So this is a cultural post. I promise it will be the only one this week but I couldn't come to Naples without seeing the world renowned historical sights of both Pompeii and Mt Vesuvius. Forever entwined in history.
Only about 30 minutes on the train from Naples, Pompeii is an historical treasure. Once a busy port, the first reports of Pompeii date back to the 7th century BC. Always under the menacing eye of the great Mt Vesuvius, Pompeii was in a period of reconstruction following a massive eruption in 62 AD. However, in August 79 AD the now infamous eruption from Vesuvius buried Pompeii under ash and rock, keeping it hidden for centuries, until 1748 when full excavation work started under King of Naples Charles III of Bourbon.
What the world has now is a beautifully preserved ancient city with all the dividing neighbourhoods clearly defineable. Wandering around the streets, silently, under the shadow of Vesuvius, one really does get a sense of ancient days gone by. Strolling through to the massive amphitheatre, one of the oldest and best preserved in existence that used to house gladiator battles. With the participants parading through one gate whilst the dead or injured were removed through the other.
And from Pompeii, it was time to see the protaganist of this story up close. Getting one of the buses upto 1000 meters, it was then a 30 minute, steep walk, upto the crater of the beast. But, oh how it was worth it. Fantastic views on the climb up, and then, before you know it, you are hit smack in the face with it. The gawping crater of Vesuvius. The size and scale of which you just can not do justice in a photo. However, to prove I was actually there, and not still in Pompeii sipping chilled Peroni, a photo below.
However, after the walk back down, bus to Pompeii, and then train back into Naples, I was ready for a chiiled beer or 2.
Cin cin!
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