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Vesuvius

Stratovolcano on the shores of the Gulf of Naples, Italy

9.5km

40.81666714.433333

Naples

city in Campania, Italy

11km

40.83333314.25

Pompeii

ancient Roman town-city near modern Naples, Italy

17km

40.7514.5

Capri

island near Naples

25km

40.5514.2333

Amalfi Coast

coastal area in the Campania region, Italy

31km

40.633314.6
Sights (12)

Villa of the Papyri

The coastline was significantly altered by the eruption but this large and luxurious villa originally stretched down to the sea in four terraces. Its sea front was about 250m long. It is below you on your right as you leave the ticket office and head towards the audio guide kiosk. The villa contained a fine library of scrolls and, although these were badly carbonized, there is hope that modern technology will soon make it possible to read them without destroying them by opening them.

438m

40.807814.3445

National Railway Museum of Pietrarsa

A museum housed in the ancient 19th century's Bourbon Factories, along the route of the first railway in Italy: the Napoli-Portici line. Here is possible to admire a large variety of rolling stock like steam locomotives and different periods' carriages.

3.4km

40.821714.3205

Villa of the Mysteries

A house with curious frescoes, perhaps of women being initiated into the Cult of Dionysus. Contains one of the finest fresco cycles in Italy, as well as humorous ancient graffiti.

15km

40.7536944414.47744444

Suburban Baths (Pompeii)

There are several baths to be inspected. The Forum Baths are just north of the forum and close to the restaurant. They are well-preserved and roofed. Be careful not to miss them as the entranceway is a long passage with no indication of the delights inside. The Central Baths occupy a much larger area but are less well-preserved. Close to these are the Stabian baths which have some interesting decorations and give a good idea of how baths used to function in Roman times.

15km

40.7486111114.48277778

House of the Tragic Poet

building in Pompei, Italy

15km

40.750714.4838

House of the Vettii

This is believed to have been the home of two brothers who were freed slaves and became very affluent. It contains many frescoes. In the vestibule there is a striking fresco of a well-endowed Priapus, God of Fertility and among the frescos in other parts of the building are illustrations of couples making love, of cupids and of mythological characters.

15km

40.7520833314.48458333

House of the Faun

This is named after a statue of a dancing faun found on the site. It is considered to be an excellent example of the fusion of Italian and Greek architectural styles, and occupies an entire block.

15km

40.7512514.48458333

Temple of Apollo (Pompeii)

This is to the north of the Basilica on the western side of the Forum. It has the oldest remains discovered, with some, including Etruscan items, dating back to 575BC, although the layout we see now was later than that.

15km

40.7492114.4844

Lupanar (Pompeii)

An ancient brothel with pornographic frescoes over the entrance to each room, presumably indicating the services on offer. Even allowing for the smaller size of ancient Romans the beds seem rather small.

16km

40.750314.4868

Amphitheatre of Pompeii

This is in the most easterly corner of the excavated area, near the Sarno Gate entrance. It was completed in 80BC, measures 135 x 104 metres and could hold about 20,000 people. It is the earliest surviving permanent amphitheatre in Italy and one of the best preserved anywhere. It was used for gladiator battles, other sports and spectacles involving wild animals.

16km

40.75126414.49497

Ischia

volcanic island in the Tyrrhenian Sea

50km

40.73120413.895721

Paestum

ancient Greek city in today's Capaccio Paestum, Italy

79km

40.4222222215.00527778
Nature

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Herculaneum

Italy
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Someday we will visit Herculaneum or begin to dream about going there! However, for now its not on our radar. Let us know in the comments if you think that should change!

Herculaneum

Herculaneum is a town close to Naples in Campania, Italy. It is named after the ruined Roman city which forms its main attraction. Herculaneum was destroyed by an eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in AD 79, the same eruption that destroyed Pompeii. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Ancient tradition connected Herculaneum with the name of the Greek hero Heracles (Hercules in Latin and consequently Roman Mythology), an indication that the city was of Greek origin. In fact, it seems that some forefathers of the Samnite tribes of the Italian mainland founded the first civilization on the site of Herculaneum at the end of the 6th century BC. Soon after, the town came under Greek control and was used as a trading post because of its proximity to the Gulf of Naples. The Greeks named the city Ἡράκλειον, Heraklion. In the 4th century BC, Herculaneum again came under the domination of the Samnites. The city remained under Samnite control until it became a Roman municipium in 89 BC, when, having participated in the Social War ("War of The Allies" against Rome), it was defeated by Titus Didius, a legate of Sulla.

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