Come with us to Ercolano: here’s what to see in the Archaeological Park, including houses, mosaics, theaters, and burnt ships in an attempt to escape the eruption.
If you want to reach this fascinating place comfortably, you can rely on the services of Naples NCC, which will guarantee you a safe and comfortable journey.
Ercolano: an ancient town at the foot of Mount Vesuvius
Despite often being overshadowed by the more famous Pompeii, Ercolano is a fascinating ancient city of great interest. Located on the slopes of Mount Vesuvius, it is one of the most beautiful archaeological sites in Italy and will enchant you with the narrative of its tragic history. In 79 AD, the violent eruption of Mount Vesuvius buried Ercolano under layers of ash and mud. It wasn’t until the 18th century that some accidental excavations brought to light a wealth of artifacts, revealing the existence of a hidden treasure: marbles, bronzes, buildings, and objects that time had concealed and were now resurfacing. Unlike the excavations of Pompeii, those of Ercolano have fewer human remains (a sign that much of the local population had time to find refuge elsewhere), but they offer a wide range of incredibly well-preserved buildings, statues, and objects.
The Archaeological Park of Ercolano
The Archaeological Park is open from April to October from 8:30 am to 7:30 pm (last entry at 6:00 pm), while in the remaining months, it opens from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm (last entry at 3:30 pm). It is closed only on Christmas and New Year’s Day. The full ticket price is 13 euros, but discounts are available for different categories of visitors, including a reduced offer of only 2 euros for young people aged 18 to 24 (children enter for free). Visiting the Ancient Theater is optional and requires a separate ticket.
What to see in the site?
The House of the Skeleton: a typical Roman house with mosaic floors, corridors, a cave, and a triclinium, so named because the remains of a human body were found inside.
The remains of the Baths of Ercolano: the thermal complex is divided into a male and female section, and it features frescoes, marbles, and graffiti depicting scenes of life within the structure.
The House of the Mosaic Atrium: another dwelling of the time with geometric and stylized flower-patterned flooring, also characterized by a fountain and a colonnade.
The House of Neptune and Amphitrite: the residence of a wealthy merchant of the time, famous for a splendid colorful mosaic depicting the two mythological characters enclosed in a frame of shells. The artwork adorns a wall of the summer triclinium.
The House of the Altar Relief of Telephus: in one of the largest residences of Ercolano, a precious relief sculpture was discovered, in which the carved figures stand out remarkably against the background. It depicts the myth of Telephus.
The Ancient Theater: a marvelous example of a Roman theater, capable of accommodating up to 3,000 spectators on its 10 rows of seating. The visit route is underground: wearing a helmet and a torch, you will also have the opportunity to admire numerous artifacts left by visitors from past centuries. After its discovery, the theater was used for various purposes, including being used as an air-raid shelter.
The burnt ship: finally, outside the city center, a recently discovered charred ship containing skeletons and a large number of coins. Historians believe it represents the last desperate attempt to escape the ongoing eruption.
Plan your visit to Ercolano and immerse yourself in the ancient history of this fascinating city. And if you want to reach the site comfortably, you can rely on the services of Naples NCC for safe and reliable transportation.
How to get to Ercolano
Ercolano is well connected to the center of Naples, so you can reach it using public transportation or more conveniently by car. If you choose not to use public transportation and prefer to reach Pompeii by car, travel with us: private transfers by NaplesNCC will take you wherever you prefer, with flexible schedules and a professional driver at your disposal. Contact us, and let’s define together the best solution for your needs.
To book and organize a tour or transfer, you can: visit the official website www.napolincc.com and do everything from there, call us at +39 081 3417101 or +39 3288058000 (active 24/7), send us an email to info@napolincc.com. Our office is located at Via Isac Rabin, 9 – 80024 Cardito – NA.
