Types | Excursions Transfers | Ercolano, Italy




Ercolano Italy

The same eruption of Vesuvious in 79AD destroyed Pompei, covered the refined Herculaneum with lava and mud, submerging its houses and objects.

However here we find well conserved wooden objects, furniture, allowing us to record customs, traditions, and art from a Roman era. Many of the artefacts now are housed in the National Archaeological Museum in Naples; others in the local Antiquarium.

Herculaneum was a popular holiday resort for the wealthy Romans. Cicerone considered it to be one of the most important towns in the Campania region; Caesar had a Villa in the town.
On its area stood the town once known as Resina and finalised in the name of Ercolano by a passed law in 1969.

The archaeological sites excavations were begun in 1709 by Emanuele di Lorena. Subsequently on several occasions being halted to be re-started, until the Italian Government intervened in 1927.

To be noted is the theatre 26 metres in height, large enough to hold 3000 spectators upon ten rows of steps; the ornate marble Basilica, the Thermae with the Gymnasium, la Casa di Argo with a portico of 20 columns and 6 pillars. Also the papyrus of Herculaneum now kept in the National Archaeological Museum in Naples.





Eight years of work, the discovery of the Southern part of the town with its buildings of great beauty and conspicuous works of art, the perfection of the restoration give us an intimate look into the private lives of these historic people.

The excavation of Herculaneum bringing with it great difficulty due to the hard compact covering of Volcanic tuff.

Casa di Argo
The last house to be discovered during the Bourbon reign was “La Casa d’Argo” that is still in part hidden. This habitat is a sign of nobility with its peristyle of ancient columns.

Casa dei Cervi
Above all the noble and luxurious houses were the south facing houses with terraces overlooking the Bay of Naples. One of these is “La Casa dei Cervi”, with its open garden, large rooms still covered with marble and flooring.

The Boutique
Apart from the still intact fittings left on the work bench, one finds carbonised vegetables and cereals, the wooden lumber-room that once hold the amphoras ready for collection and delivery.

Casa Sannitica
The noble pre-roman habitat, from the Samnite age, is well preserved especially in the atrium and on the upper floor, where it is all surrounded by precious and refined columns. Of great interest are the entrance with its pillars and carved capitals, and the geometric designed floor, too.