Majestic and menacing, Vesuvius still dominates the Neapolitan landscape. This beautiful menace, overlooking the bay of Naples, last erupted in 1944. About 700,000 people live on the slopes, some in houses only a few hundred metres from the crater (property and rents are cheap here). Some 12,000 years after it first exploded into life, it looks peaceful enough-no white plume from the summit-but Vesuvius is just sleeping, not dead.
From the Eighteenth century onwards travellers have been prepared to tackle the climb up to the top in order to admire the panorama and look down into the crater. There is no better starting point to begin a journey through the history and culture of Campania. A journey which takes us back in time, as far as that 24th of August in 79A.D. when Vesuvius 'put on a show' with a devastating eruption which buried Pompeii, Herculanum and Oplontis.
The rediscovery of the places that were victims of the wrath of the volcano came about almost by chance. In 1709 the prince d'Elboeuf, was having a well dug in his Vesuvian residence, when he came upon the remains of th theatre of Herculaneum. From then on researches were made which brought to light an archaeological, artistic and historical heritage of inestimable value, and which every year draws millions of visitors.
After the Pompei catastrophe, seven major eruptions occurred before 1032 and some minor ones up to the 14th century. Vesuvius then slept for over 300 years. In 1631 it exploded again. The most spectacular recent eruption came in 1872 when a new cone opened on the north flank . More recently in 1906 and then during world war ll in 1944, eerily in the middle of an allied bombing raid. Its predicted to erupt again this year 2008.
I was really looking forward to the climb to the top (It's quite a walk and ideally you need a backpack with a good supply of plastic bottles of water, sunhat, decent walking shoes and a coat or jumper). The Ercolano winds through pretty woodland and lava fields to a car park. It's about a 30 minute walk to the top but well worth it. When we went there was an Italian gentleman at the start of the climb giving out walking sticks (not sure if you had to pay for them as we did not use them). The path to the top is easy to follow and has a wooden railing to side of it(this can be seen on photographs).
There are several viewing bays on the way where you can catch your breath and admire the amazing views over the bay of Naples and down on the spreading slopes where once roamed the army of Spartacus and the Aqua Augusta (Roman Aquaduct) carried fresh water down to the bay. At the top you feel like you are floating in the clouds(or maybe it's just me having a dizzy moment again lol), the views are fantastic and you can look down into the crater. Definitely worth the climb to the top(if you are fit and able) the views more than make up for the climb. If you are tired you can stop on the way at various points for a rest.
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