Life is not a bed of roses as we have all come to realize over the years. But more so in the last two years as good moments turned to horror in a matter of few days. Yet we live on and fight to survive a new day with hope. Such is the story of this picturesque Italian town Pompeii neighboring what was once a pretty, affluent and happy Roman city, devastated by natural calamity in a matter of few hours. We are on our way today to witness history as we visit the ‘Fascinating Ruins of Pompeii’. Moreover it’s an experience which would open your eyes wide with admiration and bring a few tears as well.
Where is Pompeii?
Pompeii is an archaeological site near the coast of Bay of Naples in Southern Italy’s Campania region. The closest airport is Naples International Airport which is just 26 kms away. Moreover you have train connections to Napoli from Venice, Florence and Rome as well if you have been holidaying there. You could book your train tickets right here on ItaliaRail.
Furthermore if you wish to spend a week or little less exploring the Amalfi Coast, Sorrento the lemon town is a great base to park yourself after spending a day in Napoli. We did exactly that. And then those lovely day trips from there to Pompeii, Mount Vesuvius, Positano, Amalfi & Capri would please your senses and make your holidays to Italy so very special.
How to reach Pompeii from Sorrento
By Train- The Sorrento train station is located just opposite Piazza Angelina Lauro in the center of town. Take the Circumvesuviana train which runs from Sorento to Naples and in around 30 minutes you would be in Pompeii. The entrance to the archaeological site is just across the station.
By Bus- You could opt for the SITA SUD Buses from outside the train station, which also operate when the trains don’t run during early morning or late evening hours. However the time taken is around an hour and during summer months a little more due to heavy traffic.
Conducted Tours- We availed this option which is the most convenient with the added advantage of an archaeological expert as guide. Add to that the inclusive skip the line entry tickets and a nice lunch which made it a bit more rewarding.
However if you are not availing a conducted tour, do book your tickets online in advance to avoid long queues. You can buy your tickets here on Ticketone.
What happened in Pompeii?
On that fateful afternoon of August 24, A.D 79, the cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum were rocked by a massive volcanic explosion. Mount Vesuvius erupted after being dormant for long. It sent pumice stones, volcanic ash and after a couple of hours a cloud of poisonous dark gas and super heated rocks around ten miles high in the air for the next twelve hours. And at hundred miles an hour it hit Pompeii burying the city under million of tonnes of debris. While many escaped anticipating the worst in the first few hours, as many as 2000 residents stayed back hoping to survive and prayed. They all died while close to 16,000 people were killed overall as a result of this catastrophe.
An eyewitness’s account
Pliny, The Younger
What historians know today about the explosion is based on the two letters written by Roman historian Pliny, The Younger to historian Tacitus. He was 17 years when it all happened and was present in the Bay of Naples at that time. According to him, he saw a tree-shaped cloud engulf into the sky spraying the helpless praying residents with pumice, ash and burning stones. His uncle Pliny, The Elder who was a Roman military commander ordered ships and set sail to rescue people. But he too was killed inhaling the poisonous fumes.
What was Pompeii like then?
Pompeii was a superb green town starting with kitchen plots, orchards, vineyards and impressive gardens with pool and fountains. There were also a huge variety of trees, herbs, flowers and vegetables that researchers have found out during their studies.
A large part of the inhabitants consisted of farmers, merchants & producers and manufacturers of oil, cereals, fruits, vegetables, wine, textiles, mosaic, pots & pans. And the city was built in a grand fashion. With splendid structures, larger than life statues, wide roads, amphitheaters, luxurious Roman baths and lavish villas. Little did they know that the flourishing orchards and vineyards were all the more so due to the dark fertile soil being fortified by the volcanic materials as a result of the earlier eruptions.
Fascinating Ruins of Pompeii
The Journey to Discover
The greenery, statues & structures
The streets, lanes and homes
The Brothels
Some history
Some Anecdotes
Recent excavations
One of the many Villas
Market Places
Manufacturing Units
And some products
Monuments
Amphitheatre
Exhibit Halls
Public Places
City Center
Moments of sadness
The bodies of the victims of Pompei had decomposed over time leaving body shaped spaces in the hardened ash. Almost 2000 years later, archaeologists were able to create Pompeii’s famous body casts by pouring plaster into these spaces revealing their last moments. Here are some sad moments.
A late lunch for us with a heavy heart
Life moves on in Pompeii
Pompeii is back to being an affluent town once again with the influx of tourists every year. However Mount Vesuvius is considered to be the most dangerous volcano in Europe, if not the whole world. It is still an active volcano and may erupt again someday. And if that happens, it would endanger the life of around six million people who currently live in areas surrounding Vesuvius, including Pompeii. May that day never come and Pompeii stays with these colors of happiness for ever.
As I sat down to write this memoir, an opening song from one of the first Hindi television soaps appeared from nowhere on my lips. A song that millions of Indians have hummed over the years while some like me still do. And the words are so relevant in the context of the city of Pompeii and our own life. Sung by none other than the legendary musical “Nightingale of India” Lata Mangeshkar, who herself sadly left us few days back. But her memories, her voice and her songs will live on. Isn’t this what life is all about?
यादों के धुंडले दर्पण में
बीते हर पल की छाया है
हर मोड़ पे मैंने जीवन के
कुछ खोया है कुछ पाया है
In the blurred mirror of memories
There are shadows of every past moment
At every bend of life I have
Lost something and found something
Travel to live memories. And if you loved this Pompeii journey, PIN it for friends!
What a heart wrenching tale, hope Vesuvius stays put 😢
Yes Dipy very sad a reality.
I have very fond memories of our visit to Pompeii years ago! And your pictures brought back some more. Did you also see the famous cave canem mosaique? This was the reason for me to visit the site – because I saw a picture of this mosaique in my Latin Book in school!
Yes Natascha. We did see the fabulous mosaique creation. Just fabulous and created so many years back. Couldn’t get a good click.
Wonderful post on the fascinating ruins of Pompeii. It brought back fond memories of the once lively city. The plastered bodies of the victims are spine chilling indeed. Undoubtedly the volcanic ashes and lava makes a land fertile and beautiful. And the post is so beautifully ended by lines from legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar’s song.
Can you remind from which soap opera it is?
Thanks Puloma. And the song I think is from ‘Subah’.
I must admit to being totally blown away when we got to Pompeii. I did not expect to see such extensive ruins. And we definitely had some moments of sadness when we saw the bodies of victims. We were amazed at the resilience of the Italians to keep living right under the volcano!
Yes Linda it requires courage to be leading a normal life near a volcano knowing it can erupt again suddenly.
Even though we live in the north of Italy, we still haven’t visited Pompeii. The site is fascinating and it’s so sad to think about the tragedy. I’m inspired to visit this year after reading this!
Yes Lisa you must visit since you are so close.
What a lovely poem you included there at the end. Truly brought a tear to my eye. Especially after reading this sad story that I have heard about, but never actually read a blog about. Great work!
Thank you Mike so much.
We found our visit to Pompeii so fascinating and the story so sad. Everything has been so well preserved we can really get an idea of what day to day life in Pompeii was like. The grand houses with mosaics still intact were particularly interesting. I’d highly recommend a private guide as you can learn so much.
For us too Laura it was a fascinating journey.
I didn’t realize there was so much greenery in Pompeii. It’s scary to think how many people were killed in the volcanic explosion though and it’s truly quite a tragedy. Hopefully Mount Vesuvius stays dormant and that this unfortunate event does not happen again!
Yes we pray Vesuvius does not erupt again ever.
I was so happy to find such a photo-rich post about Pompeii. Several years ago, I went to Naples and Positano, but could not fit Pompeii into my itinerary. I appreciate the details you shared here, and can envision what a trip here would have been like – and what I missed.
Mt. Vesuvius is something of a legend in my family, since my grandmother witnessed the smoke plumes from the 1906 eruption at age 3. It left her with lasting anxiety to “take flight” as an adult whenever storm clouds filled the sky. This makes it all the more personally meaningful.
I can’t even imagine the devastation felt by those who survived in 79, and the tremendous loss of those who did not make it out alive. May their memory be honored, and I hope we never see anything like that again in our lifetime.
Thank you so much Jackie. So happy you liked it. Yes may a repeat never happen.