Herculaneum, Naples, Italy

Herculaneum. Herculaneum (the new town is called Ercolano) is a small town just outside Naples at the base of Vesuvius beside the bay of Naples that was destroyed by the eruption of nearby Vesuvius in 79AD.Unlike the devastation and destruction of Pompeii caused by the initial eruption and massive boulders being spewed down on Pompeii Herculaneum was covered in a pyroclastic wall of mud and steaming lava that washed and flowed down the side of the mountain covering the small town completely entombing the town and its inhabitants under 50- 60 feet of tuff on the spot wherever they may have been ... more

I work overseas quite a lot, and always try to take time to visit interesting places. This is one such place. I've worked in Italy many times, I have visited Pompeii, but I have always wanted to visit Herculaneum *** What is it ? *** Everybody (I hope) has heard of Pompeii, the Roman city which was devastated by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79. Herculaneum was a Roman city & port, which was caught up and devastated by the same eruption, but in some respects the preservation of the city, was much better. *** Where is it ?*** The best way I found to get there was by train. Take the ... more