Pompeii underwent a great deal of development during this period of Roman rule. An amphitheater, a palaestra with a swimming pool in the center, an aqueduct that provided water for many fountains in the street, four public baths, and many private houses and businesses were built during this time. A large number of frescoes that were well-preserved provided archaeologists with a good idea of what everyday life was like in Pompeii. It has also helped art historians in better understanding the art of the ancient world.

By the late first century AD, Pompeii was one of many towns located at the base of Mount Vesuvius, an active volcano. The area had a good deal of people living in it, but experts disagree on the amount of people living in Pompeii when Vesuvius erupted in 79AD. A major earthquake 17 years earlier sent many of Pompeii’s 20,000 inhabitants fleeing for another place to live.

The eruption happened sometime between August and November of 79AD, burying Pompeii in twelve different layers of soil, ash, and lava. After Pompeii and other towns were covered, they were abandoned. Eventually the names and locations of the cities were forgotten for nearly 1600 years until the digging of an underground channel unearthed ancient walls that were covered with paintings and inscriptions. Nothing more was said or found for another 150+ years when Karl Weber was in charge of the first real excavations. In 1860 the first human remains were found. Many of the mosaics have been moved to a museum in Naples. Work on Pompeii continues today, with new discoveries being made as recent as 2000.


Pompeii Visitor Information
Pompeii has been a popular tourist destination for over two centuries. This historic site was attracting almost 2.6 million visitors per year as of 2008, which made it one of the most popular tourist sites in Italy and all of Europe. You can walk to the ruins from the Circumvesuviana train stop, and there are also car parks nearby.
Adult Tickets are €11 with no special pricing unless you are under 26 and a citizen of the EU (proof is required). You can buy a five-site pass for €20 that includes Pompeii and nearby Herculaneum and is valid for 3 days. You can get in free or half price with the “Campaina Arte Card.” Pompeii is open daily from 8:30 to 7:30 during summer months and from 8:30 to 5:00 November to March. You can find more information by calling 081-857-5347. The last ticket is sold 90 minutes before closing time.

You can only walk when entering the site. Be aware that the old roman stone roads can be very exhausting to walk, especially in the middle of the summer heat with a good number of other tourists around. Cobblestones roads and uneven ground are the norm here. Make sure to bring plenty of water, especially in the summer. Tourists are advised to wear stable shoes, wear sunscreen, and bring a hat. Plan at least an entire day trip for visiting Pompeii.

Most popular sites in and around Pompeii
Pompeii was preserved almost perfectly for nearly 1800 years under layers of ash, stone, and lava, so many of the sites are some of the best preserved in the world. You will notice the remains of an entire city, including:
-large homes
-a forum and public marketplace
-a 5000 seat theatre built in the hollow of a hill for better acoustics
-an ancient brothel with pornographic frescoes
-a temple with an altar and a basilica that served as a courthouse
-bars and bakeries with ovens that have a similar look to a brick oven

In addition to Pompeii, there are other sites nearby you may want to visit:
-the National Museum in Naples has some of the best preserved mosaics and other items found in Pompeii
-you can visit the sister site of Pompeii, Herfulaneum, which was also destroyed during the eruption
-the Garden of the Fugitives has plaster casts of victims on display
-the Villa of Mysteries is a house that is preserved that gives a great portrayal of life in ancient times

Pompeii Conservation Efforts
Excavation of Pompeii has brought with it deterioration. Erosion, water damage, weather and human activity (whether accidental or deliberate) have both played their part in the slow disintegration of the area. Unfortunately, the materials used in reconstruction during the 1980s were mostly concrete and steel, though in later years, these have been replaced with more modern materials which are more sympathetic to the original work at the site. However, the damage has already been done in most places and the replacement endeavours will take many more years to complete.

The Colosseum is also a marvel of modernity. The Romans invented tickets and assigned seating in this arena. Before each game, visitors would pick up a ticket that would have a number corresponding to one of the 79 entrance arches. The ticket also had a level and a seat number where the person would sit.

When the Colosseum was completed in 80 AD, it could hold more than 50,000 people. Its opening was celebrated with 100 days of games in which thousands of animals and gladiators were killed. Sometimes they would even flood the Colosseum to stage small naval battles. The emperor had his own entrance and from his private “box seat” he decided the fate of defeated gladiators with a thumbs up or down (like in the movie). The floor of the Colosseum was wood covered with sand. Beneath the floor, there was a maze of passageways for people, and temporary holding pens for the animals. A hand-operated crank was used to raise the animals from the basement up to the surface. The walls of the subterranean passageways can still be seen today when you visit the site.

The Colosseum was used for almost 400 years, and has survived earthquakes, years of neglect, and the pillaging of popes who took marble for their own buildings. It has only been preserved in the last century.

Colosseum Visitor Information
The Colosseum is open every day of the week. A full ticket costs €15.50 while a EU reduced ticket – €10.50 (only for European citizens aged between 18 and 25) and EU minors seniors ticket- €4.50 (only for EU citizens aged above 65 and under 18). The Rome archaeological card is also valid at the Colosseum. Moreover, you can also buy a joint ticket for a tour of Palatine hill, a worthwhile site where the old elite used to live.

The Colosseum is open until 4pm. However it has later hours during the summer months because of the increased number of tourists. You can also sign up for special tours that will take you to some areas underneath the Colosseum. Summer peak season see longer wait times- make sure you get there early to avoid most of the crowds. You can also hire guides outside the site. If you are staying at one of the many luxury hotels in rome, they can organize tours for you.

Colosseum Conservation Effort
When restoration of the Colosseum began in 1995, only 15 percent of the Colosseum was open to visitors. Now, up to 85% of the site is open to tourists. The Colosseum is constantly being renovated and cataloged. However, as with a lot of historical sites in Italy, renovation is often slow due to politics and corruption. The Colosseum needs much more work than it gets and as projects begin to slow, the site begins to deteriorate. Moreover, the pollution around the city also destroys the site.