Pompeii and Herculaneum

We said before that our hotel in Rome is near the Spanish Steps. Most everyone has heard of the Spanish Steps, but we learned that they are really French. The story goes that the French built a Catholic church at the top of a hill and had problems attracting worshipers because of the steep climb. So, the French built steps from the piazza below which was where Spain had their embassy. Romans decided to call them Spanish Steps because the embassy was there first.

Today’s adventure took us on a 2-hour train ride from Rome south past Naples to Pompeii. We had arranged a private guide to show us both Pompeii and Herculaneum, cities buried when Mt. Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD. Pompeii is the more completely excavated, but Herculaneum is better preserved because it was buried under lava rather than ash. The frescos were preserved so well that it made the cities seem almost modern.

Our guide was a little over the top. Loud and rushing us through. It was an exhausting day because of the travel, the heat and our rapid-fire guide. We will sleep well.

Our guide, Giuseppe, at Pompeii

Herculaneum with Vesuvius in the background