Roman Pompeii, once hidden under the thickness of volcanic ash, is now a real open-air museum. Every year, this place is visited by thousands of tourists who want to see with their own eyes the ancient monuments of ancient culture. The city of Pompeii, whose attractions will be described in detail in this article, will appeal to all lovers of cultural tourism.
Features of rest in Pompeii
As you know, Pompeii was buried under a layer of ash due to the eruption of the volcano Vesuvius, which happened in 79 AD. The city was in pristine condition until the XVIII century, until it was accidentally discovered by archaeologists. Excavations continued for two centuries. Scientists managed to unearth and preserve not only the ancient buildings, but also the victims of the disaster buried alive. Since 1961, Pompeii has been open for tourists, but sometimes restoration work is carried out here. For visitors, the historical complex is open daily from 08:00 to 19:30. Entrance ticket for an adult here will cost about 12 euros. In winter, the museum closes 2 hours earlier.
Pompeii (Italy), whose attractions will appeal to all history buffs, is located just south of Naples. You can get to them by train or tourist bus. Travel time will be about 40 minutes. They leave Naples or Salerno daily. You can also come to Pompeii from Rome, but a one-way trip will take almost 4 hours. Most tourists come here in the summer, but the climate in the south of Italy is hot, so in the afternoon the air warms up to 30-35 degrees. Come here in the morning and in the evening when it gets cooler, or take sunscreen and plenty of drinking water with you.
What to see when you arrive in Pompeii: attractions
The complex has many attractions that are almost impossible to see in one day. As a rule, tourists hire guides who conduct sightseeing tours only to the most significant monuments of the Pompeii complex. Sights, photos of which you will see in this article, you can explore on your own.
The complex is a unique historical monument, which has no analogues in the whole world. Ancient Roman pagan temples, an amphitheater and a forum were hidden under a layer of ash. Well-preserved residential buildings that were built in the IV-II century BC, as well as the famous Roman baths and thermal baths. Tourists are attracted by the well-preserved sights of Pompeii. Photos with the names of the most famous of them are presented in our article. And now in more detail we will tell about the most significant monuments of the city.
Pompeii Forum
It is believed that once the forum was the central part of the city of Pompeii. The sights of the complex are in close proximity to it. The main part of the forum is a vast area, which was surrounded by a portico and numerous columns. It was paved with travertine and could accommodate the entire population of Pompeii. Secondary buildings of the forum, intended for public purposes, were located near the square. Among them, it is worth highlighting the municipality, consisting of three buildings, and the basilica, built in the II century BC. Opposite it were the Comitia , which served as a place for elections and votes. Not far from the forum is located Macellum - an indoor food market, the territory of which is surrounded by columns.
In their reviews, tourists note that the forum is the most visited place in Pompeii. Most of all they liked the giant statues of the Roman gods located here, as well as the stucco molding preserved on the arches. But there are always a lot of people here that tourists considered a disadvantage. The food kiosk next to the forum offers food at inflated prices, which visitors also did not like.
Villa Mystery
Villa Mystery is located outside Pompeii outside the city gate on the seashore, where wealthy citizens of Rome lived. According to archaeologists, it was built in the II century BC, but later it was rebuilt and expanded several times. After the eruption of Vesuvius, the villa was well preserved not only outside but also inside. The historical value is the numerous frescoes that adorn the walls of the house. Tourists can also see them. Near the villa is a rotunda and the remains of a hanging garden. Inside the building is well preserved spacious atrium, lararium and Roman baths.
Every day hundreds and thousands of tourists visit Naples and Pompeii. Attractions are open for viewing every day, but the villa can sometimes be closed because the Roman road is being restored next to it. Tourists are advised to check the schedule in advance by phone. Entrance tickets can be bought at the box office at the villa or at the main entrance to Pomp ei. Near the villa there are several souvenir shops and a food stall.
Temple of Apollo
Many ancient churches dedicated to the ancient Roman gods have been preserved in Pompeii, but the sanctuary of Apollo is usually of most interest to tourists. It is considered the oldest religious building in the city, as it was erected in the VIII or VII century BC. The temple was badly damaged during the earthquake of 62 AD, preceding the eruption of Vesuvius, and was not completely restored before the death of the city. The sanctuary is a building built on a high foundation, to which a staircase leads. Next to it is the altar and fully preserved sundial. The temple is surrounded by 28 columns, of which only 2 are completely preserved. Inside the building, tourists can see frescoes telling about the events of the Trojan War. The temple also preserved bronze statues of Venus, Artemis and Apollo himself.
The Apollo Sanctuary is located west of the city forum and is part of the cultural complex of Pompeii. Tourists recommend visiting the sights, whose working hours do not differ from each other, with a Russian-speaking guide. Also at the entrance to the city you can buy an audio guide .
Lupanar Pompey
Lupanaria in ancient Rome was called brothel. Historians believe that there were at least 30 of them in Pompeii, however, only one of them, but the largest , was open for visiting . This lupanarium is a two-story stone building, well preserved after the eruption of the volcano. The entrance to it is inconspicuous, as in all the brothels of that time, and is carried out through a small door. Visitors can view ancient frescoes with obscene images, a stone bed, an antique toilet and graffiti left by visitors to the brothel. The second floor was intended for wealthy residents of the city, but now it is not accessible for visiting tourists.
Lupanarium is located on the homonymous street of Pompeii, whose attractions are described in this article. Reviews of tourists tell, you can visit it as part of the excursion group, and independently. Travelers do not recommend coming here with their children. The long lines at the entrance are the main drawback that they mention.
Pompeii, Attractions: Residential Guide
Of interest to tourists are numerous residential buildings located within the city. Entire streets and quarters have remained under a layer of ash, which is unique to the ancient Roman culture. As a rule, guides conduct excursions only to the most significant houses of Pompeii. We will tell you more about them.
The House of the Tragic Poet was built in the 2nd century AD. It is located opposite the forum and is famous for its mosaic floor and frescoes depicting scenes from ancient Greek mythology. Shopping malls were opened near the building. In the House of the Surgeon, tourists can look at the real surgical instruments of Ancient Rome. The rich House of Faunus is built at the intersection of four streets, it is considered the most luxurious in Pompeii. In the courtyard, there is a pool for collecting rainwater with a bronze statue of Faun. Inside the building there are many frescoes, and one of them depicts Alexander the Great. Do not miss the houses of Vettiev , Gilded Cupids, Moralist and Perfumer.
Stabian terms
Stabieva baths are ancient Roman public baths, which were built in the III century BC. Scientists believe that they have survived much better than similar buildings in Italy. The baths are located near the palestra (sports school), so its students and residents often visited them after class. The complex includes spacious rooms for oiling, bathing with cold and hot water. There is a locker room, men's and women's rooms, warm baths, which served as an analogue of the current sauna. A separate room stood out under the frigidarium - a large pool with cold water.
Visitors to the term can view the halls with preserved frescoes on the walls, as well as learn more about the unique heating system of Ancient Rome. The bath also shows plaster casts of several people who died during the eruption of Vesuvius.
Large palestra and amphitheater
The city palette was intended for sporting events and training. Residents of Pompey came here to do gymnastics. Palestra is a large outdoor area surrounded by a row of columns. In its center was an outdoor pool with cold water and toilets. A separate entrance connected it to the amphitheater. Part of the structure was destroyed during the eruption of the volcano, but modern archaeologists have been able to restore it. The palestra of the city of Pompeii, the sights, a photo of which can be seen in this article, is notable for the fact that an ancient Christian cryptogram is preserved on its column.
Next to the palette is the city amphitheater, which once could accommodate up to 20,000 spectators. It was built in the 1st century BC, which gives it the right to be considered the oldest known amphitheater. Visitors can see the places for spectators, the arena itself and the corridors. Through them, gladiators entered the scene, and after the battle, the bodies of the dead and wounded were carried out from here. It is believed that before the arena was covered with a huge fabric awning, which protected the audience from rain and sun.
Bakery Pompeii
At the excavations of Pompeii, 34 preserved bakeries were found that not only provided fresh bread to local residents, but also exported it to other cities. The most equipped of them was considered a bakery located on Stabiy street . Here, not only baked bread, but also ground flour on their own. For this, hand mills were used, which are well preserved to this day. Their millstones were made of volcanic rocks. Some bakeries also had stalls for selling bread.
Opinion of tourists
The city of Pompeii (sights) reviews of tourists earned mostly positive. They talk about the unique historical monuments preserved here. Among the advantages of the complex are mentioned original sights, buildings and statues, which are unlikely to be able to be seen anywhere else. However, tourists note that only reproductions are exhibited in the open air, while the originals are stored in the Naples Museum. Visitors appreciated the inexpensive entry and the availability of food stalls, restaurants and gift shops near Pompeii. You can hire a guide upon arrival at the complex or buy an audio guide in English.
Of the shortcomings, tourists distinguish hot weather in the summer months, because of which it is impossible to inspect the city for a long time. They also did not like the crowding of visitors near significant monuments. To visit them, you always have to stand in long lines. Plaster detailed figures of the dead citizens on many tourists are depressing.
Draw conclusions
Many historical monuments have been preserved in a city like Pompeii. Sights, photos and descriptions of which you saw in this article, will not leave indifferent all tourists. Arriving in Italy, be sure to find at least a day to view the most significant buildings of the city buried alive.