Pompeii

In 79 AD Vesuvius erupted and engulfed the city of Pompeii.  It's amazing to walk around the streets of Pompeii and see the well preserved houses, baths, bakery and other public buildings.

The Forum was the market place and the focus for important functions and events.

Plaster cast has been used to recreate some of the citizens of Pompeii who were suffocated by the toxic fumes.

This is of a woman and you can see the agony she suffered as she failed to escape in time.

Visitors are free to wander around the streets of Pompeii and enter the various buildings.

The House of the Tragic Poet is very well preserved and belonged to a wealthy merchant.

One of the largest private dwellings close to the baths is the House of the Faun, named after the bronze statue of a dancing faun in front of the house.

Belonging to the house is a large ornamental garden courtyard surrounded by columns.  It was an ideal spot to have a short rest under the shady trees.

Vesuvius

In the afternoon we visited Mount Vesuvius.

Vesuvius towers over the Bay of Naples and its surroundings including Pompeii.

We decided to climb to the top of this still active volcano.

The path zigzags upwards offering some fascinating views into the depths of the crater 200 metres below..

Most of the slopes are completely barren, however some vegetation does grow due to the fertile conditions.

See the photos from our holiday on the Amalfi coast, where we visited Amalfi and Positano

See photos from other holidays we have been on recently.