PompeiViva!

On a warm summer's day in 79 AD Mount Vesuvius exploded spewing a cloud of ash, rock and toxic gas many kilometers into the air, which then rained down on Pompeii and entombed the city and 2,000 of its inhabitants.

On a warm summer's day almost 2,000 years later signore and I walked around the excavated streets and buildings of this once grand and prosperous Roman trading city.

Casts of the bodies of Pompeiians make it easy to be moved at the tragedy that resulted from the great shift of the tectonic plates, however I was also impressed by the slogan "PompeiViva". Pompeii Lives because we can walk around it and see and understand Roman life as it was. Pompeii Lives because vineyards and vegetable gardens have been planted throughout parts of this archialogical site, and Pompeii Lives because the huge amphitheatre is being restored so that it can be used again.  PompeiViva!

Pictures tell the tragic story of Pompeii better than words.

Pompeii street

The necropolis - many of the tombs along the street have Latin
inscriptions still visible.

The Garden of the Fugitives - tragic sight of victims overcome by
Vesuvio's fury.  These casts lie in an area that is now cultivated
as a vineyard.

One of the many thermopolia - an open space on the
roadside with a stone bench and spaces where terracotta  jars
would have been placed to store food in.  Food and drinks
were served to passers-by.  Pompeii café really.

Stucco ceiling and sculptures of the baths.

One of the frescoes at the Lupanare (the brothel).

The Forum I

The Forum II - these are the monumental bases for large
commemorative statues.  The statues have never been found.

Roman road signs.....two stones means one-way traffic.

Four stones means two-way traffic. Very clever because the stones
also served so that pedestrians could cross the road without getting wet.

Porta Nocera dates from the 4th century BC.  It stands at the
 beginning of the road that leads to the city



Cave Canem - beware of the dog! The beautiful mosaic at
The House of the Tragic Poet.

Another of the thermopolia -  'snack bars' or cafes of Pompeii.

The columns of the large atrium villas.

Pompeii Lives!

Our day at Pompeii was fascinating - such a special place and amazing to see the current excavations. Mount Vesuvius didn't reveal itself that day, its active cone was shrouded in cloud.  Funny, because the destruction it caused thousands of years ago was clear to see. PompeiViva!