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Quick Information

ADDRESS

Vicolo del Panettiere, 80045 Pompei NA, Italy

RECOMMENDED DURATION

5+ hours

Timings

09:00–19:00

VISITORS PER YEAR

2500000

TICKETS

From $21.92

NUMBER OF ENTRANCES

3

EXPECTED WAIT TIME - STANDARD

1-2 hours (Peak), 0-30 mins (Off Peak)

EXPECTED WAIT TIME - SKIP THE LINE

0-30 mins (Peak), 0-30 mins (Off Peak)

UNESCO YEAR

1997

Plan your visit

Did you know?

After the destruction of Pompeii in 79 AD, the city was lost for 1500 years and was found accidentally in 1748, when excavations began. The archeological site is being excavated to this day and newer things are unearthed every day.

Excavations have discovered that Pompeii, being a port city and a safe haven for sailors had brothels and entertainment. Lupanare is the ruins of a brothel with explicit frescoes depicting the services offered.

Pompeii had an interesting fast-food culture. About 80 thermopolia, the McDonalds of the day, which served hot food and drinks, have been unearthed so far.

Why 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?

About Pompeii
  • 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?

About 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.

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.

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