The ancient city of Pompeii, Italy, 20 mi/30 km southeast of Naples, was quite prosperous in Roman times. But the city, at the foot of Mount Vesuvius, was destroyed in AD 79 following the infamous volcanic eruption that covered it with 13-20 ft/4-6 m of pumice and ash. The modern city of Pompei is just a few miles/kilometers to the east.
Pompeii and Herculaneum (Ercolano) remained covered until the 1700s, when a farmer discovered Pompeii while digging a well.
Archaeological explorations took place in the mid-1800s, and Pompeii remains one of the most important archaeological sites in the world, providing a complete picture of Roman life at the height of the Roman Empire.
Pompeii was a city of nearly 20,000 in Roman times, and in the summer it can be exhausting to see it all. The best way to see the ancient city is by using an audio guide or an authorized guide (who should wear proper identification) in order to focus on the highlights.
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