Pompei

Pompeii is one of the most significant proofs of Roman civilization and, like an open book, provides outstanding information on the art, customs, trades and everyday life of the past. The city has re-emerged from the darkness of centuries precisely as it would have been when it was unexpectedly buried in the thick layer of ash and lava which poured down from the devastating eruption of Vesuvius.

Studies and research in Pompeii.

Pompeii contains two different worlds: the remains of one of the richest towns of Roman Empire and the Christian spirituality that attracts every year many pilgrims to the Sanctuary dedicated to Our Lady of the Rosary. Pagan and Christian worlds coexist at a very short distance: they are however very different in ideals and aspirations.

It is my opinion that Pompeii is the most important archeological site anywhere. Almost every other ancient urban site is simply the remains of a ghost town, long ago deserted by its citizens who carried away with them everything of value. Prior to the eruption of Vesuvius, Pompeii was a thriving city. Then it was buried with so little warning in 79 A.D. that Pompeii was literally frozen in time.

Parco Nazionale del Vesuvio, of great geological and historical interest, has been established in order to safeguard the values of the territory, use suitable means to allow a correct integration between man and environment, promote environmental education and scientific research activities. The Park was also born from the need to defend the most famous volcano in the world: Vesuvius, a typical example of fence volcano consisting of an external truncated cone, the extinct Mt. Somma, with a crateric perimeter which has been mainly destroyed and in which there is a smaller cone represented by Vesuvius, which is still active.

Herculaneum, once called Heracleia, is an ancient town lying 5 miles (8 Km) southest of Naples, South Italy, on the western slopes of Mount Vesuvius. It is undoubtedly one of the most fascinating town of the Naples area because it is not only famous as an important archeological site, but also as a lively town which offers a variety of beautiful scenery and unvaluable arts. Apart from a visit to the ruins and the Volcano, it is worth visiting the Vesuvian Villas, such as Villa Campolieto, Villa Signorini, Villa Ruggiero, Villa Favorita, the Second-hand Market, the medieval Pugliano Church and the Astronomic Observatory which has now become a Museum.