- Volcanic activity
- Interesting facts about Vesuvius
- Vesuvius for tourists
- How to get to Vesuvius
Vesuvius volcano (height - 1281 m, crater diameter - 750 m) is a unique attraction in the south of Italy (15 km away from Naples).
Volcanologist Alfred Ritman, while studying Vesuvius, managed to establish the physicochemical parameters of its lava minerals and various inclusions. It should be noted that under the “fire-breathing mountain” magma chambers are located at a depth of 3 and 10-15 km.
Vesuvius has three nested cones: the first cone is called Monte Somma (this arcuate shaft is located outside); the second cone (Vesuvius) is located inside the Somme; at the bottom of the crater, a third temporary cone is formed, which disappears after strong eruptions.
Not far from the volcano is the coastal town of Torre Annunziata, and at 600 meters (northwestern slope of the mountain) there is a volcanological observatory (where the activity of the volcano is monitored). The foot of the mountain is a place of concentration of vineyards and orchards, and above, at 800 meters, there is a pine forest.
Volcanic activity
Vesuvius is believed to have appeared 25,000 years ago. The cause is the collision of two tectonic plates. The volcano first erupted around 6940 BC. There were at least 80 eruptions at Vesuvius, with the most destructive one in 79. Because of the explosion, a cloud of smoke, stones and ash was formed, which rose up to 30 km - it rushed to the cities, as a result of which Pompeii, Oplontis, Herculaneum were erased from the face of the earth.
Despite the fact that in 1631 the eruption was weaker than in 79, 4,000 people became victims of Vesuvius, and in addition, the cone of the mountain became lower by almost 170 m. The eruption in 1805 was relatively weak, but at the same time approximately 26,000 people suffered, and much of the city of Naples was destroyed. The victims of the eruption that happened in 1944 were 27 people, plus the cities of San Sebastiano and Massa were destroyed.
Interesting facts about Vesuvius
The eruption, which lasted almost a day and destroyed Pompeii, occurred the day after the festival of the god of fire (Vulcanalia). And the settlements buried under the ashes were accidentally discovered in the 18th century.
The beauty of the volcano attracted poets and artists. So, many views of Vesuvius and the Gulf of Naples were created by the British painter Joseph Wright. As for Russian art, everyone knows Karl Bryullov's painting "The Last Day of Pompeii".
Since 2005, everyone can visit a unique exhibition where they will see sculptures made of lava.
Vesuvius for tourists
Vesuvius has always attracted visitors to Naples with its beauty. So, since 1880, those wishing to climb Mount Vesuvius on a pendulum funicular (a steam engine set in motion two large carriages). This "attraction" was in great demand among tourists until its destruction (the cause was the eruption that occurred in 1944).
In 1980, another eruption occurred, which severely damaged the chairlift built in 1953 (it was in no less demand among travelers than the pendulum funicular).
Today, a hiking trail has been equipped to “conquer” the mountain: the way from the foot of Vesuvius to the trail, tourists can overcome along the road. It ends with a parking lot at a kilometer height (everyone will have the opportunity to admire the opening panorama from a height, in particular, the Gulf of Naples). Those wishing to taste Lacryma Christi wine will be welcome at the nearby café-bar.
In December-February, the trail can be accessed from 9 am to 3 pm; in March-October - until 16:00; in September, April-June - until 5 pm; and in July-August - until 6 pm (for those who find it difficult to overcome a difficult climb, benches are provided for rest); entrance ticket price - 8 euros (ticket for those,those under 18 will cost 5 euros), and parking - 2.5 euros.
In addition to the volcano, tourists are interested in buried cities that have been carefully restored by archaeologists. So, they can get acquainted with Pompeii (guests will see the Maly and Bolshoi theaters, the Forum, the gladiator's barracks and other objects) and Herculaneum (this means visiting the excavations of the thermal baths, the temple of Venus, the house of the Deer and others). These zones are open to the public from 8:30 to 18-19: 30 (1 day stay in each of them will cost 11 euros).
If you decide to visit five ancient cities, including the villas of Stabia, then you will be asked to pay 20 euros for a complex ticket (the tour is designed for 3 days).
How to get to Vesuvius
Tourists can take the train that runs from the Central Station in Piazza Garibaldi to the Ercolano Scavi station - there it is worth looking into the travel agency, which will take over the delivery of travelers to Mount Vesuvius by minibus (cost of the trip + entrance ticket to the volcano - 18 euros).
For those who decide to get to their destination on their own, it is recommended to get to Via Piedigrotta, from where buses run at 9:00 and 10:15 to Vesuvius National Park.
