POMPEII

After our visit to Herculaneum and a stop for lunch, we traveled to the archaeological site of Pompeii. Pompeii was another ancient Roman town that was destroyed by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79. Unlike Herculaneum, which was buried in mud, this town was buried under tons of volcanic ash, preserving the city that lay beneath. Plaster was used during the excavation to fill the voids in the ash layers that once held human bodies, which allowed the final poses of the victims to be preserved.

Takeaways: 1) Pompeii was a very large city. It's not possible to see all the ruins in one visit. 2) The mosaic floors are impressive works of art. 3) Graffiti still remains on the city walls. 4) The lupanar (brothel) is worth a short wait in line. It reminded us of the Red Light District in Amsterdam. 5) The carriage tracks in the street! Pretty cool. 6) Phallic symbols were symbols of fertility and success. They were carved on street corners and entrances to homes.

Recommendations:

1) Visit in the afternoon to avoid the crowds.

2) Sign up for a guided tour. It's helpful to have someone point out the important details.

3) Wear comfortable shoes.