The VESUVIUS

A "MUST" step before or after visiting Pompeii

DIRECTIONS:
By Car

On the Napoli's Tangenziale you will pass exits such as Agnano, Fuorigrotta, Arenella....etc.
At the end of the Tangenziale you will be required to pay a toll.
Continue past the toll booth, passing the Capodichino airport exit.
Here the road splits into two Autostradas.
Autostrada A-l to Roma (North) and Autostrada A-3 to Salerno (South).
Take Autostrada-A-3 towards Salerno, passing exit to Ercolano.
Exit at Pompei Scavi (Ruins).
Follow signs to Vesuvio. This road will take you all the way.By trainTake the Circumvesuviana train from Naples, Piazza Garibaldi, towards Sorrento, getting off at Pompei V.M. (Villa dei Misteri).
From here, take the bus marked Vesuvio that will take you all the way.

A LITTLE HISTORY

Mount Vesuvius, alias "terror and pride of Naples", situated 12 Km Southeast of Naples, on the most familiar feature in the Neapolitan landcape, is one of the smallest active volcanoes in the world (1277 meters; 1202 meters before 1944), but certainty the most famous.
Mount Vesuvius is the only active volcano in the continent of Europe. Within the volcano is an enormous crater, broken on the West, called the "Atrio del Cavallo" (The Horse's Atrium) and "Vaile dell'Inferno" (Valley of Hell).Before 79 A-D. the lower slopes of the Vesuvius were planted with vineyards above which was a thick belt of woods noted for their wild boars.
In 63 A-D. a violent earthquake caused serious damage in Pompei, Hercolaneum and Naples. This was followed by other shocks, but in 79 A-D. the central cone of Vesuvius blew out and while Pompeii and Stabiae were buried with ashes, lapillos, or small stones, Hercolaneum instead was drowned in a torrent of mud. The eruption is vividly described in two letters from younger Plinio to Tacitus.
For the next 1550 years only nine unimportant eruptions are recorded and, after a period of absolute quiescence set in, the mountain was again cultivated and the crater covered with trees; but on 16 December 1631 came a violent eruption which destroyed nearly all the towns at the foot of the mountain. The lava reached the sea near Portici and killed over 3000 people.
During the next 300 years there were 23 recorded eruptions at intervals from 1 to 30 years. With the eruption of March 1944 the whole shape of the crater was altered, the little inner cone disappeared, and in the following months the main fissure closed.
Since 1944, the last time there was an eruption, the crater lost its plume of smoke, and only a few occasional "fumarole" (fumes) give warning that Vesuvius is still active. An observatory, equipped with seismic apparatus and meteorologic instruments is constantly monitoring any inside-the-earth movement.Mount Vesuvius can be reached by car up to the "Punto Ristoro" where parking space is provided. A dusty path will bring you up to the crater where any movement is strictly supervised by the local official guide. Comfortable, flat walking shoes are recommended. (approx. 45 mm, walk uphill).Open to the public: Daily from 09:00 until one hour before sunset.Please note: In case of bad weather or strong winds, Mount Vesuvius may be closed to the public.

Bargain: