The excavations of Herculaneum

excavations of Herculaneum
Written by Napolike

History

Herculaneum, which suffered the same fate as Pompei, was annihilated by the fury of Vesuvius.

The second day of theeruption, the 25 of August 79 AD, was particularly destructive and, in addition to the consequences of the eruption, was hit by a tsunami that covered it with mud, lapilli and debris. The mud solidified until it gave rise to an extremely resistant material which, paradoxically, ended up preserving the city.

The excavations

Ercolano has returned important findings: just think of the beautiful Villa dei Papiri built overhanging the sea that housed over 1800 papyri and extraordinary sculptures.

The initial excavations date back to 1710. Con Charles III of Bourbon, in the 1738, the first excavations were organized with the technique of underground tunnels and from 1828 the "open sky" excavations were authorized until 1875.
From the 1927 to the 1958 the works brought to light the area that can currently be visited.

In the last twenty years along the limit ofancient beach le coastal equipment for the shelter of boats and warehouses where in vain they had sought shelter dozens of residents.
The excavations return only a portion of the city of Herculaneum because part of it still remains covered under the current urban settlement.

Information on the excavations of Herculaneum

Opening time:

  • 08: 30 - 19.30 (last entry to 18: 00) - from 1 April to 31 October
  • 08: 30 - 17.00 (last entry to 15: 30) - from 1 November to 31 March
  • 1 January and 25 December closed

Price tickets:

  • Full € 11,00
  • Reduced € 5,50
  • Free for under 18 and the first Sunday of each month

Skip the line! Buy tickets online.

Contacts:

How to get:

  • Address: Resin Course - 80056 Herculaneum
  • Circumvesuviana: Naples-Sorrento / Naples-Poggiomarino / Naples-Torre Annunziata Lines: Herculaneum stop | Cars - Highway A3 Naples Pompeii Salerno: Herculaneum exit (Cupa dei Monti)
 
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