Pompeii is a ruined and partially buried Roman city near modern Naples in the Italian region of Campania, in the territory of the comune of Pompei.
It, along with Herculaneum (its sister city), was destroyed, and completely buried, during a catastrophic eruption of the volcano Mount Vesuvius spanning two days on 24 August 79 AD.
The volcano collapsed higher roof-lines and buried Pompeii under many meters of ash and pumice, and it was lost for nearly 1700 years before its accidental rediscovery in 1748. Since then, its excavation has provided an extraordinarily detailed insight into the life of a city at the height of the Roman Empire. Today, it is one of the most popular tourist attractions of Italy and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Pompeii has become a popular tourist destination for centuries (it was on the Grand Tour); with approximately 2.5 million visitors a year, it is the most popular tourist attraction in Italy.[citation needed] It is now part of a larger Vesuvius National Park and was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1997. To combat problems associated with tourism, the governing body for Pompeii, the Soprintendenza Archaeological di Pompei have begun issuing new tickets that allow for tourists to also visit cities such as Herculaneum and Stabiae as well as the Villa Poppaea, to encourage visitors to see these sites and reduce pressure on Pompeii.
Pompeii is also a driving force behind the economy of the nearby town of Pompei. Many residents are employed in the tourism and hospitality business, serving as taxi or bus drivers, waiters or hotel operators. The ruins can be reached by simply walking from the modern town to the various entrances, there are adequate car parks and the entrances are also accessible to tourists through the train line to the modern town, or else a private train line, the Circumvesuviana, that runs directly to the ancient site.
A paved streetExcavations in the site have generally ceased due to the moratorium imposed by the superintendent of the site, Professor Pietro Giovanni Guzzo. Additionally, the site is generally less accessible to tourists, with less than a third of all buildings open in the 1960s being available for public viewing today. Nevertheless, the sections of the ancient city open to the public are extensive, and tourists can spend many days exploring the whole site.
It was once said that all roads lead to Rome. Even in the 21st century, that is true. Attempting to write about the city is almost fruitless. It is so enormous and there is such a multitude of things to do in Rome, that is must be seen to be fully comprehended. And even then, it will take days to get even a small glimpse into the past of one of the benchmarks of Western Civilization. A symbol of corruption and epic brutality, of great beauty and unmatched opulence, few cities rival Rome in terms of grandeur or of historical import. Thus, Rome tourism is one the best stocked industries in the entire country.
The Vatican rests safely within city walls, a separate sovereignty, but a vital part of the city that is inseparable from Rome itself. In fact, the symbiotic relationship between Rome and The Vatican goes back for many years – many of the great treasures of the Renaissance were created out of the ruins of the Roman Empire, great chunks of marble looted from the Roman Forum and Circus Maximus to construct baroque masterpieces just a short distance away. This just adds another layer of the many sights and other things to do in Rome.
A staple of Rome tourism is getting around town on just your feet. Taxis and trains will preclude you from glimpsing many of the secrets and treasures of the city, so you’d better be wearing comfortable shoes. Since the city is more than a little overwhelming, many Rome walking tours cover just one section of the city at a time. The northern part of town features the gardens of Villa Borghese and landmarks such as the Spanish steps. Along the eastern side of the Tiber River is where you’ll find attractions such as the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, and Piazza Navona – easily the busiest square in the entire nation. Further south is ancient Rome, the remains of the Roman forum and Colosseum sitting silent beneath the aged palaces of Palatine Hill. The western side of the Tiber will include Rome walking tours into the confines of the Trastevere district, renowned as home to the finest in dining and nightlife. Further north is Vatican City, the center for the entire Catholic faith, awash in baroque architecture and artwork that helped define the Renaissance.
Rome tourism is one of the safest bets in the world. People will never tire of viewing crumbling emblems of ancient times, of seeing some of the majestic works of the renaissance, of eating at traditional Italian restaurants, of relaxing in the same gardens as European royalty once did. And these are just a few of the things to do in Rome. To get a good feel for the city, you have to be prepared and efficient – like most Romans, you have to be quick on your feet and full of vibrant energy. Otherwise, this is not the place for you. Even the most casual of the many Rome walking tours available will exhaust you. But its beauty is unrivaled, its scenery astounding and nothing should dissuade you from witnessing the charm and vibrancy of one of the birthplaces of civilization.