We got up nice and early and were first at the gates waiting for entry to the ancient city of Pompeii
|
Restoration has been going on since 1595.
|
Mount Vesuvius (in the background) is famous for the catastrophic eruption in 79 A.D. that buried the towns of Herculaneum and Pompeii.
|
The 79 A.D. eruption of Vesuvius was the first volcanic eruption ever to be described in detail.
|
From 18 miles (30 km) west of the volcano, Pliny the Younger, witnessed the eruption and later recorded his observations in two letters.
|
It is estimated that at times during the eruption the column of ash was 20 miles (32 km) tall.
|
About 1 cubic mile (4 cubic kilometres) of ash was erupted in about 19 hours.
|
|
Pompeii was completely buried except the roofs of some buildings. The city was abandoned and its location forgotten until 1595.
|
A water trough.
|
|
Most of Pompeii has been excavated which has seen a lot of theft of artifacts.
|
A typical street, note the three stepping stones. Their sole purpose was to stop you stepping in sewerage. Pretty nasty speed bumps as well.
|
A lot of the site has just been left to the elements.
|
Fitzy found the bakery. Now where's the brewery?
|
This photo shows some of the wall and door trim details.
|
In the process of restoring the bakery.
|
This surprised us as to how developed the Pompeian's were in the use of ceramics for their mosaic's.
|
More fresco's.
|
It's surprising how well things had stood up over time.
|
How did they make the stone pillars without cranes?
|
Who's the Tommy tourist?
|
Interior decorating anyone? It's amazing that the things we take for granted today was available so long ago.
|
No idea what this bronze statue signifies.
|
Intricate stone fountain.
|
We believe this was a day bed.
|
I'm too sexy. Fitzy's self portrait in stone.
|
This is how they found people after they dug the city out. They believe this was a local citizen due to the slaves having a belt around their waist.
|
Couple of locals just hanging out.
|
Now where did you say McDonald's was?
|
Ruth doing her Pompeii version of the Beatles Abbey Road album cover
|
Traffic anyone???
|
Even Pompeii has to deal with the everyday bump and grind of traffic.
|
A little tourist information.
|