Because of its exceptional finds and their excellent state of preservation, UNESCO protects the Archaeological Area of Pompeii and Herculaneum, which were destroyed by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 A.D. The volcanic lava may have caused their destruction, but as it hardened, that very lava became an exceptional means of preservation for all that lied beneath.

Herculaneum was an ancient Roman city close to Pompeii. Like Pompeii and Stabiae, it was buried under almost 60 feet of burning hot mud when Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 A.D. Herculaneum, much closer to the mouth of the volcano, was buried to a depth of 65 feet or more, in a deposit as tough as concrete. However, the mud and lava that buried Herculaneum also preserved it as a record of life in ancient times. Fifteen hundred years later, archaeologists dug through the hardened layers of mud and lava and found priceless manuscripts, works of art, and tools of daily life. The site is full of tunnels dug by thieves and it is believed these thieves have carried off many priceless works of art. Excavators have found magnificent marble and bronze statues, paintings, and papyrus rolls. Most of these treasures are housed at the National Archaeological Museum in Naples.

Romantics are attracted to the well-preserved Herculaneum, where even today you can feel the atmosphere of the past. Herculaneum, with its many villas, is situated at the sea and boasts beautiful gardens and flowers. In many cases, even the upper floors of the villas and the wooden furniture were preserved.

Paestum, ancient city of Lucania, was a colony of the Greek city of Sybaris and was first named Posidonia. It has always been shrouded in mystery. Unlike Pompeii and even Herculaneum, Paestum is usually deserted. Its gleaming white marble temples, set against the dark brown hills and deep blue sea, provide a uniquely Greek experience in Italy.

Paestum`s Temple of Hera (also called the Temple of Poseidon) was among the most famous cult-worship sites in antiquity. Although it is the oldest, best preserved and most beautiful Doric temple in existence today, and despite the city`s proximity to Salerno (24 miles) and Capaccio (4 miles), these majestic ruins were unknown all through the Middle Ages and the Renaissance.

Paestum is considered one of the best collections of Greek temples anywhere. Serenely situated, it`s surrounded by fields and wildflowers and a modest commercial area. Rediscovered in the 18th century, Paestum today offers the only well-preserved Greek ruins north of Sicily.

In the year 79 A.D., Mount Vesuvius erupted so suddenly that most residents didn`t have time to escape. The fiery mountain buried the city and all living beings under huge amounts of mud and ash. The violent eruption also buried Pompeii`s small neighboring town Herculaneum under a huge stream of mud mixed with lava. Most residents died a dramatic death under the mud.

It is unlikely the citizens of Pompeii realized that a dormant volcano was so close to their village or that it was responsible for the rich soil deposited in the region, much to the benefit of its farmers. Its prosperous citizens undoubtedly sought comfort in the majesty of Mount Vesuvius and regarded it as nothing less than a gift from the gods. However, nature warned of an impending disaster by way of a shattering earthquake just seventeen years earlier that shook the region, damaging homes, temples and statues, many of which were raised to the ground. The inhabitants rebuilt their magnificent Forum, their temples to their gods, their theatres and coliseum, their homes and businesses. When Vesuvius finally erupted there was a tremendous explosion and a towering column of flames, rocks, smoke and dust gushed from the summit of their beloved mountain. A half hour later Pompeii, six miles southeast of the crater, began to be pelted with fallout. Pompeiian`s took to their homes to escape the hurling missiles and choking ash. Everyone who remained in the little town (some estimate as many as 2,000 people) perished instantly. Pompeii was buried under nine feet of ash and a deep hard layer left by the surges. Pompeii`s 160 acres, buried deep in the earth, began an almost 2,000 year slumber.

The excavations of Pompeii show a wealthy city, completely preserved, and impressive due to its size with many beautiful houses, temples, public buildings, wall paintings and thermal springs. Some of the most important findings were taken to the National Archaeological Museum in Naples. Pompeii, frozen in time by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius, offers the absolute best idea of what Roman life must have been like 2,000 years ago. Once a thriving commercial port, Pompeii grew from Greek and Etruscan roots to become an important Roman city. An entire city of well-preserved ruins is yours to explore. When touring Pompeii, remember this was a successful trading city with a booming economy. Most streets would have been lined with stalls and crowded with customers from sunrise to sunset. Chariots vied for street space with shoppers, and many streets were off-limits to chariots during shopping hours (you`ll still see street signs with pictures of men carrying vases, which meant pedestrians only). Pompeii`s best art is in the Naples Archaeological Museum.

Offers the best look at Pompeii and Herculaneum, the actual sights, though impressive, are barren. The priceless frescoes and mosaics are preserved and protected at the museum. The Secret Room displays R-rated Roman `bedroom` art; and a museum highlight is the Farnese Collection, a giant hall of huge, bright, and wonderfully restored statues excavated from Rome`s Baths of Caracalla. You can almost hear the Toro Farnese snorting. This largest intact statue from antiquity (a third-century copy of a Hellenistic original) was carved out of one piece of marble and restored by Michelangelo.

Volcano at the Bay of Naples Mount Vesuvius is among the most explored and well known volcanoes on earth. On clear days you can see the silhouette of the volcano from the whole Bay of Naples. The original volcano was more than likely destroyed by its eruption in 79 A.D. when the rivers of lava buried Pompeii and Herculaneum. At that time, the volcano claimed thousands of lives and turned the idyllic, lush slopes into sand and ashes within only a few hours. Today`s Vesuvius arose from this eruption. In the north, Monte Somma is probably a gigantic remnant of a volcano that developed in prehistoric times. Called `the hunchback,` or `scartellato,` it is seen as a friendly companion by the people of Naples despite its destructive potential. Mount Vesuvius has not been active since 1944, but is under the constantly watchful eyes of volcanologists, who regularly measure its temperature. The massive crater (Gran Cono) of the Vesuvius of nowadays has a diameter of 700m, a circumference of 12km and is 200m deep. In reality the volcano system, in general called the Vesuvius, comprises two volcanoes: The Monte Somma (dormant) and the Vesuvius (Gran Cono).

How to get there:
By car: Take the A3 from Naples then take the Torre del Greco or Ercolano exit.
By train (Circumvesuviana): Get off in Ercolano and catch a bus to the car park.
A road leads up through beautiful vineyards, lava fields and the valleys of Valle del Gigante and Valle dell`Inferno. On foot the ascent takes you from the car park with its souvenir and refreshment stands over a gravel road to the top. When the weather is nice visitors can enjoy a fantastic panoramic view and smell the broom bushes between May and August. At the top, it`s desolate and lunar-like and the rocks are hot. Visitors should walk the entire crater lip for the most interesting views with the far end overlooking Pompeii. If you are still and silent you can hear the wind and rocks tumbling in the crater. Please note Vesuvius is closed when erupting.