Named after the Greek hero Hercules, Herculaneum was a small yet prominent town in Campania, located 8km from the present day Naples. Due to its excellent location and pleasant climate, it became a luxurious getaway and holiday retreat for the rich landowners. During the autumn of 79 AD, the cataclysmic eruption of Mt. Vesuvius destroyed Herculaneum along with the neighbouring towns of Pompeii, Oplontis and Stabiae. The town was hit with volcanic gas at 400 degrees, which happens to be the perfect temperature for carbonizing organic materials and perfectly preserving them for over 2 millennia. This, along with the 25 metres of mud that sealed and protected the site meant that statues, shops, wood, food, textiles and human remains were preserved.

Herculaneum: discovering Italy’s extraordinary, buried city

The ruins of Herculaneum, lesser known but just as extraordinary as Pompeii, are some of Italy's most fascinating ruins. In this article we will explore this ancient Roman city, buried by the eruption of Vesuvius, perfectly preserved over time, offering a unique insight into daily life in antiquity.

The discovery of the ruins of Herculaneum

The ruins of Herculaneum were discovered completely by accident. In 1707, while a well was being dug, by order of the Prince of Lorraine, several marble statues and ornaments were unearthed. Years later in 1738 work began again to uncover more treasures, until 1755 when the Accademia Ercolanese was established, to focus solely on studying and preserving the finds at the site as well as those at Pompeii. It wasn’t until the 1980’s that important artefacts were discovered such as the Temple of Venus, the ancient Greek port, and the baths. Intense excavation until the 2000’s has revealed many more interesting artifacts around the Villa of the Papyrus. 

The most fascinating preserved sites

Although an exploration of the whole city is a fascinating experience, including the House of the Beautiful courtyard, the Large Taberna and the House of Neptune and Amphitrite, here we delve into some of the best preserved artefacts within the city.

Fornici

The fascinating port warehouses where a nine metre long Roman ship was discovered with 300 perfectly preserved skeletons along with their personal belongings was discovered.

Men’s baths

Dating back to the 1st century BC, these baths are excellently preserved, you can walk through each room, with beautiful black and white mosaics displaying Triton.

Halls of Augustals

A square and imposing structure that was dedicated to the cult of the Emperor Augustus, complete with colourful frescoes, columns and arches.

Samnite House

With its beautiful Greek style atrium and marble rainwater pool, this magnificent building is one of the oldest in the city dating back to the 2nd century BC.

House of the Wooden partition

Its name comes from the wooden folding door that separates the atrium from the rest of the home, perfectly preserved and complete with brass handles.

House of Relief of Telephus

A three story home built between 27BC and 14AD that is decorated with several sculptures, including a relief depicting Telephus, son of Hercules.

Visiting Herculaneum

It is possible to visit Herculaneum in just a few hours, so it makes the ideal stop for those visitors with limited time but who are keen to experience the thrill of walking in the footsteps of the ancient Romans. The archaeological site can be explored in half a day and the most important buildings can be seen in 2-3 hours. The opening times of the site vary seasonally so visitors should check before arriving. Visitors can choose to sign up for a tour of the site, either with a group or privately, where you can learn the details of this fascinating place. Alternatively, visitors can enter solo and explore at their own leisure.

Personal Shopper at Fiumicino airport

During your journey to Herculaneum, your departure from area E of Rome Fiumicino airport can turn into a moment of pleasure: the Personal Shopper Service offers you a personalised shopping experience, perfect for completing your itinerary and adding a touch of class to your trip.

Art at Fiumicino airport

Rome airport isn’t simply a point of arrival and departure, it is a space that showcases Italian culture and art and a stage for promoting upcoming artists. Passengers can admire impressive works of art outside the departure area in Terminal 1, such as ‘Getto di Luce’ by Helidon Xhixha; ‘Master of Mistakes’ by Daniele Sigalot as well as three prestigious stained glass windows attributed to Goitto.

A visit to Herculaneum, with its incredibly well preserved frescoes, wood, arches and buildings, is a wonderful experience that will leave you spell bound. Delve into how the ancient Romans lived and died in this city that is a perfectly preserved moment in history.

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