POMPEI
A visit to the city of Pompei combines two important realities. On one side the remains of one of the richest cities in the roman Empire and on the other, Christian spiritually as evidenced in the number of pilgrims that visit the sanctuary of the Blessed Virgin of the rosary of Pompei every year. Two different worlds, paganism and Christianity that co-exist less than 800 meters from each other, so close but yet so far apart in their principals and aspirations.

Pompei is known throughtout the world for the tragedy that stuck the city in 79 A.D., when it was buried by the eruption of Vesuvius, together with Stabiae, Oplontis and Ercolano. After almost 2000 years, archaeologists have unearthed the buried city, almost fully intact, the study which gives us a clear idea of how the daily life was organized at the time. The forum, the baths, the amphiteatre and the marketplace attest to the richness of ancient Pompei. 

ERCOLANO
Popular legends narrates that the city was founded by Hercules, however ancient literary manuscripts speak about the area being occupied by a denomination of the Opici-Osci, followed by the Etruscans and later by the Sannini. 

The Archaeological site of Ercolano became part of the Patrimonio dell'umanità UNESCO, and constitutes an important find for archaeologist that study what  has enabled them to better understand daily life 2000 years ago.

OPLONTI
A luxurios villa that is considered by the archaeologist to have been the summer residence of the Empress Poppea Sabina, the second wife of the Roman Emperor Nero.  This imposing structure is decorated with precious wall paintings and opulent statues of both Greek and Roman influence.

PAESTUM
The most important Greek archaeological site south of Naples, it is situated at the extreme end of the Sele plain and it was founded by the Greeks in the fifth century b.C. Conquired by the Romans in 243 B.C., the former Poseidonia became Paestum in 273 b.C.. Of particular interest, the Basilica Temple of Era, the Temple of Neptune, the largest and best preserved of the temples, and the Temple of Cerere. The ruins have brought to light the remains of the ancient city including both public and religoius buildings, streets and fortified city walls. Its museum contains important archaeological artefacts amongst them, hand painted funeral ornaments, votive offerings in terracotta and fragments of architectural adornments.

S.MARIA CAPUA VETERE
The core of the old city of Santa Maria Capua Vetere is the  Anfiteatro,  the largest sized capacity structure in the Empire. From its gladiator school, came the revolt of Spartacus. A small but interesting museum, illustrates a typical day in the life of a gladiator.  

L'ANFITEATRO DI POZZUOLI
One of the largest arenas in Italy, it was build by the emperor Vespasiano, around 70 A.D. and it was destined to hold some of Italy's most important Roman architectural monuments. At 149 meters high, it is ne of the largest arenas in Italy, after the Colosseum and the Amphiteatre of Capua. the patron saint of Naples, Gennaro, was imprisoned here when he was Bishop of Benevento.