Historical Herculaneum: An Audio Tour with Context

Once buried beneath 20 meters of volcanic mud, Herculaneum is now the world’s best-preserved ancient Roman city. On this walking tour with Context Travel expert Roberta Meomartini, you’ll explore the remnants of Roman life sealed in time by the catastrophic eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD.

Starting at the entrance to the Archaeological Park of Herculaneum, you’ll descend into this remarkable archaeological site where entire streets, houses, and shops remain nearly intact after two millennia. Roberta will reveal how this wealthy seaside resort town functioned in its heyday, from its sophisticated water systems to its thriving commercial life. You’ll see carbonized wooden furniture, preserved fabrics, and intricate frescoes. With Roberta’s help, you’ll decode these ancient remnants and gain an unparalleled window into daily Roman life.

This Herculaneum tour ends in front of the Antiquarium di Ercolano, a small museum housing hundreds of smaller artefacts.

Along the way, you’ll have a chance to:

• Take in the Palestra, where ancient Romans practised their sports before heading to the Grande Taberna (a tavern) for a well-deserved drink
• Discover how Romans dined at a thermopolium, an ancient fast-food restaurant complete with counters and food containers
• Explore the impressive central suburban baths complex, with its sophisticated heating system and stunning mosaics
• Visit the House of Neptune and Amphitrite to admire its spectacular mosaic and garden frescoes
• Examine the remains of the ancient shoreline, where hundreds of residents made their final attempt to escape the inferno that engulfed the city
• See House of the Deer and Casa del Bicentenario (House of the Bicentenary) and find out what their architecture reveals about their owners
• Appreciate the intimate scale of Herculaneum which, unlike its larger neighbor Pompeii, allows you to focus on details like Roman customs

By the end of this hour-long tour, you’ll have gained a deeper appreciation for the sophistication of Roman engineering and architecture, and a greater understanding of the human story behind this remarkable site’s preservation. You’ll also have learned about the fascinating archaeological discoveries that continue to shed new light on Roman life today.

Please note: An admission ticket (not included) is required to access the site, which you can purchase here.