Vesuvius, Italy’s most famous volcano and one of the most dangerous in the world, is best known for the devastating eruption in 79 AD that destroyed Pompeii and Herculaneum. An active volcano that has become an undisputed symbol of Naples for all because of its marvelous view of the Gulf of the city of the same name. It is also known by many as Mount Vesuvius because of its history related to the destruction of the city of Pompeii.
A volcano that has attracted the curiosity of so many tourists for years, it has now become a favorite destination for those visiting Pompeii and Naples. Everyone is curious about the history, myths, and legends related to Vesuvius. So many inquire and read up on the details of this sleeping giant.
But yet there are many lesser-known aspects of Vesuvius that make it even more fascinating. In this article I will list three interesting facts about Vesuvius that you probably did not know. For example, that it is not a solitary volcano in Campania or the exact origin of its name or even that Vesuvius has a twin around the world.
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1. Vesuvius is not a Lonely Volcano
Yes, Vesuvius is not the only volcano in the Naples area. Perhaps you didn’t know this or have discovered it a few years ago, since the Phlegraean Fields attracted press and media attention because of the phenomenon related to bradyseism.
Yet Vesuvius has never been alone!!! This volcano extends next to a larger volcanic complex called the “Campi Flegrei System,” a vast caldera that lies beneath the Gulf of Naples. A highly active volcanic area, on par with Vesuvius, characterized by many volcanic vents, fumaroles and hot springs.
The last significant eruption of the Phlegraean Fields was in 1538, when Monte Nuovo was formed. This shows that the area around Vesuvius is one of the most geologically active and potentially dangerous in the world. But the two volcanic complexes are not linked, meaning that a possible eruption of the Phlegraean Fields will not result in the parallel eruption of Vesuvius and vice versa.
2. Origin of the Name Vesuvius
The origin of the name Vesuvius is actually very uncertain in nature; many consider it to be attributed by the demigod Hercules, whose name the city at the base of the volcano was named after. But there are various theories about the actual origin of the name Vesuvius:
- Greek origin: according to which, some scholars believe the name may derive from the Greek word “Οὐεσούιος” (Ouesoúios), which could mean “illuminated” or “brilliant.” This would recall the active volcano, which produces flames and light visible from afar.
- Indo-European origin: Another theory traces the name to the Indo-European root “ves-,” meaning “to burn” or “to shine,” a direct reference to its volcanic activity.
- Latin origin: Others suggest that the name may derive from “Vesuvius,” related to the Latin god Vulcan, the god of fire and forge. Or even from “Veh suis,” meaning “Woe to his own,” a term that would be linked to the misfortune-laden events that occurred in Naples and Campania, either before or after the eruption of Vesuvius. But in mythology, reference is also often made to the term “Vesuvinum,” probably associated with the god Bacchus, the god of drunkenness and wine, given also the presence of highly prized vineyards in the area.
3. Vesuvius’ twin
Another curiosity about Vesuvius that you most likely did not know is that Vesuvius has a twin. And it is located exactly in the city of Kagoshima in Japan. Its name? Sakurajima.
Its silhouette, which overhangs the Gulf of Kagoshima, is strikingly reminiscent of Mount Vesuvius. But that is not the only feature that unites the two cities. In fact, apparently the Japanese city’s mild climate is reminiscent of that of Naples, so much so that it is called the Naples of Japan. Sakurajima is also an active volcano and is remembered for one of the most powerful eruptions ever. That occurred in 1914 when it buried the surrounding villages in lava.
The eruption was so powerful that the river of lava that flowed out joined the volcano to the mainland.
Volcanic activity continues to this day with columns of ash up to 5,000 meters being emitted and spilling over the town of Kagoshima, with the last eruption occurring in July 2024.
Precisely because of their similar characteristics of the two volcanoes, the cities of Kagoshima and Naples have been twinned since the 1960s.
In fact, streets dedicated to this twinning can be found in the two cities. While in Naples there are Via Kagoshima and Largo Kagoshima. In Japan there is a large tree-lined avenue called Napoli dōri.
