Strolling among the wonders of Herculaneum

Herculaneum, a historic town in the heart of the Gulf of Naples and a favorite destination for tourists from all over the world, stretches from the sea to the summit of Mount Vesuvius, the famous and still active — and much-feared — volcano.

Eruption of Mount Vesuvius, 79 A.D.

Herculaneum, a historic town in the heart of the Gulf of Naples and a favorite destination for tourists from all over the world, stretches from the sea to the summit of Mount Vesuvius, the famous and still active volcano so greatly feared.

Struck by the earthquake of 62 A.D. and buried by the eruption of 79 A.D.—together with Pompeii and Stabiae—Herculaneum houses a precious archaeological park, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

According to an ancient legend, the city was founded by the hero Hercules in 1243 B.C., and later came under Greek, Samnite, and Roman rule.

Under the Romans, thanks to its natural beauty, strategic location, and mild climate, Herculaneum became a wealthy residential center for the Roman aristocracy, who built luxurious villas and grand residences for their leisure.

However, the eruption of 79 A.D. almost completely destroyed it, burying it under mud, ash, and lapilli. Fortunately, the layer of lava preserved houses, theaters, and temples in excellent condition, while organic materials such as wooden furniture, papyri, and fabrics were found nearly intact.

On the ruins of the ancient city, a new settlement called Resina was later built; it retained this name until 1969, when it was officially renamed Ercolano.

Walking through its narrow streets is an extraordinary experience—one is suddenly transported into a magical and mysterious atmosphere, back to the splendor of Roman times.

The Archaeological Excavations of Herculaneum

In the urban center lie the Archaeological Excavations of the ancient buried city, where visitors can admire ancient domus, magnificent monuments, private residences, public buildings, temples, and luxurious bath complexes.

Many of the recovered artifacts are displayed at the National Archaeological Museum of Naples, while the Virtual Archaeological Museum (MAV), opened in 2008, digitally reconstructs Herculaneum before and during the eruption of Vesuvius.

A must-see is the Villa of the Papyri, built overlooking the sea and belonging to the ancient Pisones family. Named after the 1,000 papyri found in its library, the partially excavated villa once had frescoed rooms, original mosaics, and today visitors can admire 58 bronze statues and 29 marble sculptures.

Also remarkable are the Central Baths, dating back to the second half of the 1st century B.C., divided into male and female sections, each containing three thermal areas: the frigidarium (cold bath), calidarium (hot bath), and tepidarium, which features a beautiful black-and-white mosaic depicting a triton among dolphins.

Herculaneum, Guardian of a Glorious Past and Priceless Treasures

Excavations have uncovered numerous skeletons of victims of the eruption, still wearing gold jewelry and personal items.

Among the most noteworthy domus are the House of the Deer, named for two statues depicting deer attacked by dogs, and the House of Neptune and Amphitrite, owned by a wealthy merchant and decorated with glass paste mosaics.

Another remarkable site is the Fornici, former port warehouses that also served as boat shelters along the ancient shoreline.

Just a short walk away, visitors can admire 18th-century Bourbon villas along the Golden Mile (Miglio d’Oro), built by the most renowned architects of the time, including Luigi Vanvitelli, who designed Villa Campolieto.

Of particular interest is also the Approdo della Favorita, the sea entrance of the Royal Villa of La Favorita, part of its monumental complex.

A Unique Oasis of Natural, Scenic, and Scientific Interest

For nature lovers, the Vesuvius National Park offers a tranquil escape: visitors can explore the Museum of the Vesuvius Observatory—the oldest volcanological observatory in the world—and even climb the Great Cone of Vesuvius to gaze into the crater.

Craftsmanship, Gastronomy, and More…

Herculaneum is famous for its craft traditions, especially coral carving, lava stonework, and filigree jewelry.

Its culinary delights include the exquisite Pomodorino del Piennolo del Vesuvio D.O.P., in both red and yellow varieties, enjoyed fresh, hung in clusters (al piennolo), or preserved in jars; the renowned Vesuvian apricot; and the world-famous Lacryma Christi wine.

According to legend, “When God recognized in the Gulf of Naples a fragment of heaven stolen by Lucifer, He wept, and where His divine tears fell, the vine of Lacryma Christi was born.”

For shopping enthusiasts, the Pugliano Market, also known as the Resina Market, is a must-visit—a paradise for vintage clothing, where even Cinecittà’s costume designers have sourced garments for film productions.

This market was even featured in Sergio Zavoli’s documentary series Diario di un cronista, in the episode La tratta degli stracci (“The Rag Trade”).