When Vesuvius erupted on 24 August 79
AD it engulfed the two flourishing Roman towns of
Pompeii and Herculaneum, as well as the many rich villas
in the area. Since the mid 18th century these have been
progressively uncovered and made accessible to the
public.
The vast expanse of the commercial
town of Pompeii contrasts with the restricted but better
preserved remains of the holiday resort of Herculaneum,
whilst the superb wall paintings of the Villa Oplontis
at Torre Annunziata give a vivid impression of the
opulent life-style of the wealthier citizens of the
early Roman Empire.
It was an old city
near the Vesuvius descents. In 79 A.C. it was totally
covered by lava; later discovered again by Grecian, and
dedicated to Ercole in 1709. The excavations were
inordinate and still today uncompleted, but we could
admire a theater and some thermal baths.
