Vesuvius - Vesuv

The Vesuvius is a still active volcano near by Naples, mainly due to the historical eruption in AD 79, which is now considered archaeological sites Pompeii as Herculaneum and Stabiae is known to have been spilled.

background

Of the original volcanic cone, Monte Somma, only a crescent-shaped wall can be seen in the northeast after the eruption of 79 AD. The whole center collapsed and formed one Caldera, a volcanic crater 4 km in diameter, in which the current Vesuvius cone is located Gran Cono also formed a central crater.

Since its last eruption in 1944, Vesuvius has been in a phase of rest and currently only shows activity in the form of rising plumes of smoke ("fumaroles").

history

The volcanic massif was probably formed 25,000 years ago. Archaeological finds testify to an eruption around 1,800 BC. In the region of Avellino Bronze Age finds of a village buried under a thick layer of volcanic ash and partially preserved were found. At Afragola footprints are preserved in the volcanic ash of fleeing residents.

The most famous eruption occurred in 79 AD. This eruption is from the Roman writer Pliny the Elder. Younger has been described who told the historian Tacitus about the fate of his uncle Pliny the Elder. Elderly, who died in the disaster, reported in the form of a letter.^[1] Since Vesuvius had been quiet for centuries before this volcanic eruption, the volcanic eruption hit the people on the slopes of Vesuvius with its fertile soils relatively unprepared. After the eruption of 79 AD, Vesuvius remained active for several centuries. In the 2nd - 6th century eruptions are reported until Vesuvius was once again considered extinct in the Middle Ages.

In the 17th / 18th century there were always eruptions. From 1878 there was a year-long activity with the destruction of villages, also in 1904/1906. The last major eruption occurred in March 1944. In addition to an American field airfield, small towns on the slopes of Vesuvius were again destroyed. In the danger zone "Zona rossa" there are evacuation plans in the event of an increase in volcanic activity, but there is lively illegal construction activity on the slopes of Vesuvius ...

getting there

The ascent of Vesuvius has belonged since the 18th century. to Grand Tour and was also made by J.W. described by Goethe. First the mountain was conquered by the wealthy guests by carriage and on mounts. In 1839 the railroad took off Circumvesuviana to Resina (Herculaneum) the operation. From 1880 you could take the cog railway Funicolare del Vesuvio drive almost to the summit. This rack railway was at the beginning of the 20th century. replaced by a narrow-gauge railway, which was badly damaged by the volcanic eruption in 1906 shortly after construction began. After repair work, it remained in operation until 1943. In 1953 the lift was replaced by a chairlift, which remained in operation until 1984, but often had to cease operations due to operational disruptions from cross winds.

Since then, the 1955 has been up to an altitude of 1000 m above sea level. The road on the west side is the main access route to the Vesuvius crater. From the parking lot, the remaining 200 meters in altitude must be covered on foot on a gravel path.

Another entrance is on the east side of the mountain.

By plane

The nearest airport is that 40.88444444444414.290833333333Naples airport(IATA: NAP) - Capodichino.

By train

The town Naples is the "Frecce" express train network Trenitalia connected with the other Italian metropolises. From Naples you use them Circumvesuviana, which connects all villages around Vesuvius, to the buses or minibus taxis at the stations Ercolano Scavi or Pompeii Reach Scavi.

By bus

Bus routes, all operated by private companies, run from Naples, Herculaneum and Pompeii. It is also possible to take minibuses or shared taxis to Vesuvius. Their prices are sometimes excessive and the time to return is limited (clarify before departure!). It is also worth asking about the price of a normal taxi.

It is not possible to plan bus tours with different arrival and departure points, as the return journeys are booked before the outward journey.

From Naples

Drive to the car park to the west at an altitude of approx. 1000 m buses, twice a day Napoli Centrale. Allegedly the departure point is at the Hotel Terminus, but we did not find a stop marked accordingly.

From Herculaneum (Ercolano)

From the train station, shuttle buses run every 40 minutes from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (October, 2016). The price for the return trip including the fee to Vesuvius is 20 euros.

From Pompeii

From 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. there is a bus connection to Vesuvius every hour on the hour. The price for an adult is 21 euros (2016). The cost of entry and the return journey are already included. The ascent takes about 50 minutes, including changing to an all-terrain bus. At the change, the bus ticket is exchanged for the entrance ticket. Once at the top, 70 minutes are allowed to return. If you ask whether a later bus can also be taken, the answer is no. This means that around 40 minutes can be spent on the crater rim. A circumnavigation is not possible. We experienced that back then not all excursionists could be taken in the assigned bus (there is no standing room in the off-road bus), they were referred to the next bus. Since the route is only passable in one lane, it will take about 40 minutes until the next exit.

In the street

The western parking lot at 1000 m above sea level is problem-free Via Vesuvio of HerculaneumErcolano Scavi, then Via San Vito) or from Torre del Greco and then across the Via Vesuvio to be reached by private vehicle.
The parking lot is chargeable.

An alternative access route is the one via Torre Annunziata - Tre Case and the .

On foot

It is about 6 km on foot from the foot of the mountain to the summit.

mobility

Since the chairlift was closed, the summit has had to be a bit slippery on a well-developed but somewhat slippery slope Gravel road can be climbed on foot. For the steeply rising distance of approx. 800 m approx. 15 minutes are to be estimated. On the south-western edge of the crater can be circled on a secured footpath, the path must not be left.

Tourist Attractions

• Vesuvius itself offers a view of the crater's interior, which is now slightly overgrown. Fumaroles can be seen on the slopes, albeit significantly less than, for example, in 2005. In addition, you have a beautiful view of the cities of Naples, embedded between the mountains and the sea, and Scafati on the east side.

A fee is charged for the ascent of the Vesuvius cone, 8.00 / 5.50 €. Access is open daily at 9 a.m. and closes at 3 p.m. from November to February, 4 p.m. in March and October, 5 p.m. in April to June and September and 6 p.m. in July and August.

• Parco nazionale del Vesuviolast change: not specifiedType is group designation

activities

In addition to climbing the Vesuvius cone, which is often the only activity for visitors with limited time, there are marked hikes in the area of ​​the Vesuvius National Park.

shop

Drinks, food, souvenirs, volcanic rocks, real and artificial minerals are sold at the park entrance and also in mountain pubs on the Kraterrandweg.

kitchen

Drinks and little things can be bought at high prices in pubs near the parking lot on the west side and on the Kraterrandweg.

nightlife

The nightlife is more in the region Naples from. The access to the national park is closed at night.

accommodation

On the Website The National Park lists accommodations in hotels and agriturismi in the region.

health

The short steep climb to the crater rim sets one sufficient physical condition ahead. Because of the Risk of falling On the gravel path, you have to pay attention to non-slip shoes, but you keep stumbling across visitors in high heels who were apparently "up".

Because of the danger of falling, it is forbidden to leave the designated paths in the crater area.

The park supervisor can bring fall victims with off-road vehicles into medical care.

Practical advice

Sturdy shoes and, on some days, a windproof jacket are recommended.

trips

• Those interested in archeology should definitely visit the archaeological sites of Pompeii and Herculaneum recommended.

literature

Web links

• Parco Nazionale Vesuvio in www.parks.it, ital.

Individual evidence