Naples, Italy

Tuesday, April 12 – Naples, Italy

Along the waterfront, we walked to the train station and took the Circumvesuviana train to Ercalano to visit the ruins of Herculaneum. These have been on my list of a long time and it was time for a visit! We were pleasantly surprised to find FREE ENTRY. We did rent the audio phones but they really are not needed as there is enough of a description on the homes. As you enter from the town, you cross a high bridge and below you is the town. About 5000 people lived here when it was destroyed in AD79. The town was buried under a tide of volcanic mud and this semi-liquid mass seeped into the crevices and niches of every building covering household objects and enveloping textiles and wood – SEALING IT ALL IN A COMPACT, AIRTIGHT TOMB. These are complete streets with curbing and complete houses with walls and mosaic floors and jugs for their “fast food” wine bars. Even some wooden objects remain from 79AD, when Vesuvius erupted. Some stairs and (actual) bread and shelving units of wood – can you imagine them surviving over 2000 years???

Casual excavation began in the 18th century b ut systematic digs were not initiated until the 1920s. These sites are better preserved than Pompeii. They even found 1,800 carbonized papyrus scrolls. It was a beautiful day to explore with a warm sun and slight breeze – in and out of buildings and photos and a picnic lunch.

Back on the train and to the ship to meet some Italian friends for dinner on the ship! It was their first visit to a large US ship so we toured and the enjoyed a nice meal. A great Italian lesson for me – we managed OK with my Spanish and Italian combo-language.