Saturday, July 30, 2016

Trip to Italy - Pompeii & Mt. Vesuvius

Pompeii

 Cameos common in Naples.

Pompeii was once a thriving, sophisticated Roman city near the coast of the Bay of Naples, before being buried by tons of ash and pumice from a major eruption of Mt. Vesuvius.
 Unique foliage on the walk to Pompeii.

 These next three pictures are of the Pompeii Gladiator arena and quarters...



 Pompeii streets and storefronts...
 

 Pompeii's version of standing bars.
 Lead pipes showing there was indoor plumbing.
 More evidence of pipes for running water.
 Pompeii's smaller back streets.
 Paved roads with reflectors.
 Our wonderful tour guide showing us the stepping stones and chariot wheel marks in the road.

 Boundary walls,
 and drinking fountains...
 still used today.
 Fancy buildings with multi-textured walls.
 Amphitheater with great acoustics for entertaining purposes.
Wealthy family's home address written on exterior of their home. 
Wealthy family's home with bright, colorful interior paint.
 Wealthy family's home with hole in pavement for tying up horses.
 Wealthy family's home with colorful exterior paint.
 Wealthy family's home with expensive dark paint colors.
Wealthy family's home with beautiful architecture, 
 unique designs,

 and multi-colored marbled floors.
Wealthy family's home with elaborate pools and saunas with indoor piping from hot springs. 
 Wealthy family's home with elaborate pool and sauna locker rooms.
Wealthy family's home with stairs leading to the 2nd floor.
 Wealthy family's home with beautiful courtyard,
 bath area,
 and home decor.
 Wealthy family dining room and basement.
 Servant bones found in the basement.
 Pompeii Brothel with various paintings not depicted on this site due to adult content (but very interesting).
  
 Exterior of some kind of doctors office or hospital due to the medical serpent insignia. 
 Igor Mitoraj's artwork displayed throughout Pompeii (just until 2017).




Mitoraj's Winged Icarus displayed in the Triangular Forum. 
 City center or Roman Forum...



City Center with marble streets. 
 Temple of Jupiter north end of Roman Forum with views of Mt. Vesuvius.
 Preservation of little boy,
 man,
 and dog.
  Various relics found among ruins.
 Our tour group and guide with the pink umbrella.
 The outskirts of Pompeii...



 Pompeii home remains with Mt. Vesuvius in background.

Mt. Vesuvius

 Mount Vesuvius is the active volcano that erupted in AD 79 burring the cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum, killing over 2,000 people. Vesuvius has erupted many times since, although none have been as large or destructive, with the most recent eruption occurring in 1944.

Panorama's of the Bay of Naples, and modern-day Pompeii...



 Panorama of inside Mt. Vesuvius' crater, where the steamy vapors of sulfur gas can still be seen.
 Most of the Mountain is accessible by car or bus, with a small walk (about an hour) to the top.
 Remains of volcanic ash.
 Amazing views from the summit...






 The volcanic ash line still visible.
Hiking back down the mountain.

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