Herculaneum
Herculaneum was an ancient Roman town located on the Gulf of Naples in what is now modern-day Italy. It was destroyed and buried in ash and pumice when Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD, along with the nearby town of Pompeii. Unlike Pompeii, which was buried under a layer of ash and rock, Herculaneum was buried under a thick layer of volcanic mud, which created an airtight seal over the ruins. As a result, many artifacts and structures from the town have been well-preserved, including wooden furniture, paintings, and even food that was being cooked when the eruption occurred.
Excavations at the site have revealed a number of important insights into daily life in ancient Rome. The town was home to a number of wealthy citizens, and the well-preserved houses and public buildings demonstrate the high level of wealth and luxury enjoyed by the residents. The town also had a number of public amenities, including a gymnasium, a public bath, and a theater.
Today, Herculaneum is a popular tourist destination and has been designated a World Heritage site by UNESCO. Visitors to the site can explore the well-preserved ruins of the town, including the houses, public buildings, and streets. The town is also home to the Antiquarium, a museum that displays a wide range of artifacts from the excavation, including jewelry, pottery, and everyday objects.
In addition to its historical and cultural significance, Herculaneum is also known for its beautiful location on the Gulf of Naples. The town is situated on a hill overlooking the sea, and offers panoramic views of the surrounding area. Visitors to the site can enjoy the beautiful natural surroundings as they explore the ancient ruins.

Overall, Herculaneum is a unique and fascinating destination that offers visitors a glimpse into the past and a chance to learn about the rich history of ancient Rome. Its well-preserved ruins and beautiful location make it a must-see destination for anyone interested in history or archaeology.
Is Herculaneum worth visiting?
Herculaneum is a well-preserved ancient Roman town located on the Gulf of Naples in Italy. It is a popular tourist destination due to its rich history and the exceptional level of preservation of the ruins, which were buried under a thick layer of volcanic mud when Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD. The airtight seal created by the mud allowed many artifacts and structures to be exceptionally well-preserved, including wooden furniture and even food that was being cooked when the eruption occurred. Visitors to Herculaneum can explore the well-preserved ruins of the town, including the houses, public buildings, and streets, and visit the Antiquarium, a museum that displays a wide range of artifacts from the excavation. In addition to its historical and cultural significance, Herculaneum is also known for its beautiful location on the Gulf of Naples. The town is situated on a hill overlooking the sea, and offers panoramic views of the surrounding area. Visitors to the site can enjoy the beautiful natural surroundings as they explore the ancient ruins. Overall, many people consider Herculaneum to be worth visiting due to its rich history, well-preserved ruins, and beautiful location. If you are interested in history or archaeology, or simply want to learn more about ancient Rome, Herculaneum is definitely worth considering as a destination.
Is Herculaneum better than Pompeii?
It is difficult to say definitively whether Herculaneum is better than Pompeii, as both ancient Roman towns have their own unique histories and attractions. Both towns were destroyed and buried in ash and pumice when Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD, and both offer valuable insights into daily life in ancient Rome. One of the main differences between the two towns is the level of preservation of the ruins. Pompeii was buried under a layer of ash and rock, which allowed air and moisture to penetrate the ruins and led to the deterioration of many artifacts and structures over time. Herculaneum, on the other hand, was buried under a thick layer of volcanic mud, which created an airtight seal over the ruins. As a result, many artifacts and structures from the town have been exceptionally well-preserved, including wooden furniture and even food that was being cooked when the eruption occurred. Another difference between the two towns is the size and layout. Pompeii was a larger and more populous town than Herculaneum, with a population of around 13,000 people. It had a more typical Roman layout, with a grid of straight streets and a central forum. Herculaneum, on the other hand, was a smaller town with a population of around 4,000 people. It had a more irregular layout, with winding streets and a number of public buildings and amenities. Ultimately, whether you consider Herculaneum or Pompeii to be better will depend on your personal interests and priorities. Both towns are worth visiting and offer unique insights into ancient Roman culture and daily life.
Do you need to book for Herculaneum?
It is generally recommended to book tickets in advance for a visit to Herculaneum, as the site is a popular tourist destination and can get quite busy, especially during peak season. By booking in advance, you can avoid long lines and ensure that you have a spot on a guided tour or can access the site at a time that is convenient for you. There are several ways to book tickets for Herculaneum. You can book online through the official website of the Archaeological Park of Herculaneum, or through a third-party ticket vendor such as Viator or GetYourGuide. You can also book tickets in person at the ticket office at the site, although it is recommended to arrive early to avoid long lines. It is important to note that tickets for Herculaneum are not valid for entry to the nearby town of Pompeii, which is a separate archaeological site. If you want to visit both sites, you will need to purchase tickets for each site separately. Overall, booking tickets in advance is the best way to ensure that you have a smooth and enjoyable visit to Herculaneum.
Are there toilets at Herculaneum?
Yes, there are toilets at the site of Herculaneum. The ancient Roman town is a popular tourist destination and has facilities in place to accommodate visitors. There are a number of public restrooms located throughout the site, including near the ticket office, the Antiquarium (a museum that displays artifacts from the excavation), and the parking area. It is important to note that the toilets at Herculaneum may not be as modern or well-maintained as those found at other tourist attractions. They may not always be the cleanest or most comfortable, so it is a good idea to bring your own hand sanitizer and be prepared for less-than-ideal conditions. Overall, while the toilets at Herculaneum may not be the most luxurious, they are generally sufficient for the needs of most visitors. If you need to use the facilities during your visit, you should be able to find a toilet nearby.
Can you walk around Herculaneum?
Yes, visitors to the site of Herculaneum are able to walk around and explore the ancient Roman town. The site is well-preserved and offers a unique opportunity to see what life was like in ancient Rome. Visitors can walk along the well-preserved streets and explore the houses, public buildings, and other structures that have been excavated at the site. There are also several guided tours available at Herculaneum that allow visitors to learn more about the history and significance of the site. These tours are typically led by trained guides who can provide information about the ruins and the artifacts that have been found at the site. Some tours may include a visit to the Antiquarium, a museum that displays a wide range of artifacts from the excavation, or a visit to the nearby town of Pompeii. It is important to note that the site of Herculaneum is an archaeological site, and visitors are asked to respect the ruins and not touch or damage any of the structures or artifacts. There are also certain areas of the site that may be off-limits to visitors due to ongoing excavations or conservation work. Overall, visitors to Herculaneum are able to walk around and explore the site at their own pace, and can also choose to participate in a guided tour to learn more about the history and significance of the ruins.
Why was Herculaneum abandoned?
Herculaneum was not abandoned, but rather was destroyed and buried in ash and pumice when Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD. The town was located on the slopes of the volcano, and was one of several towns in the region that were destroyed in the eruption. The eruption of Mount Vesuvius was a catastrophic event that caused widespread destruction and loss of life, and the towns of Pompeii and Herculaneum, which were both located near the volcano, were buried under a thick layer of ash and pumice. After the eruption, the towns were abandoned and left buried for centuries. It was not until the 18th century that the ruins of Pompeii and Herculaneum were rediscovered and excavations began. Today, both towns are popular tourist destinations and have been designated World Heritage sites by UNESCO.
Is Herculaneum closer to Vesuvius than Pompeii?
Yes, Herculaneum is located closer to Mount Vesuvius than Pompeii. Both towns were located on the slopes of the volcano and were destroyed and buried in ash and pumice when it erupted in 79 AD. However, Herculaneum was located closer to the base of the volcano than Pompeii, and was therefore more severely affected by the eruption. Herculaneum is located just a few kilometers from Mount Vesuvius, while Pompeii is located about 8 kilometers from the volcano. The proximity of Herculaneum to the volcano contributed to the level of destruction and the burial of the town under a thick layer of volcanic mud, which created an airtight seal over the ruins and allowed many artifacts and structures to be exceptionally well-preserved.
Where are the skeletons at Herculaneum?
Skeletons were discovered at the site of Herculaneum during the excavation of the ancient Roman town. Herculaneum was destroyed and buried in ash and pumice when Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD, and the well-preserved ruins of the town offer a unique insight into daily life in ancient Rome. The skeletons found at Herculaneum were located in a number of different areas of the town, including the streets, houses, and public buildings. Many of the skeletons were found in a huddled position, which suggests that the individuals were seeking shelter or trying to escape the eruption. The skeletons are a poignant reminder of the catastrophic event that destroyed the town and the loss of life that occurred. Today, the skeletons found at Herculaneum are not on display to the public. They have been studied by researchers and archaeologists to learn more about the lives and deaths of the people who lived in the town, and are now stored in a museum collection.
What train stop for Herculaneum?
The nearest train station to the ancient Roman town of Herculaneum is Ercolano Scavi, which is located just a few kilometers from the site. The train station is served by local trains on the Circumvesuviana line, which connects Naples and Sorrento. To get to Herculaneum from the train station, you can take a bus or taxi, or walk to the site. The walk from the train station to the site takes about 20-30 minutes and follows a well-marked route. There are also several guided tours available that include transportation to and from the site from various locations in the region. It is important to note that the train station at Ercolano Scavi is not the main train station for the city of Naples, but rather a local train station that is used primarily for access to the ancient Roman towns of Pompeii and Herculaneum. If you are traveling from a different city and need to transfer to the Circumvesuviana line, you will need to go to the main train station in Naples, which is called Napoli Centrale. From there, you can catch a train to Ercolano Scavi.