The Lesser-Known Small Town In Italy That Offers A Rare Look At The Lives Of Ancient Romans

When residents of Pompeii awoke on the morning of August 24, 79 C.E., they had no idea how tragically their day would end. Around noon, the mountain they knew as Vesuvius started spewing smoke and ash into the air. The ground shook. The mountain rumbled. Soon, Vesuvius erupted in earnest, vomiting a deadly black cloud into the atmosphere. All that volcanic fallout rained down on the city of Pompeii, suffocating and burying people alive. But Pompeii wasn't the only victim of this natural disaster; the neighboring town of Herculaneum was also destroyed, and thousands died in the deadly downpour.

Today, travelers can visit the ruins of Herculaneum, where the streets and buildings have been impressively preserved. The archeological park takes up a small fraction of Ercolano, a coastal town about 6 miles southeast of Naples. Herculaneum isn't nearly as famous as Pompeii, which was a popular resort town for ancient Romans with nearly twice the population (12,000 vs. Herculaneum's 5,000). But more and more tourists are becoming aware of the Herculaneum ruins, partly because the original architecture is even better preserved than Pompeii's, giving visitors a vivid portrait of ancient Roman life. You should absolutely add Pompeii to your European bucket list, but while you're there, consider the 12-mile side trip to the town of Ercolano — and the Archaeological Park of Herculaneum.

Herculaneum was named after Hercules, the hero of Roman (and formerly Greek) mythology and the town's mythical founder. Like Pompeii, Herculaneum was a popular getaway for vacationing Roman citizens, thanks to its coastal location and sunny climate. The town prospered until Mount Vesuvius' unexpected explosion. The first phase of the eruption wreaked havoc on Pompeii, which gave a warning that probably allowed more people to escape Herculaneum. But the second phase involved poison gases and monsoons of pumice and ash; Pompeii was covered in a blanket at least 13 feet deep, while Herculaneum was lost beneath as much as 80 feet of seismic debris.

The Archaeological Park of Herculaneum owes its existence to patient surveyors, who started excavating the site way back in 1738. What they uncovered was a treasure trove of artifacts, from colorful frescoes and mosaics to entire houses and columned walkways. Artwork covers many of the walls and floors, revealing the daily lives and preoccupations of the Roman people. One structure, the Casa d'Argo, still retains much of its second story, which is rare for any Roman home, especially one devastated by a volcano. So much of the town is intact that Herculaneum is considered one of the best sites in Italy for lovers of ancient history.

Herculaneum is fairly easy to reach on public transit: If you're coming from a large city, take a train to Naples (about 75 minutes from Rome) and then a bus or taxi to Ercolano (about 20 minutes). This is one of the most popular regions in Italy, and Ercolano is absolutely flooded with hotels. The archaeological park is right in the middle of town, and adult admission is about $17. While there is a lot to see on your own, even the most stubborn indie backpacker might consider joining a tour guide, who can describe in detail the history and nuances of the site. One of the most striking additions is the Virtual Archaeological Museum (MAV), located right next to the Herculaneum park. MAV uses sophisticated, interactive exhibits and immersive rooms to help visitors imagine daily life in Herculaneum in its heyday. Adult admission is about $12.

This region is packed with sights and activities, a nice combination of historical landmarks and carefree Mediterranean beach towns. Visiting Herculaneum puts you a short distance from the cliff-strewn Amalfi Coast, or you could drive 80 minutes south and visit Paestum, another classical colony with some of the best-preserved Greek ruins in the world.