Walking along the cobblestone streets of the archaeological site of Pompeii, we can imagine the stories that each stone could tell. There would certainly be many happy stories but also some extremely sad ones… But all of them would seem insignificant in front of the great tragedy that struck this impressive place in its full glory. Assaulted by thousands of tourists every day, the archaeological site of Pompeii could deceive anyone’s eye and would seem to be just a magnificent complex of ruins. But a trip to Pompeii should still give us a much deeper understanding of the importance of this legendary place. Beyond archaeology and geography, this is the ultimate proof of the power that a natural disaster can have on people’s lives. It is truly sad that such a major tragedy has given us the best chance to see history firsthand, to discover the reality of life two millennia ago.
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My trip to the archaeological site of Pompeii began amidst crowds of other tourists from all over the world. They pour through the ancient streets and invade each of the most famous attractions from the early hours of the morning. It is quite difficult to connect with this place with so many people around, so the smartest thing would be to get away from the crowds and seek out more secluded alleys and lesser-known gardens. Even on the busiest days of the tourist season, there are still some secret corners and less-trodden attractions where you can still connect with the soul of the Pompeii site.
My trip to Pompeii lasted 3-4 hours, exploring this huge ancient city without any itinerary or map. I already knew the relative location of the main attractions and I already knew that it was impossible to explore it in its entirety. You can literally walk for a whole day, and some parts of the archaeological site are still undiscovered or closed to the public. With phones and cameras in hand, always attentive to the scenes unfolding before us, it is easy to forget how this fascinating destination came to be in our time. The best thing a traveler to the archaeological site of Pompeii can do is close their eyes as often as possible and let their imagination run wild… Then things will start to come alive and you can almost feel the life that the city breathed before the tragedies struck.
Roman citizens going about their lives, merchants and slaves, aristocrats and artisans, soldiers and children whose destinies were dramatically ended in the fateful year of 79 AD. Close your eyes again and you can see the flaming cauldrons of hell tumbling from the summit of Mount Vesuvius in a sea of smoke and ash. Imagine the terror the people of Pompeii must have felt as lava began to cover their city and homes, some not having time to realize that these were their last moments. It was truly one of the greatest tragedies of antiquity.
But it is so hard to imagine today with thousands of people invading what was not so long ago a vast cemetery. Perhaps only the nights bring true peace to Pompeii, with the shadow of Vesuvius still looming ominously in the moonlight. Visiting the archaeological site of Pompeii is a fascinating cultural experience, revealing one of the most realistic and evocative images of ancient life in the Roman Empire. The network of cobblestone streets, temples, theaters, workshops and houses offers the best history lesson in the world, one where you can see and feel everything. It is like a never-ending story of a city caught in a time loop, reliving the hours of the same tragedy again and again.
The archaeological site of Pompeii is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is located a short distance from Naples, at the foot of Mount Vesuvius. From Naples, it is quite easy to reach Pompeii using the local Circumvesuviana trains. These stop at the Pompeii Scavi station on the line to Sorrento. Tickets are very cheap, but there are also tourist cards that offer free transport in the Campania region. Entrance to the Pompeii archaeological site costs around 20 euros (or free with the Unico Campania card), while the opening hours are between 9 am and 7 pm (5 pm in low season). The last entrance is usually an hour and a half before closing time. You should plan at least 3 hours to explore the destination and understand its importance. Among the most famous and interesting attractions in Pompeii, be sure to include the Forum, Amphitheatre, Great Theatre, Odeon, Palaestra, Forum Boarium, Villa Imperiale, Temple of Isis, Temple of Jupiter, Central Baths, Sanctuary of Venus, Basilica, House of the Faun, House of the Tragic Poet, House of the Vettii, Macellum, House of the Great Fountain, Villa of the Mysteries, House of the Sailor and many more.
Accommodation Recommendation in Pompei
Rating 9.1 from 263 reviews!
Located in the city of Pompeii, 2 km from the archaeological park, the guesthouse offers accommodation in modernly decorated rooms, with breakfast included and all the necessary facilities, with excellent reviews.
Rating 8.5 from 321 reviews!
The Cornelia Guesthouse is one of the best rated in Pompeii, being located less than 1 km from the archaeological site. It offers accommodation in superb rooms and other facilities.