks and the Romans.
The House of the Tragic Poet
With beautiful décor and delicate frescoes, this relatively small house belonged to a notable poet during the era. You can still witness a signboard in Latin that warns people about a dog.
Lupanare
Lupanar is the largest brothel within the Pompeii ruins with stoned platform rooms with mattresses. The noticeable graffiti on the walls was curated by the prostitutes and their clients.
House of the Faun
A villa that occupies a large part of the Pompeii ruins, it is significant for its large display of artworks.
Forum of Pompeii
The rectangular open space is a forum for all the cultural and political activities that were conducted in Pompeii. It was also known for being the home of the market space and bath houses.
Stabian Baths
The Stabian baths had three thermal baths where the chambers had high temperatures with hot water running through the walls of the room, and with separate sections for men and women.
Pompeii Spectacula
Known for being one of the first amphitheaters during the era, it was the first one for the Romans and was built on the stone that occupied a capacity equivalent to the population of Pompeii. The place was a common roof for all sporting events that took place in the city.
The Temple of Isis
The temple was one of the first to be discovered during the excavation, a Roman temple that was dedicated to the Egyptian Goddess Isis.
Entrances
Pompeii has 3 entrances to access:
Marina Gate / Porta Marina: The Marina Gate serves as the main entrance to the site where you can access the kiosks, or hire audio guides as per your requirement.
Piazza Anfiteatro: This is possibly the best sightseeing entrance as you can directly head to the forum, the amphitheater, and witness the prominent spots of the Pompeii ruins.
Piazza Esedra: Situated close to the main entrance, this entrance is not very crowded and is suitable for a hassle-free tour of the place.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Pompeii
A. The Immortal City of Pompeii is a gem-filled with untouched treasures in Italy, that was buried by an eruption of Vesuvius.
A. Pompeii is a preserved ancient Roman city in Campania, Italy, situated 23 km southeast of Naples.
A. Pompeii is famous as it was destroyed in 79 CE due to a volcano at Mount Vesuvius that erupted and covered at least 6 meters of ash and debris over the entire city.
A. A visit to Pompeii will give you an insight into Ancient Roman life, their luxurious villas, workshops, fresco paintings on the city walls, and more.
A. You can book your Pompeii tickets online.
A. Your Pompeii tickets start from €19.
A. The Oscans built the city of Pompeii.
A. 1st April to 31st October – 9 AM to 7:30 PM, last entry at 6 PM and 1st November to 30th March – 9 AM to 5:30 PM, last entry at 3:30 PM.
A. Pompeii and the surrounding sites are important as they give great insight into a lot of social, economic, religious, and political aspects of the ancient world.
A. Even if you are into history or not, Ancient Pompeii is worth a visit for its incredible Roman life and the architecture it beholds.
