Herculaneum (Ercolano) - an ancient Roman resort town on the shores of the Gulf of Naples (Golfo di Napoli), in the province of Naples (Napoli). Now on the part of its territory is the modern city of Ercolano.
Story
According to legend, Herculaneum was founded by Hercules himself (Ercole). In reality, most likely, the first settlements on the territory of the city belonged to the Oscans - the ancient Italian people. After the land fell under the rule of the Greeks. Historians believe that it was the Greeks who gave it the name. In the writings of the philosopher Theofrasto, he is referred to as Heraklion.
In the IV century BC e. the city was captured by a Samnite tribe. After the city passed into the possession of the Roman Empire (l'Impero Romano) - according to various sources in the III - I centuries. BC e. Around 89 BC e. Herculaneum’s life was in full swing - the city received the status of a municipality - a city where people were free and in varying degrees received Roman citizenship and the right to self-government. The population of the city totaled approximately 4000 inhabitants. The townspeople were engaged in crafts and art. Locals created art for other cities. In 62-63 years. (exact date not known) the city suffered from a strong earthquake.
The death of the city
On August 24, 79, Herculaneum was swallowed by the eruption of Vesuvio volcano. The volcanic ash that quickly covered the cities of Pompei and Stabiae did not hit Herculaneum much. But most of the townspeople in fear left the city. After midnight, streams of red-hot lava poured into the city. Poisonous gas, layers of ash and pyroclastic flows instantly destroyed everyone who hoped to escape in urban shelters. Lava flooded the streets and houses, evenly and hermetically filling all empty spaces. This helped preserve the remains of the dead, buildings, furniture, papyrus scrolls, and even food.
Excavations
At the beginning of the XVIII century, a local resident Ambrogio Nucherino dug a well and stumbled upon the ruins of an ancient city. Upon learning of the find, the Duke of Emmanuel Maurice Lotarinsky bought the territory of the well and organized excavations with his own money. Workers pierced the adit for 9 months. 9 statues were found. The wreckage that Nucherino found was the remains of the Herculaneum Theater.
Since 1738, excavations resumed on the orders of Charles III (Carl III). The most valuable exhibits were exhibited at the Royal Palace in Portici (Reggia di Portici). During excavations from the 1750s to 1765, Villa Papyrus was discovered (Villa dei Papiri). In 1765, gas went from the adit. Excavations ceased, the entrances were sealed.
Further excavations of 1828-1855 and 1869-1875. stopped due to high costs. Archaeologists returned to Herculaneum in 1924. Until the twentieth century, it was believed that all citizens were saved during the cataclysm. But in 1982, archaeologists discovered approximately 250 skeletons in boat boathouses. At the moment, due to the proximity of Herculaneum to the modern city, excavations are very difficult.
During the first excavations carried out extremely unprofessionally, ancient works of art were mined. All of them fell to private collectors. Now it is impossible to establish their initial location. Many objects by the standards of those times did not cost anything and were lost. Medieval excavation techniques seriously damaged the ancient city. Now the tradition of destruction continues to tourists. Each seeks to carry away a piece of the ancient monument. On the surfaces of the city there are inscriptions.
Architecture
In Herculaneum, Greek architecture prevails. Sidewalks covered with loggias, porticos - covered galleries for protection from rain and sun, guest rooms - buildings not inherent in Italy. Sewerage in Herculaneum overlooked the sea, and an influx of clean water was organized into houses and fountains. Roadways were covered with volcanic plates. The sidewalks towered above the road, were separated by curbs and lined with red tufa.
City buildings were decorated with bright mosaics and frescoes. The plots of the images were humorous, and sometimes openly pornographic, by modern standards, in nature. The best artifacts are exhibited in the permanent exhibition of the Secret Cabinet (Gabinetto Segreto) in the Archaeological Museum of Naples (Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Napoli).
The scheme of Herculaneum is quite simple. The open part of the city was divided into eight quarters. The quarters two through seven were indicated by numbers; the first and second were called East I and East II, respectively. In some sources, instead of the word "quarter" you will find the name insula (Insula). Three streets cross the city from north to south, one from east to west. In the city and along the bay stood the villas of the Roman nobility. A fabulous view and mild climate turned Herculaneum into a real resort.
Sights
Quarter 2
Argus House (Casa d'Argo) - was considered one of the most beautiful villas in the city. It is named after the fresco depicting Io and Argus (Io e Argus) - ancient mythical characters. Now the fresco is lost. Other attractions in Insula II are the House of Aristide (Casa di Aristide) and the House of Genius (Casa del Genio).
Quarter 3
The inn (Casa dell'Albergo) occupied a huge area - 2150 m². It was a private villa with sea views. The building was badly damaged by the volcano and the first excavations. Inside are therms, rooms, terrace, atrium and peristyle - an open space surrounded by a covered colonnade. However, at the time of the eruption, the house was used as a hotel by the new owners.
The house with a wooden partition (Casa dell Tramezzo di Legno) has been preserved since the time of the Samnites. The partition of reed covered with clay has survived. This wall separated the inner light courtyard from the tablinum - a kind of study, or from the dining room. This technique of making walls was cheap, but the structures had a pleasant appearance. Fresco images and mosaic tiles in the house date back to the 1st century. n e.
Quarter 4
In the fourth quarter, there is the Alcove House (Casa dell'Alcova), where a modest building and a wealthy family house are adjacent. Another of the ruined luxury buildings is the House with a mosaic atrium (Casa del'Atrio a Mosaico). The floor is paved with black and white mosaic. Bedrooms and niches are decorated with magnificent frescoes. The covered gallery is adjacent to the observation terraces. Some furniture has survived.
No less magnificent structure - House with a deer (Casa del Cervi). Inside the house, a bread cake was preserved, by printing on which it was possible to establish the name of the owner of the house. The multi-colored marble floor, marble tables, deer sculptures are just a small part of the surviving story.
Quarter 5
In the fifth quarter, visit the House with a beautiful courtyard, the Samnite House (Casa Sannitica) and the House with charred furniture (Casa del Mobilio Carbonazzato). The house with a large entrance (Casa del Gran Portale) was named after the huge entrance, framed by half-columns with figures of winged goddesses of victory on the capitals. There is no atrium in the house, rooms go away from the corridor. The mosaic house of Neptune and Amphitrite (Casa di Nettune e d'Anfitrite) probably belonged to a successful wine merchant. One of the walls is decorated with a mosaic depicting two sea deities. Amphorae in which wine was stored also survived.
Quarter 6
In the House with a black room (Casa del Salone Nero), the room is decorated with frescoes on a black background. Well preserved wooden doors. The College of Augustus (Sacello degli Augustali) was built in honor of Emperor Octavian Augustus for the meetings of the Curia. The walls are decorated with magnificent paintings, in particular the fresco of Hercules, Juno and Minerva. The college was a sanctuary for the veneration of the emperor.
Terme (Terme Urbane) - the construction of the times of the influence of the Greeks. The baths were divided into male and female parts. From the men's corridor there was an exit to the sports ground. Next was the dressing room - apoditerium, a room for heating, rooms for cooling. In the caldaria there were pools with hot and cold water for warm baths. The walls and floor of the premises were decorated with images of fish, newts, dolphins and octopuses. Women's baths were more comfortable and better preserved.
Quarter 7
The only building of the seventh quarter is the House of Galba (Casa di Galba). The building is located close to the new city, so it is not open to the end.
One of the largest houses in the city - House with a relief of Teleph. The originality of the building is that it repeats the relief of the land on which it is located. The house consists of two parts. And the corridor to the second part goes at an angle. The walls of the rooms are decorated with relief masks of satyrs and theatrical characters. Everywhere you can see the expensive marble cladding. One of the rooms is decorated with images of myths about Tele.
A few hundred meters from Herculaneum was discovered Villa Papyrus. The building covers an area of 2790 square meters. m. During excavations in the villa, statues of many figures of art and politics were found. The most unique find is the only library preserved from the time of Antiquity. It is assumed that the surviving scrolls contain the lost works of Sophocles, Euripides, Aristotle and other thinkers of antiquity. An identical building now exists in Malibu. Paul Getty, a businessman from the United States, built the villa according to the sketches of the ruins found and the canons of ancient architecture.
As already mentioned the city’s first discovered building was a theater. And it was this fact that contributed to the irreparable destruction of the once luxurious building. The amateurish methods of excavation forever destroyed the sculptures and valuable objects inside the theater. And once the theater accommodated almost 2,000 spectators. Magnificent decoration, bronze statues, a scene from multi-colored marble - all is irretrievably lost.
Tours
In Herculaneum, many more buildings have survived that deserve attention, except for the above. For example, Villa Papyrusov or theater. You can see them all in one day. You can book an individual excursion from Naples and visit Heraculanum or Pompeii, or all together. And you can get to the dead cities on your own.
Work mode:
- April 1 - October 31: 8.30 - 19.30 (last call 18.00);
- November 1 - March 31: 8.30 - 17.00 (last call 15.30);
- Closed: December 25, January 1.
Ticket price:
- 1 day visit to Herculaneum: cost € 11.00; preferential ticket: € 5.50 (only for citizens of the European Union (Unione Europea));
- Comprehensive visit: Pompeii, Herculaneum, Oplontis (Oplontis), Stabia (Stabiae), Boscoreale (Boscoreale) - ticket valid for 3 days: € 22,00; preferential ticket: € 12.00 (only for EU citizens).
Booking tickets by phone: +39 199-757517.
You can book a ticket in advance online on the official website.
- We recommend reading: how to buy tickets to museums in Italy
How to get from Naples
By train:
Routes Naples-Sorrento (Napoli-Sorrento) or Naples - Podzhomarino (Napoli-Poggiomarino). The CIRCUMVESUVIANA train stops at Ercolano.
ERCOLANO-SCAVI Station 700 meters from the ruins of the city. From the station to Herculaneum can be reached on foot. Get off the train and head towards the sea.
Cross the intersection and walk down Via IV Novembre to the intersection with Corso Resina. You will find the entrance to the ruins.
- See instructions: how to buy train tickets for Italy
By car
On the A3 Napoli-Salerno road. Turn onto Ercolano and follow the signs. Herculaneum has parking. Compare prices and rent a car in Italy using the service auto.italy4.me
Useful Tips
- The museum has one cafe and high prices. Stock up on food;
- Take a flask for water - you can replenish it in the complex;
- For a deeper understanding of the sights, take an audio guide. It can be rented at the information desk near the cash desk;
- At the entrance you will be given a map of the complex and a booklet with information;
- If you speak Italian, you can use the services of a guide. This can be agreed directly in front of the complex. The price for the service varies: € 15-20.
