Pompeii A City Covered by Ashes

While exploring Italy I was lucky enough to visit the city of Pompeii. This ancient Roman city  was buried under volcanic ash due to the horrific eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 79 A.D. Mt. Vesuvius is located near the bay of Naples and took the lives of over 2000 civilians, burying their bodies and homes, not to be rediscovered until 1748. The archeologists that discovered the remains of the city were very surprised because not only was the city well preserved, so were the bodies of those whose lives were lost. Mt. Vesuvius has erupted over 50 times, but its most recent was in 1944. Geologists say it is the most dangerous volcano in the world and that another Plinean eruption is due any day. Being so close to a very dangerous, active volcano made me extremely nervous to say the least.
Following the eruption Pompeii was abandoned for thousands of years, today the city is a popular tourist destination. There are hotels, restaurants, stores, and an outside market where you can purchase postcards and handmade items.

 My visit to Pompeii included a guided tour through the excavated ruins. We were able to explore the cobblestone lined streets, walk through their homes, and view the ancient artifacts. I have always loved learning about world history in school, but visiting these sites makes the stories come to life. The homes were quite small, and we were able to sit on their beds made of stone. I couldn't imagine sleeping on a stone slab. While looking at the artifacts I was truly amazed at how well they were preserved. We got to see vases, pots and pans, scupltures, and a few of the molds of the bodies burried by ash.

Pompeii was very eye opening and it's a tragedy that a civilization was wiped out for thousands of years. If you get the opportunity to travel to Italy, the ruins are certainly worth visiting.