In 79 AD, Mount Vesuvius erupted violently, covering the city at its base with volcanic ash. People on the streets were crushed under the weight of materials; Many people died of suffocation and some died in their homes as their city was buried under ash. The city remained frozen in time, perfectly preserved from the moment it all ended, until the 1700s, when it was unearthed, making it one of the most famous discoveries of all time. this is the city pompeii,

Why is Pompeii famous?

The story of Pompeii is as tragic as it is fascinating. The city was once a thriving center of Roman life, filled with bustling markets, grand villas, and grand public baths. But on that fateful day, Vesuvius released a torrent of pyroclastic flow that engulfed Pompeii within hours. Ash and debris covered the city, cutting it off from the rest of the world. For centuries, it was hidden under a blanket of volcanic material, forgotten over time.

Excavations did not begin until the 18th century, revealing a remarkably well-preserved Roman civilization. The layers of ash acted like a protective shield, protecting everything from wall paintings to household items, even the bodies of the city’s unfortunate inhabitants for 17 centuries. Today, these excavated ruins allow visitors to step back into the daily lives of the Romans, frozen in a moment of terror.

While Pompeii is the most famous of the cities affected by Vesuvius, other nearby sites such as Herculaneum and Stabiae suffered similar damage and are worth a visit. Unlike Pompeii, Herculaneum was buried under a denser layer of pyroclastic material, preserving wooden structures and even food items. Pompeii, Herculaneum and Torre Annunziata were collectively designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997.

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What to see in Pompeii?

You can start your visit by strolling the streets of Pompeii Archaeological Park, where thousands of people were buried under several feet of volcanic ash. Head to the Forum, once the political, religious and commercial center of Pompeii with temples, buildings and markets.

A visit to the House of the Faun is also highly recommended. It is one of the largest and most magnificent residences in Pompeii, known for its exquisite mosaics. You should also make a pitstop at the amphitheater. Built in 80 BC, it is the oldest known stone building of its kind in the Roman world. It could once accommodate more than 20,000 spectators.

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However, among the most haunting aspects of a visit to Pompeii are the plaster casts of the city’s inhabitants, made by archaeologists who filled with plaster the voids left by the decomposing bodies, and the last, desperate moments of those caught in the explosion. Was imprisoned.

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