Covering 440,000 m², the Pompeii Excavations are one of the largest archaeological sites in the world.
Accidentally discovered in 1748, after a very powerful eruption of Vesuvius destroyed and completely buried Pompeii.
It was exactly October 24, 79 A.D., on that day Pompeiians were going about their daily activities normally, when suddenly Vesuvius began to erupt. Ash and lapilli covered the houses and streets of Pompeii, with more than 3 meters of volcanic material. Next came the very powerful pyroclastic flow (gas, water vapor at very high temperatures). That instantly carbonized those who survived the falling lapilli and preserved the city under a blanket of volcanic material for centuries
Pompeii in 4 days was completely submerged and remained buried until 1748. When the first archaeological excavations were carried out that unearthed the first remains of the ancient city.
A history that of Pompeii 2000 years old that thrills and excites the many tourists who find themselves visiting this enormous heritage site every day.
A huge site, divided into nine regio, with 3 different entrances. One at Piazza Anfiteatro, another at Porta Marina Inferiore and the other at Porta Marina Superiore.
For those visiting this site for the first time, the most common question is which entrance to choose to see the Archaeological Park.
The choice basically depends on how much time you have and what you intend to see.
Pompeii is a wonderful site; whichever entrance you choose you will return home with a piece of ancient Pompeii history, but also with the knowledge that you have not seen it all.
There are definitely certain places you will want to see more than others. So if you do not want to make the mistake of choosing the wrong entrance and not having time to visit the much-desired place, follow our guidebook.
Or book a guided tour with an experienced tour guide who will lead you to discover the ancient city of Pompeii.
Here we will point out the main places you can see depending on the entrance you choose.
Entrance Amphitheater Square
The entrance to Piazza Anfiteatro is the only possible route for those visiting Pompeii with disabled individuals. In fact, special walkways have been built here to allow wheelchairs to pass through.
Through this entrance, in addition to the amphitheater, it is possible to see the Palestra Grande. Which currently houses a real museum with display cases containing all the edible materials found during excavations: charred bread, nuts, seeds, as well as ancient pots used for soups.
But not only near the amphitheater is the famous garden of the fugitives, in which the bodies of 13 victims of the eruption of Vesuvius were found, reconstructed thanks to the method of casts.
Behind the famous Amphitheater one can also admire the beautiful praedia house of Giulia Felice, a large villa belonging precisely to Giulia Felice. It consists of a huge garden, as well as several banquet halls and a private spa complex.
One can admire the renowned Via dell’Abbondanza on which most of the stores overlooked. Such as the spectacular Stephanus fullonica from the paintings with the vivid and sharp colors, and several thermopolos found in the city.
As well as some of the most beautiful houses in Pompeii, among them the house of Menander, the house of the cryptoporticus. And the house of the Nave Europa, in which the millstone used 2000 years ago for pressing olives is still wonderfully present.
A route the one described that seems short, but actually requires at least two hours of visiting. The numerous narrow alleys that make up the Regio of Pompeii will very often make you lose your bearings and you will lose a lot of time before you find your way again.
Lower Sea Gate Entrance
The entrance of Porta Marina Inferiore, is one of the main entrances to the Pompeii Ruins located near Piazza Esedra.
It is mostly used for group visits, but is also chosen by couples and families because of its proximity to the highway exit and the presence of numerous parking lots.
The Lower Marina Gate entrance, like the other entrances, has free luggage storage.
Using this entrance you will undoubtedly be able to admire the most famous, best known and popular sites of ancient Pompeii. The places for which this ancient city became famous.
Here are concentrated the most important findings related to the sacred and secular part of Pompeii. But also the public part where the ancient inhabitants gathered for their events, elections and performances.
So for example you will find the Great Theater, the Little Theater, the quadriporticus of the theaters, the temple of Isis, the Stabian baths, the lupanare, the forum, the sanctuary of Apollo, of Jupiter, the Granaries of the Forum, the Basilica, the house of the vettii, the house of the faun.
Again it takes more than two hours to visit this part of the city; this area has the highest concentration of houses found in Pompeii. So you will take quite some time to find your point of interest.
If you do not want to risk missing it, I recommend taking a guided tour. In two hours you will visit all the main places in Pompeii, and if you have special preferences the guide will lead you to the desired place.
Upper Sea Gate Entrance
The last entrance is at the upper Porta Marina, which is opposite the Villa dei Misteri station in Pompeii, so it is ideal for those reaching Pompeii by circumvesuviana train. There is free luggage storage here as well.
This is the right entrance for those who want to visit the spectacular Villa of the Mysteries; this villa is located outside the walls of Pompeii, so through this entrance the villa is easily accessible.
Although we recommend visiting the lower part of the ancient city first and then going back up to the Villa of the Mysteries. So as to avoid having to go back again later to visit the rest of the Excavations.
The entrance to Porta Marina Superiore also allows a visit to the Antiquarium of Pompeii where many artifacts recovered during excavations carried out in the ancient city are contained.
In addition, as with the Lower Marine Gate entrance, one can visit the main sites that made Pompeii’s history. The two places are in fact very close to each other.
Thus the Basilica, the Forum, the Temple of Isis, the granaries of the Forum, the House of the Faun, the House of the Tragic Poet, the Great Theater, the Small Theater, etc.
The choice in this case to choose one over the other is related to issues of convenience, thus parking, lodging, or the means used to reach Pompeii.
If you would like to visit Pompeii with an experienced tour guide, we recommend that you send a request by clicking on the following link VISIT POMPEII WITH GUIDE
