Herculaneum Archaeological Area

About

A sister site to Pompeii, Herculaneum was founded around the 6th century BC. By the time it was destroyed, had blossomed into a wealthy town with a population of around 4,000. The pyroclastic surge that killed its inhabitants, and left the city buried under 16-25 meters of rock, also carbonized wood, and other organic material, perfectly preserving it. Much of the ancient city lies under the modern suburb of Ercolano, so it remains unexcavated. Even so, the preserved houses revealed wooden lofts, wine racks, and bed frames, offering an intimate look into ancient Roman life. A walkthrough shows not only the well-preserved buildings but also stunning mosaics, ancient advertisements, and even fossilized remains of the city’s unfortunate inhabitants. Please note: tickets are not included in the stop price.