A Day at Pompeii

What is it about archeological sites that sparks the imagination? Indiana Jones comes to mind. People have always had a fascination with visiting ancient places. Petra is at the top of my bucket list, and the feeling of standing at Macchi Picchu still resonates. But I think what makes archeological sites so intriguing is stepping into a world that is so far removed from modern day civilizations that it forces you to imagine what life would have been like so long ago.  History books can be distorted at times based on a person’s perception or experience, but structures tell a story in themselves. 

Walking through Pompeii in a day is an insurmountable task in itself. There are streets after streets that you can wander up and down. If you visit, plan to take time to wander the streets. From end to end, it is quite the trek even for the nimble though. You can also easily get turned around if you’re not paying attention. 

As many people know, Pompeii was once a thriving Roman city destroyed and preserved by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. Buried under ash and pumice, the city remains a time capsule, offering an glimpse into ancient Roman life. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Archaeological Park of Pompeii allows visitors to explore well-preserved streets, homes, temples, and public buildings.

We started the day at the Piazza Antifeatro entrance to try to avoid the crowds. There is zero cell reception at the entrance to the park so come prepared with tickets downloaded on your phone if you purchase tickets online. Otherwise, you’ll have to wait in a long line or exit the park to find wifi.

After going through the ticket checkpoint, the colosseum is immediately off to the right. The staff do reenactments of different parts of life during that time, which we weren’t expecting.

There are also large beautiful villas to walk through with curated murals and long streets running the length of Pompeii. 

On the other side of the park is a sweeping view of Mt. Vesuvius in front of the alter. There is also a cafe and bathroom to take a break up on the hill. 

Places like Pompeii make me wish Atlas was just a little bit older so he could understand the wonder of the place. However, still, the day in Pompeii served as a new kind of playground (albeit in the stroller most of the time). He explored the houses and skipped from one “lava” rock to the next.

We ended the day at the gift shop and went through the museum exhibits at the main entrance to the park. We then had to make the long trek back to the entrance where we started, passing through the theater.

Could we have seen more without a 4 year old in tow? Sure. But even for us, it was a long day of walking.

Is it worth visiting Pompeii? Absolutely! If you love that kind of thing. For me, it calls to my archeological spirit and maybe just for a moment, I feel like Indiana Jones

For a real time view of Pompeii, check out the video.

Interested in other sites around the world? Check out some of these posts!

Machu Picchu – The Lost City

Park Beat – Mesa Verde National Park