Herculaneum Archaeological Site

Legend has it that Herculaneum was founded by Hercules himself: a mythical origin perfectly suited to a city capable of surviving the centuries and coming back to light more vividly than ever. Built between 80 and 70 BC, it was overwhelmed by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79, but not by lapilli, as Pompeii was. Herculaneum was buried by a flow of mud and lava which, as it solidified, sealed and preserved everything: intact frescoes, everyday objects, furnishings and even textiles.

A true treasure chest of antiquity, discovered by chance in 1709 and still largely unexcavated today. Among the treasures brought back to light are baths, theatres, sumptuous patrician villas and the famous Villa of the Papyri, which belonged to Julius Caesar’s father-in-law.