The other was Herculaneum, an equally wealthy but smaller seaside resort and trading port.
Herculaneum, in particular, is worth visiting because its ruins are far better preserved than Pompeiis.
The ruins of Herculaneum.
Notice the depth the city is buried.
These are boat houses that once lined the ancient shore.
Photo credit:Dave & Margie Hill/Flickr
Herculaneum was located much closer to the crater, than Pompeii was.
The following night, Vesuvius unleashed its fury on the now mostly evacuated town of Herculaneum.
Other areas were simply engulfed by ash and hot gases and saw little damage.
These areas had the best preserved structures.
They also unearthed some 300 skeletons establishing that the town was not completely evacuated as previously thought.
Unlike Pompeii, most of the town of Herculaneum is yet to be excavated.
The most noteworthy building in Herculaneum is a luxurious villa called the “Villa of the Papyri.”
A map showing the cities and towns affected by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD.
