The city's water supply was gravity-fed through a complex system of lead pipes from the Serino aqueduct.
Cast casts of victims were created by filling the voids left by decomposed bodies in the ash layers with plaster.
Ancient election campaign slogans, known as dipinti, are still visible on many exterior walls.
The House of the Faun contains one of the largest and most famous mosaics ever found, the Alexander Mosaic.
Public toilets in the city used a constant stream of running water, an early form of sanitation infrastructure.
The amphitheater, built in 70 BC, is one of the oldest surviving stone amphitheaters in the Roman world.
Many gardens have been replanted with species identified through pollen analysis of the original soil.
The city featured specialized shops, known as thermopolia, which functioned as ancient fast-food counters.
The Archaeological Park of Pompeii is an extensive Roman urban site frozen in time by the 79 AD eruption of Mount Vesuvius. The volcanic ash and pumice created a unique anaerobic environment that preserved organic materials, frescoes, and multi-story structures. Excavations cover approximately 44 hectares of the total 66-hectare site, including residential houses, public baths, and a large forum. Visitors can observe original mosaics, street-level shops, and the ruts worn into basalt stone roads by ancient cart wheels. The site serves as a primary archaeological resource for understanding daily Roman social, economic, and domestic life. Ongoing research and stabilization projects continue to reveal new sectors, such as the Regio V excavations. The park functions as an open-air museum where the ancient street grid remains largely intact.
The view of the Temple of Apollo with Mount Vesuvius looming directly in the background.
Download the official offline map to navigate the vast, maze-like street grid effectively.
Carry a refillable water bottle, as the original stone fountains have been restored and provide potable water throughout the site.
Enter through the Piazza Anfiteatro gate to avoid the longest queues at the main entrance.
Do not attempt to walk the entire site in a single day; choose a specific route or region to ensure a manageable visit.
The site is typically closed on certain major public holidays; check for periodic partial closures of specific houses due to restoration work.
Wear comfortable, closed-toe walking shoes due to uneven volcanic stone paths; do not sit or climb on ancient walls.
