Pompeii Tours & Tickets

Pompeii was buried by volcanic ash and pumice in 79 AD when Mount Vesuvius erupted, preserving the Roman city almost perfectly for nearly 2,000 years.

The eruption killed an estimated 16,000 people, and many bodies were preserved as hollow casts when plaster was poured into the spaces left by decomposed remains.

Pompeii is one of the most visited archaeological sites in the world, attracting around 2.5 million visitors annually.

The site covers approximately 44 hectares (110 acres), but only about two-thirds has been excavated; ongoing digs continue to reveal new structures and artifacts.

Graffiti found on Pompeii's walls provides insight into Roman daily life, including political endorsements, love declarations, and complaints about local businesses.

Pompeii was a thriving port city and commercial hub before the eruption, with residents trading goods across the Mediterranean.