Archaeological Areas of Pompei, Herculaneum and Torre Annunziata

World Heritage

Italy

🎧 Listen to Introduction

On 24 August 79 AD, Mount Vesuvius erupted, engulfing the two prosperous Roman towns of Pompeii and Herculaneum, as well as many of the region’s wealthy villas. Since the mid-18th century, these villas have been gradually excavated and opened to the public. The vast expanse of the commercial town of Pompeii contrasts with the smaller but better preserved remains of the resort of Herculaneum, while the exquisite frescoes of the Villa Oplontis in Torre Annunziata provide a vivid picture of the lavish lifestyles of the wealthy citizens of the early Roman Empire.

# Roman Town

# Herculaneum

# Archaeological Area

# Mount Vesuvius

# Villa Oplontis