Herculaneum (1)

Pompeii is the more famous but we found Herculaneum more impressive. Apparently the volcanic ash that covered the town after the eruption of Vesuvius in AD 79 carbonised and left structures and household objects more intact.

Our view on arrival...

...and a video clip too.

The remains of a boat, discovered in 1982

The bodies of 300 Herculaneuns were found in these shelters, trying to escape the volcanic flow.

You can just make out the arches here. This used to be the waterfront, now pushed several kilometres out to sea by the volcanic debris.

A few photos taken whilst wandering around the town. The building above is in more modern day Ercolano.

Probably a food take-away

And now for something completely different!

We were very amused by the 'indifferent' rubbish bin.

National Archaeological Museum, Naples (2)

More photos from our visit to the museum.

Tine reading about Fighting Augustus, Claudius, Titus and Seated Augustus

Marcus Nonius Balbus on horseback

Tine with an armless Jupiter Capitolinus

A sarcophagus depicting the creation of humankind by Prometheus, the god of fire

Urania, the muse of astronomy

Thanks to Google for help naming these statues!

Walking back to the station, the weather had improved

One of the main gates to the ancient city: Porta Capuana

Graffiti on trains is pretty global...

...even if graffiti is an Italian word!

Back in Sant'Agnello here's a view on our way to get some grub!

National Archaeological Museum, Naples (1)

A dull and wet day helped us to decide on a visit to the museum in Naples.

An imposing staircase at the far end of the main hall...

...but don't forget to look up.

What amazing workmanship!

A few examples of findings in Pompeii

This floor mosaic was almost intact...

...plus alcoves...

...and columns

Meet Terentius Neo and his wife, ordinary bakers in Pompeii. You feel you'd recognise them if you bumped into them!

Sorrento

Wanting a more local day we walked into Sorrento and loved the place, with its bustling streets and a surprise too!

Some streets were busier than others

The cathedral...

...and three wise monkeys having a rest in its grounds.

Looking down to the crypt of the Basilica di Sant'Antonino...

...with its curious medallions...

...each representing someone's ailment to be prayed for.

The marble work was exquisite

Here's the surprise: just a few steps from the town centre there's a deep chasm...

...containing an old wheat mill, originally from the 13th century but long since abandoned.

However wherever you go it's hard to escape the mighty Vesuvius, today shrouded in cloud.

Pompeii (Part Two)

The site is huge: 163 acres (66 hectares) and it was a hot day so you can imagine how tired we got!

The forum, a huge rectangular meeting place...

...with a fairly recent statue of a centaur...

...and many of the old columns.

A little video. Notice the crowds, and can you spot Tine?

Faded wall art...

...intricate floor mosaics...

...and more beautiful frescoes.

The amphitheatre, built in 70 BC...

...which could hold 20,000 spectators. Pink Floyd played a concert there in 1972 but without an audience!

The most moving displays show casts of many of the victims

Finally this video is taken from ground level once the city was covered in ash. There's still about a third of the city to be excavated!