Pompeii

Pompeii is an ancient Roman town near modern Naples in Italy that was buried by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79. The city’s rapid burial preserved buildings, street layouts and artifacts, making it a key archaeological site for Roman urban life.

Excavations reveal city features including the Forum, temples, bakeries, shops, private houses with frescoes and mosaics, public baths and a well-preserved amphitheatre. Streets and building interiors are accessible along marked routes, allowing visitors to walk through domestic and civic spaces and view plaster casts of victims preserved in ash. Guided tours and onsite signage explain the function of major structures and the daily life of the town’s inhabitants.

Pompeii was a thriving Roman town before being overwhelmed by the eruption of Vesuvius on 24 August AD 79, which buried the city under metres of ash and pumice. Systematic excavations began in the 18th century and have continued in phases since, producing one of the most complete records of Roman urban architecture and art.

The ruins lie near the modern town of Pompeii in the Campania region of southern Italy, on the northwestern slopes of Mount Vesuvius and roughly 23 kilometres southeast of Naples.

• Preservation and rediscovery: Buried by the AD 79 eruption of Mount Vesuvius and rediscovered in the 18th century, the site offers extensive excavated streets and buildings preserved under volcanic ash.
• Visiting advice: Early morning visits are recommended to avoid crowds and heat; much of the site is exposed to the elements so wear comfortable shoes and sun protection.

What to See #

• Forum: The central civic area of the Roman town containing administrative buildings, temples and marketplaces and serving as the archaeological and social core.
• Amphitheatre: A well-preserved Roman amphitheatre dating to the 1st century BCE, used historically for public spectacles and one of the oldest intact stone amphitheatres.
• House of the Faun: One of the largest private residences uncovered at the site, famous for its mosaics and frescoes including a well-known depiction of a dancing faun.