In Campania, a long arc of volcanic history stretches from the ash of the 79 AD eruption of Vesuvius to the lava flows of 1944. Ancient sites, coastal landscapes and paths across volcanic terrain offer different ways to explore the region.
Ancient Traces and Their Sites
The eruption of Vesuvius buried Pompeii under volcanic ash and lapilli. Herculaneum disappeared beneath pyroclastic surges and flows. These different deposits shape the way we view two ancient cities that are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. They also include the Villa of the Mysteries, the Villa of the Papyri, and Villa A and Villa B in Torre Annunziata.
The archaeological sites of Pompeii, Herculaneum and Torre Annunziata were excavated in stages and have been open to the public since the mid-18th century. The mosaic section of MANN offers another perspective on the region, displaying examples from private homes in Pompeii, Herculaneum and other places in Campania. The collection spans the 2nd century BC to the 1st century AD. Here, you can encounter mosaics from several centuries and different sites within a shared thematic collection.
Coastal Landscapes and Garden Art
The Amalfi Coast stretches along the southern coast of the Sorrentine Peninsula in the Province of Salerno. It is considered a landscape of outstanding cultural value, shaped by both nature and human activity. The UNESCO World Heritage Site covers 11,231 hectares and includes 15 municipalities, agricultural land and three nature reserves. Rocky areas, forests and maquis stand alongside citrus groves and vineyards. It is this interplay between natural landscapes and cultivated land that gives the coast its distinctive character.
The Caserta complex offers a different example of a designed landscape. It includes the 123-hectare Royal Park, a three-kilometre-long Waterway and more than 200 botanical species in the English Garden. Its scale offers several perspectives, from the expansive park to the variety of plants in the garden.
Volcanic Trails and Hiking Routes
The Gran Cono Trail in Parco Nazionale del Vesuvio is 4,010 metres long as a round trip and reaches a maximum elevation of 1,175 metres. Rated easy, the hike takes about two and a half hours and starts and ends in San Vito in Ercolano. Along the way, the trail crosses young volcanic ash and lapilli, as well as small lava flows formed during the 1944 eruption. Check trail conditions and access rules before setting out.
The 14-kilometre Sentiero della Primula offers a different perspective: a nature trail across a promontory. Views include the sea, forests, rivers and archaeological areas. Parco Nazionale del Cilento e Vallo di Diano also has a network of old hiking trails and promotes hiking. When planning a route, keep in mind that conditions on individual trails may change.
Monasteries, Viewpoints and Archaeological Parks
The Certosa di San Lorenzo is the largest monastic complex in southern Italy and has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1998. The visitor route includes the church, refectory, kitchen, Great Cloister, monumental staircase and Cloister of the Procurators, among other areas. Access to individual rooms may change, so check the conditions before your visit.
At Parco Archeologico di Cuma, the ancient Via Sacra leads up the hill to the Acropolis and the Tempio Maggiore. The Belvedere terrace offers views of the islands of Ischia and Procida. At Paestum and Velia, the combined ticket includes access to the archaeological areas at both sites and to the Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Paestum; check the ticket conditions before your visit. A free shuttle connects the Voza car park near Paestum with the Museo dell’Heraion sul Sele. Check the shuttle’s current operating status when planning your visit.
Discover more destinations: Ischia, Salerno, Avellino, Benevento, Caserta, Naples, Calabria, Sardinia.
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