Top Attractions in Ercolano

Ercolano Essentials

Ercolano, the modern site of ancient Herculaneum, offers a remarkably preserved glimpse into Roman life. Unlike nearby Pompeii, the town was buried in volcanic mud, which carbonized wood and organic materials. This list features the archaeological site's highlights, including the House of the Wooden Screen and the Neptune and Amphitrite mosaic. It also includes the Virtual Archaeological Museum (MAV), the Royal Palace of Portici, and the ascent to Mount Vesuvius, the volcano that shaped the region's history in 79 AD.

Ercolano Essentials — Map

Kaihsu Tai / CC BY-SA 3.0

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Archaeological Area of Herculaneum

Herculaneum was an ancient Roman town, located in the modern-day comune of Ercolano, Campania, Italy.

Dr.Conati / Public domain

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Mount Vesuvius

Mount Vesuvius is a somma-stratovolcano located on the Gulf of Naples in Campania, Italy, about 9 km east of Naples and a short distance…

Ferdinando Scala / CC BY 3.0

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Royal Palace of Portici

The Royal Palace of Portici is a former royal palace in Portici, Southeast of Naples along the coast, in the region of Campania, Italy.

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D

Villa of the Papyri

The Villa of the Papyri was an ancient Roman villa in Herculaneum, in what is now Ercolano, southern Italy.

sculpteur antique décédé au Ier siècle / Public domain

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Teatro romano di Ercolano

An ancient Roman theater buried deep underground, accessible through 18th-century tunnels. It remains largely encased in volcanic rock but showcases impressive architectural dimensions.

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MAV Museo Archeologico Virtuale di Ercolano

A multimedia museum featuring virtual reconstructions, holographic installations, and multisensory exhibits that recreate ancient Herculaneum and Pompeii as they appeared before the 79 AD eruption.

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Mosaico di Nettuno e Anfitrite

A vibrant 1st-century wall mosaic located in the triclinium of a private residence, depicting the Roman sea god Neptune and his wife Amphitrite.

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Boat Exhibition

A permanent display featuring a carbonized Roman wooden boat discovered at the ancient shoreline, alongside various maritime artifacts and tools found during excavations.

Mentnafunangann / CC BY-SA 3.0

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House of the Wooden Screen

An aristocratic residence featuring a rare, carbonized wooden partition used to separate the atrium from the tablinum, showcasing the unique preservation of organic materials in Herculaneum.

Mboesch / CC BY-SA 3.0

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House of the Stags

A wealthy seafront villa known for its large garden and marble sculptures of stags being attacked by hounds, offering insights into the luxury of the Roman elite.

Mentnafunangann / CC BY-SA 3.0

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Central Baths

A 1st-century thermal complex divided into male and female sections, featuring vaulted ceilings, floor mosaics, and remarkably intact heating systems.

MatthiasKabel / CC BY-SA 3.0

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House of the Skeleton

An ancient residence containing multiple nymphaeums and mosaics, named after human remains discovered in an upper-floor room during early excavations.

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