Like the nearby city of Pompeii, Herculaneum is famous as one of the few ancient cities to be preserved more or less intact due to the thick layer of ash that blanketed the town from the eruption of Mt Vesuvius in 79AD. Unlike Pompeii, the mainly pyroclastic material that covered Herculaneum carbonized and preserved more wood in objects such as roofs, as well as other organic-based materials such as food.
Although it was smaller than Pompeii, Herculaneum was a wealthier town. and was a popular seaside retreat for the Roman elite, which is reflected in the extraordinary density of grand and luxurious houses. Famous buildings of the ancient city include the House of Tramezzo di Legno and the so-called "boat houses", in which the skeletal remains of at least 300 people were found.
Join Academy Travel tour leader Dr Eireann Marshall and local guide Raffaele Romano as they explore this ancient Roman town.
