The remains of the city of Pompeii in Italy is an absolute must-see place. It is not only amazing to see what had been uncovered, but how advanced life was at that time. Townhouses, villas, paved streets and bathhouses were part of the Pompeiian citizens’ life. Sadly, this was all wiped away in 79AD by the volcanic eruption of Mt. Vesuvius which buried Pompeii, and its citizens, in hot ash. You can also see castings or molds of people and animals that were killed. Plaster was poured into the ‘holes’ left after the bodies disintegrated. The castings are so perfect you can see the fear that was on the faces of the people.
There are numerous guided tours of Pompeii, in every major language. The tours cover different parts of the old city and aspects of life there.
Some of the most interesting sites are of the old villas of the Roman inhabitants. The House of Vetti provides an intimate portrait of life in this city thousands of years ago.
The most poignant sight in Pompeii is that of the plaster casts made of the victims. The volcanic ash covered their bodies, which later decomposed. Archeologists found the hollowed-out cavities within the rock, and filled them with plaster to create these casts. They depict the unfortunate victims in the exact positions where they died. They are displayed in the small museums around the city.
Porta Nocera (in English, Nocera Gate) is located in the southeastern sector of the town and it was built in the fourth century B.C. during the Samnite time. It is called Nocera because it stands at the beginning of the road leading to the city with the same name. It has got a single barrel-vaulted room with two bastions at either end to protect the entrance. It is built with blocks of limestone.
Walking along Via dell’Abbondanza you can see on yuor left the Officina di Verecundus (in English, Shop of Verecundus) where cloths, wool suits and objects were manufactured. To the entry you can see four paintings: two represent the protecting divinities of the shop (Mercury and Venus) on a quadriga thrown by four elephants; the others two show the laboratories of the weavers in full activity.
Walking on the left of Porta Vesuvio you are on the street that connect the gateway with Villa dei Misteri. Following this path you can see the walls: they were built in the 4th century BC and renforced in the following centuries with blocks of tufo. Along the walls you can see three towers.
Taberna Lusoria was a tavern in which people play the game of the dice. On the facade there is an insignia with a vase among two faults. Inside the tavern you can see rests of painting with geometric subject.
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