The foundation is attributed to Pompeii Osci around the eighth century B.C.. This ancient Italic people are settled at the southern foot of Mount Vesuvius, following the course of the river Sarno at that time navigable. Pompeii soon became a very important commercial center, so as to attract the expansionist aims of the Greeks and the Etruscans then, but the defeat of the latter in Cumae, He decreed the passage of the city under the hegemony of Sannitis in the fifth century B.C..
Pompei joined the League as well Nucerina: in this period were fortified and enlarged the boundary walls in tuff, allowing the city a further urban development. Pompeii is able to establish itself as a major exporter of oil and wine, taking advantage of free markets in the Mediterranean under the Romans.
After the end of the wars in 80 BC sannitiche, He entered the orbit of Rome and in 89 B.C.. Publio Cornelio Silla He settled there with a group of veterans, renaming Pompey colon sexually sillana.
The Roman period experienced architectural and economic splendor, much to turn in Pompeii preferred holiday destination of the Roman patriciate e, in imperial times, filoaugustee many families moved here: witness buildings such as the Temple of Fortuna Augusta and the Eumachia.
Under the Emperor Nero the city suffered extensive damage because of a tremendous earthquake in 62 d.C. and they were commissioned immediately reconstruction works, which they were interrupted on 24 August the 79 d.C. from the disastrous eruption of Vesuvius.
Levava in a cloud if high, and it was of such a form and appearance that they can not be compared to no tree better than a pine. Indeed, drawing himself up as high on a log, He is then widened into a kind of branching; and that's because, I suppose I, lifted by the wind right in the time in which it is formed, then, to wind yield, to fend for themselves or won by its own weight, It is widely spread for dissolving air gradually, hour run, Now sordid and stained, second that brought with it the earth or ashes.
(Pliny the Younger)
The excavations began in 1748 under Charles of Bourbon, with the goal of fame and prestige of the house: Initially the excavations were not conducted in a systematic way. During the’ French occupation, At the beginning of 1800, There was an increase in digging and then almost stop with the return of the Bourbons. Meanwhile aroused great echo discovery House of the Faun, with mosaic depicting the battle of Alexander. This gave life to the archaeological activities: They were designed works of systematic and detailed excavation and introduced the method of plaster casts. From 1924 – 1961 They went to work Amedeo Maiuri with significant discoveries.
In recent years, new excavations of archaeological sites have been suspended, while the works are focusing on the restoration and maintenance of the buildings already unearthed.
Itinerary
The places to visit, entering from Porta Marina Below Piazza Esedra (the second input from the Circumvesuviana station "Pompei Villa Dei Misteri", online Sorrento – Naples).
- quadriportico Gladiators (VIII – 11)
- Grand theater (VIII – 10)
- Teatro Piccolo / Odeion (VIII – 12)
- The House of Menander ( I – 7)
- House Casca Longus (I – 2)
- Stephen fullonica (I – 3)
- House of Achilles Lararium (I – 4)
- The Garden of the Fugitives (I – 16)
- Necropolis of Porta Nocera (II – 10)
- Large amphitheater (II – 5)
- Praedia Julia Felix (II – 3)
- House of Venus in the Shell (II – 2)
- Casa di Octavius Quartio (II – 1)
- House of Epidii (IX – 5)
- Terme Stabiane (VII – 16)
- Lupanare (VII – 18)
- House of the Faun (WE – 1)
- House of the Vetti (WE – 11)
- House of the Golden Cupids (WE - 12)
- House dell'Ara maximum (WE - 13)
- Torre XI to Porta Ercolano (WE – 16)
- Villa dei Misteri (WE – 19)
- The baths of the Forum (VII – 10)
- The hole (VII - 6)
- Temple of Jupiter (VII – 8)
- I Granai del Foro (VII – 7)
Output Port Superior Marina
Visit the excavations with children
Move with the stroller inside the excavations is very difficult, The basalt of the ancient Roman roads does not allow the use of vehicles equipped with wheels. For people in wheelchairs, indeed, there is a special path indicated on the map distributed at the entrance of the excavations: It may be a good idea if you have a stroller with you. The baby carrier is still the best option. Inside the archaeological site there are several Baby Point, real "cassette" that ask for the key at the entrance and duly identified on the map, where you can easily change the diaper and breastfeed your baby in total privacy.
Where to eat
If you plan to spend your whole day in Pompei, the best option is a picnic in the excavations. On the map you will take the entrance are reported the various picnic areas in the archaeological site. The large bags are not allowed inside the excavations, so try to hold it all in a small bag or backpack. We advise you to carry everything from Naples or Sorrento, since the kiosks around the ruins of Pompeii is very tourist and high prices.
In Sorrento you can prepare an excellent caprese sandwich to delicatessen Aprea (an office is in Via Tasso, in the historic center, the dairy is at the beginning of Via del Mare). Often also it proposes the "casatiello", a soft salted brioche with sausage stuffing, typical of the Easter period. In Naples you can instead opt for a sandwich on the fly in the various bars / takeaways at the Central Station where you will find the refreshment Excellencies of the Coast to taste the sweet typical of the Amalfi Coast.
For a real lunch:
- Hortus (tel: 081 536 4566): It is on the road between the station and the Porta Marina entrance, It is a popular spot with tourists and offers various options for a light lunch takeaway and local cuisine in a cool and pleasant citrus garden.
- Cupon (tel: 081 1855 7911): if you want to continue the historical experience, Reach this restaurant 5 minute walk from Villa dei Misteri just in front of Piazza Esedra. Prepare the ancient Roman recipe of Apicius Marcus Gavius served in earthenware dishes, waiters in Roman robes, early music and frescoes on the walls that are typical of Pompeian houses.
I 10 Pompeii attractions not to be missed
1) Great Theater and Odeion (VIII 10)
In one complex are the two theaters of the city of Pompeii: the Grand Theater where they were staged by the Greek works, fabula atellana and mime and then there is the Odeion, within which were held mainly declamations of poetic verses and musical performances, performances requiring a more intimate space and covered to prevent sound leakage. A little curiosity: try moving the center of the semicircle and talking dell'Odeion… You hear your voice amplified as if you have a microphone!
2) The Garden of the Fugitives (I- 16)
L’ Garden of the Fugitives was then used an old neighborhood of vineyards in the last phase of life of the city of Pompeii. The name comes from the discovery of the bodies of 13 the victims of the 79 d.C. discovered in the vanishing positions towards Porta Nocera before they were crystallized by ash and lapilli. The casts were found during excavations (1961-62 e 1973-74) with the technique of plaster casting.
3) Large amphitheater (II – 5)
Built in 70 a.C. circa, the Amphitheater of Pompeii is one of the oldest and best preserved in the world. The structure was destined to sporting events and the gladiator fights and welcomed over 20.000 audience. Cave (the stands) It is divided into three sectors: the first auditorium (ie the first row) It was reserved for the most influential citizens, the average for the "bourgeois" and summa, above, for the rest of the people.
4) Praedia Julia Felix (II – 1)
The Praedia of Julia Felix is a great dating from the first century complex. a.C. and it is one of the first domus brought to light during the excavations: it is a patrician villa with large green areas on which there are a number of residential environments, a thermal plant and a large park. The name of Julia Felix was found on an inscription painted on the façade after the earthquake 62 d.C. (now in the National Archaeological Museum of Naples) where the owner announces the leasing of part of his property. Of particular value in addition to that private party decorations, Also the spa district, also richly decorated.
5) The brothel (VII – 18)
The brothel is one of the most scenic locations for those visiting Pompeii: it is the ancient brothel in the city, divided on two floors with 5 cells on the ground floor 5 upstairs. Within each cell is a bed in masonry on which mats or mattresses were then placed. On the times we are in each alcove access several paintings erotic subject that will probably show the type of service offered by the prostitute who was staying in the cell. Despite being in between two secondary roads, a time and even today it's easy to find the brothel following the fouls engraved on the paving or on the facades of some houses.
6) House of the Faun (WE - 1)
The House of the Faun is one of the most luxurious houses and large areas of Pompeii: It extends over approximately 3000 m with an area destined to the owners and another the servants'. Its name comes from a bronze statue, depicting a satyr, located nell'impluvium (a tank designed to collect rainwater). The domus is embellished with statues, frescoes and spectacular mosaics, including the famous mosaic of Alexander the Great a victory against Darius and the Persians (possibly the Battle of Issus), currently in the Archaeological Museum of Naples.
7) Villa dei Misteri (WE - 19)
Discovery between 1909-1910, Villa dei Misteri is one of the most fascinating and mysterious archaeological site domus, probably it belonged to the family of Istacidii, among the most influential of the Pompeii of the Augustan Age. Structure, dating back to the first century. C., It was built in the residential area on the west side outside the city walls and overlooked the sea and has undergone several transformations until the eruption of 79 d.C. Its name comes from the Sala dei Misteri, the triclinio adorned with an extraordinary and enigmatic pictorial cycle long 17 meters high and 3 meters: the scene seems to be a Dionysian ritual and initiation into its mysteries, with the divine couple of Dionysus and Aphrodite (o Arianna) placed in the center of the bottom wall.
8) The hole (VII - 6)
The Forum of Pompeii is the place that most of all gives an incredible visual impact: Here you can admire the large square with the fees arches, the buildings of the public administration, the basilica, ii supermarket, the canteen ponderaria, the temples of Apollo and Jupiter, whose statue stands head age of Sulla (80 a.C. circa), the temples of Vespasian and Public Lares and the Eumachia. In the forum it took place the main civil functions, religious and commercial, and as well as in other cities of the Empire even at Pompeii it was reserved only for pedestrians and thus access to wagons were forbidden.
9) Basilica (VIII – 2)
Do not be misled by the name: the basilica was the public building (II sec. a.C.) largest city, used both as the court, where the judge presiding in an elevated position with respect to the parties, that as the site for commercial trading. A sort of hole covered with a long colonnade which effectively replaced the outdoors when the weather imposed the use of indoor locations.
10) Sanctuary of Venus (VIII – 1)
This important place of worship dedicated to Venus, protector of the city and navigation, It had been set up in the second half of the second century. B.C. on the plateau, where Pompeii, addressed to the Sarno valley and the sea. However, only in the first half of the century. d.C. It reaches its peak with extension work, restructuring and marble decoration. At this temple it was intended for the gold light that probably the Emperor Nero's wife Poppea, and had donated to the cult of the goddess, now kept at the National Archaeological Museum of Naples.
