Visiting Pompeii: The Famous Archeological Site in Italy

Summarized by Dina Mardiana

Pompeii is Europe�s most fascinating archeological site and one of Italy�s most visited tourist attractions. Each year about 2.5 million people wander the ghostly shell of what was once a commercial center. The eruption of Vesuvius wasn�t the first disaster to strike the Roman port of Pompeii, as the first massive earthquake hit the city in AD 63, causing a widespread damage.

The city of Pompeii was founded in the 7th century BC. Before it became a Roman colony in 80 BC, it was once handled by the ancient Greeks. After the great catastrophe, Pompeii was unknown from the public eye until 1594, when an Italian architect Domenico Fontana stumbled across the ruins while digging a canal.

A proper exploration began in 1784 under the king of Bourbon, Charles VII, and continued into the 19th century. Works continue today and new discoveries are being made. Most mosaics are moved up to Naples in the Archeological Museum (Museo Archeologico Nazionale).

If you are visiting the Pompeii archeological site in summer, please note to bring a hat, sunscreen and plenty of water as there is not much shade onsite. You can reach it by taking the Circumvesuviana train which will drop you at the Pompeii-Scavi-Villa dei Misteri station, beside the main Porta Marina entrance. There is really no need to stay overnight in Pompeii, so you can visit the ruins on a day trip from Naples, Sorrento or Salerno.

The Museo Vesuviano is located at the southeast of the excavations and it contains a wide array of artefacts. Much of the value lies in the fat that it wasn�t simply blown away by Vesuvius.

About 1 km down the road in modern Pompeii, the Santuario della Madonna del Rosario is a famous pilgrim destination. It is said that in 1876 a young girl was cured from epilepsy after praying in front of a painting, named Virgin of the Rosary with Child, above the main altar. The sanctuary was then consecrated in 1891.

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Visiting Pompeii: The Famous Archeological Site in Italy

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