5 Spectacular Views of Ancient Pompeii

Destroyed by a devastating eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD, the ancient city of Pompeii had been an important settlement since the 8th century BC. When the volcano blew, it buried much of the city and surrounding are in ash and lava. This had the effect of preserving the buildings, bodies and artefacts caught up in the explosion, something that’s helped us to learn a huge amount about everyday life in ancient Rome. 

Start your virtual tour of Ancient Pompeii by taking stroll down one of the city’s main streets. This important thoroughfare takes you from the entrance of the site right into the heart of the city, passing numerous temples, homes and architectural sights on the way.

Located in Pompeii’s Forum, in the ancient heart of the city, the Basilica was once among the most important buildings in Pompeii. The Basilica is thought to date back to around 130-120 BC, making it one of the oldest examples of this type of building in the Roman World.

The Basilica can be accessed from the Forum via 5 entrances. Inside, it was divided into 3 naves, each of which was richly decorated and furnished. Before the eruption, judges would sit in the western side of the Basilica and take care of the city’s judicial business. 

The Tempio de Venere, or Temple of Venus, was built soon after Pompeii was established as a Roman colony. The temple enjoys sweeping views of the surrounding plain, giving you the perfect opportunity to get a feel for Pompeii’s dramatic setting. 

The temple dates back to the 2^nd century BC and, like much of Pompeii, was destroyed by a powerful earthquake in 62AD. The restoration of the temple wasn’t yet complete when the catastrophic volcanic eruption engulfed the city 17 years later. 

Built into a natural hillside in the 2nd century BC, the city’s theater had a capacity for 4,000 spectators and was built from solid stone. The theater was constructed in the Greek style and offered three sections of tiered seating. The magistrates, senators and noblemen sat in the bottom tier, the middle section was reserved for the middle classes and the top section was given over to the working class, or plebeians. 

During its heyday, the theater would have hosted regular performances of Roman and Greek plays and would have been an important part of life in Pompeii. 

Get a fantastic overview of the layout of Pompeii before the volcano with a visit to the Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Napoli, or MANN. The museum houses a 3D model of Pompeii as well as several artefacts from the city. 

Seeing the city from above, and viewing the artworks, sculptures and personal belongings recovered from the site, will give you a better understanding of life in Pompeii and the people who lived in the city.