"Then, on the coast, are Naples, also Chalcidian, called Partenope from the tomb of the Siren, Herculaneum, Pompeii, with Vesuvius that can be seen not far away, with the river Sarno that bathes it, the Nocerino territory and Nuceria itself nine miles from the sea, Sorrento with the promontory of Minerva, once the home of the Sirens."
(Pliny the Elder)
The town of Herculaneum rises on the slopes of Vesuvius and owes its name to the legend that says it was founded by Hercules. An ancient settlement, it was first occupied by the Oscans, then by the Etruscans, later by the Samnites until it became a Municipium of Rome. Surrounded by greenery and not far from the sea, Herculaneum, in Roman times, was above all a place of leisure and holiday for wealthy patricians, although a good number of citizens lived there permanently. During the eruption of 79 A.D., it was submerged by mud and volcanic debris, which solidified to form a thick solid layer that allowed for good preservation of the architectural structures and elements made of organic material (such as wood), in contrast to Pompeii, which was instead submerged by ash and lapilli. After the feudal period and the eruption of 1631, life in the town slowly resumed, but underwent a real development at the beginning of the 18th century when Prince d'Elbeuf purchased an agricultural estate, subject to ancient finds. From this time on, and especially during the reign of the Bourbons, numerous excavation campaigns were organised that aroused great interest throughout Europe. Moreover, it was during this period that Herculaneum became part of the famous and enchanting Miglio d'Oro, a portion of territory that today lies between San Giovanni a Teduccio and Torre del Greco. In this area, nestling at the foot of Vesuvius and overlooking the Gulf of Naples, numerous Vesuvian villas with sumptuous architecture and gardens full of flowers and citrus fruits (hence the name Miglio d'Oro - Golden Mile) sprang up, inhabited by aristocrats and Bourbon royalty in search of peace and natural beauty. Today, Herculaneum is a popular destination for many travellers because of its historical and cultural beauty and its very short distance from Pompeii, Naples and Vesuvius, where it is possible to go on suggestive excursions and admire a boundless panorama from above.
One of the experiences to be had in Herculaneum is certainly a visit to its famous archaeological site. Walking around the excavations of Herculaneum and imagining life in the time of Imperial Rome gives travellers endless emotions, who are immediately projected into ancient and solemn atmospheres, where public buildings and small dwellings alternate with large patrician villas (such as the House of the Mosaic Atrium, the House of Galba, the House of the Hotel) whose frescoes and decorations offer unique suggestions, capable of taking us back in time. In the immediate vicinity of the archaeological site we also find the MAV (Virtual Archaeological Museum), which uses new technologies to tell and illustrate to visitors, in an accurate and exciting way, how life was in the city a few days after the tragic eruption. In addition to the excavations, Herculaneum is also worth a visit to the elegant Villa Campolieto, an 18th-century Vesuvian villa, famous for its large circular portico and its view of the sea, on which the architect Luigi Vanvitelli, the same who designed the famous Reggia di Caserta, also worked. In the city's main square, the basilica of Santa Maria Pugliano will welcome you with its ancient history dating back to the 11th century and its works of art, which bear witness to a long history of traditions and popular devotion. You can also stop by the Resina market, a large second-hand market where vintage is expressed in all its forms, composed of numerous stands mainly dedicated to clothing and fashion accessories. Finally, not far from the centre of Ercolano is the Vesuvius National Park, which can also be reached by a city bus service. Here you can enjoy an excursion (suitable for everyone) along the slopes of the volcano to the summit, where you will be enchanted by the crater, sometimes affected by the fumarole phenomenon, and by the boundless view of the Gulf of Naples.
The gastronomic tradition of Herculaneum is closely linked to that of Naples, to which are added particular products, typical of the Vesuvian hinterland, which we will discuss in a moment. Pizza is a food that cannot be missed: whether in the classic version (we are talking about the famous margherita) or the gourmet version, it will amaze you with its artfully kneaded dough and choice of genuine, local ingredients. Also here, as in Naples, we find an excellent choice of street food such as 'a portafoglio' pizzas, crocchè, and stuffed calzoni. For first courses, pasta with meat sauce and spaghetti with seafood (especially clams and mussels) deserve a special place; if you can, also try pasta alla genovese, which is seasoned with a sauce made with onions and meat that becomes almost a cream with a sweet and intense flavour. The ideal local wine to accompany your meal is Lacryma Christi del Vesuvio (white, red or rosé) made exclusively from Vesuvian grapes. Desserts, too, are those typical of the Neapolitan tradition: babà, sfogliatelle, capresi and pastiere await you, in both classic and revisited versions. Finally, if you get the chance, don't forget to try the Vesuvius apricots, the so-called 'crisommole', which are particularly sweet and tasty due to the high concentration of potassium in the soil where they are grown.
Events in Herculaneum are diverse, and are all deeply rooted in the identity and folklore of the place. On the last weekend of August and the first weekend of September, the Sagra del Pesce (Fish Festival) is held, an event organised by the Italian Red Cross of the Herculaneum Committee, during which CRI volunteers prepare fresh fish dishes amidst music and dancing performances. A very heartfelt event, then, is the patron saint's festival held on 15 August in which spirituality and civic identity meet: the town, in fact, celebrates Our Lady of the Assumption, but also commemorates the baronial liberation that took place on 14 August 1699. The first weekend in October is the feast of San Vito martire (the feast is supposed to take place in June, but the district of San Vito was inhabited by peasants who at that time were busy harvesting apricots from Vesuvius): during this occasion, the most important moment is the procession with the statue of the saint, at the end of which there is the famous Flight of the Angel, in which volunteers suspended by a rope 'fly' over the crowd in honour of the saint. Finally, on 19 September, it is the turn of the Feast of San Gennaro: an event full of initiatives, which ends in the evening with the impressive fireworks display at sea. But the events in Herculaneum do not end here. Many of them, in fact, concern initiatives and appointments distributed throughout the year, especially at the archaeological site and the Vesuvian villas. Between shows, exhibitions and free admissions, in fact, the calendar is always full of initiatives, so we advise you to check the scheduled events if you are about to organise a trip and make a stop in this city.
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