Famous for the catastrophic eruption in 79 AD that destroyed Pompeii, Herculaneum and other Vesuvian cities, Vesuvius has always attracted the curiosity of many tourists.
Not only because it is the most dangerous active volcano in Italy, but also because of the myths and legends related to its history.
Vesuvius, whose name is derived from Vesevius a word of Indo-European origin, is located in Campania.
In Roman times it was a verdant and harmless mountain, so much so that it was referred to by the Latins, as Iuppiter Vesuvius, Iuppiter Sommanus. Whose name they would link it to the divine Zeus and Mount Olympus.
It became world famous for its sudden and deadly eruption in 79 A.D., and represents the symbol of Naples, Pompeii and all Neapolitans.
But the history of Vesuvius has always been shrouded in mystery and fascination since ancient times.
Its imposing silhouette and its history associated with catastrophic eruptions have fueled numerous myths and legends that have been passed down through the centuries.
Myths and legends of hate, love and spite.
The myth of the destruction of Pompeii and Herculaneum
One of the most famous myths concerns precisely the eruption of 79 A.D., which destroyed the Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum. According to legend, the god Vulcan (also known as Hephaestus in Greek mythology) the lord of fire and volcanoes, was furious with the inhabitants of these cities for their immoral actions.
So to punish them, he unleashed the wrath of Vesuvius, causing the volcano to erupt and bury the cities below under a blanket of ash and lava.
This legend reflects the ancient belief that natural disasters were the result of the wrath of the gods. That in order to punish the actions of humans, they would hurl themselves catastrophically against them.
The Legend of the Evil Monk
Not to mention the legend related to an evil and cruel monk who went to Mount Vesuvius to ask for a ruthless plan of his to be fulfilled. But Vesuvius, outraged by the monk’s request, instead of granting his prayer began to spit fire, sending a horse with burning eyes down into the valley.
The horse chased the evil monk and with a blow of his hoof, struck him, sending him into an abyss of fire and flames.
That spot is now known as the Atrium of the Horse and the chasm is called the Monk’s Pit.
How Vesuvius and Capri were born, according to legend
Vesuvius, however, has so fueled the imagination of numerous writers that the latter have created real love stories about it. Such is the case with the legend written and told by Matilde Serao. Which tells the story of an impossible love between the boy Vesuvius with a fiery and hot-tempered character and a beautiful girl named Capri, who, on the contrary, was sweet and quiet.
The two young people met and fell in love with each other, Capri succeeded with her calm temper to appease Vesuvius’ wrath. But Capri’s family as soon as they learned of the relationship objected.
Capri was boarded on a ship bound for a place far from Vesuvius, but the maiden in desperation threw herself into the waves, finding death. And it was at that very spot that the famous island emerged, which from a distance has the profile of a woman’s face.
Vesuvius, on the other hand, as soon as he learned of Capri’s death began to weep fiery tears, and anger caused him to turn into a volcano, within which the fire of love for his beloved still simmers.
Since then Vesuvius and Capri have lived opposite each other without having the chance to touch, but looking at each other with infinite sweetness and love.
Lacrima Christi and the legend of the Angel Lucifer
But the legends about Vesuvius do not end. There are endless ones, such as the birth on the very slopes of the volcano of a prized vineyard that produces a precious and beloved wine, lacryma Christi. It is said that the birth of the famous red wine is linked to Lucifer. The most beautiful angel in heaven, who was cast out by Christ for his disobedience.
The latter out of spite stole a piece of paradise and falling into the underworld formed a chasm from which Vesuvius was born. Christ when he realized the theft recognized in the beautiful Bay of Naples his lost paradise. And began to shed tears of blood that flowed down the slopes of Vesuvius, giving birth to the prized Lacryma Christi wine.
In short, the fiery, frightening, destructive nature of the world’s most famous volcano has always attracted everyone’s curiosity. Even of the writers themselves who have built there stories and legends related to the devastating power of this most powerful volcano.
