Are you short on time and wondering which is better to visit Pompeii or Herculaneum? Or are you simply curious about the differences between both.
Here in our guide, you can find the answer to your question and satisfy your curiosity.
The size of Pompeii and Herculaneum
First of all, as everyone already knows, the major difference between Pompeii and Herculaneum is size. Pompeii covers an area of 440,000 m², and you probably would not need a full day to really visit it all. Although you can equally take a 2 or 3-hour city tour, where you will admire only the main sites of Pompeii.
In contrast Herculaneum is considerably smaller in size, you would need at least 2 to 3 hours to visit it in every detail.
But I recommend that you do this together with a tour guide, as Herculaneum though small is a jewel that you can only really discover with the stories of those who know it perfectly well.
The buildings
In Herculaneum unlike Pompeii, it is possible to see the upper floors of many buildings. This is basically due to the different dynamics of the eruption that struck both ancient cities. Pompeii, in fact, was hit already in the morning by a very thick rain of ash and lapilli, which caused the upper floors of most of the houses to collapse. And later it was hit by a pyroclastic cloud.
Herculaneum, on the other hand, was overwhelmed first by the violent pyroclastic cloud, with temperatures reaching 400°, and then by a mudslide that buried the city about 20 m.
The furnishings
The different dynamics of the eruption also affected the preservation of the materials found in Pompeii and Herculaneum. In fact, in Herculaneum it is possible to admire doors, windows, cabinets, tables, beds, and chests, all charred by the extremely high temperatures of the pyroclastic cloud and perfectly preserved.
In Pompeii, on the other hand, there are fewer wooden artifacts found there than in Herculaneum.
The remains of the inhabitants
Another major difference concerns the discovery of the bodies of the inhabitants of the two ancient cities. In Pompeii, the remains of numerous inhabitants were found buried by the pyroclastic blanket, exactly in the position they were in when they were swept away. These bodies were, subsequently, reconstructed by the cast method. Today, it is possible to admire them in the shrine of the Garden of the Fugitives.
Instead, in Herculaneum, only the skeletons are preserved, contained in the fornices in front of the old Herculaneum beach.
So as you may have gathered, the differences between Pompeii and Herculaneum are many. Herculaneum because of the dynamics of the eruption is in an excellent state of preservation, the houses, the furnishings are all perfectly preserved. In contrast, Pompeii is vast and full of elements to admire, including the largest and oldest amphitheater in ancient Roman history. For us to advise you whether to choose Pompeii or Herculaneum is difficult. If you have time on your hands, we recommend visiting both.
If not, you can start with the short visit to Pompeii and return later to admire the two most beautiful archaeological sites in history together.
Discover the best of Pompeii or Herculaneum with the best guides
Here in our guidebook, we have selected the best tours, with experienced, trained and punctual guides to give you a truly unique experience.
You can choose, also, to take a tour of Pompeii, of about 2 hours, where the guide will take you to discover the main places of the ancient city. Or take the full tour of the city . Or if you don’t lack time you can also choose the tour that allows you to visit both.
The choice will be up to you alone. Here with us, you can feel free to really select what you prefer.
