This is a town and a municipality situated in the region of Naples at the southern part of Italy,Campania. The town lies at Mount Vesuvius western foot on the bay of Naples at the southeast part of the city of Naples. The ancient town was built the remnants of a volcanic eruption of Vesuvius which destroyed Herculaneum, an ancient city from which Ercolano name is derived.
Mount Vesuvius
During your visit in Ercolano you cannot fail to give one of the most recognized volcano mountains in the world.
Mount Vesuvius is an immediately recognizable landmark with its peak forming the surroundings of Naples. This ominous mount is recorded as the smallest active volcano mount and spitting and steaming sporadically reminding the surrounding environs that it is still a potential threat.
The highest point of the mountain reaches to an approximated 1280 meters above sea level with the bus or a private taxi will take you for the first 1000 meters from where you can take a trail up to the crater.
The current crater of Mount Vesuvius measures a depth of 230 meters and a diameter of 650 meters. There a several openings at the base of the crater which discharged most of the molten lava from 1631 to 1944, the last time the volcano erupted.
A visit to mount Vesuvius gives a spectacular view of the crater with some of its rising fumes and the different lava stones which changes in color as you hike uphill and around its crater. When there is good weather you can enjoy the view of the neighboring Pompeii as well as the Bay of Naples.
On one of the mountain’s side you will see the disfigured scenery where the lava streams went downhill and the remnants of the funicular railway that was built in 1870 which last operated during the volcano’s eruption in 1944. Funiculi was also a song that had been composed to commemorate the grand opening of the railway.
The volcano was made a national park since 1995 and the place which was once up for commercial exploitation is now a preservation of fauna and a place of natural paths.
A visit to this mountain is not regarded as unsafe but adequate preparation is advisable since getting to the top requires a foot trail which is slightly above 200 meters. Do not make the mistake of coming with a just a t-shirt since it is a little colder and therefore while planning to take a visit to this mount, you may require a hat, rain gear, sun screen and water.
Getting to Ercolano one has several options starting by bus where buses make frequent trips from Naples to Ercolano and back.
By train it takes around 25 minutes from Naples and additional 20 minutes if from Sorrento. Get off at the Ercolano Scavi station to get to the ruins from where you will exit into a tiny square from where you can purchase tour tickets from private offices. Nevertheless it is vital to note that there are only two stations along this Naples- Sorrento line i.e. Ercolano and the Ercolano Scavi. It is from this station (Scavi) from where you take a bus or a taxi to Mount Vesuvius.
While using a car to get to Ercolano from Naples, be prepared to pay a toll of 2 Euros which is charged for using any part of the highway’s stretch. Parking might be quite hard to find but try parking your car at the southern entrance of the excavations, behind the police station.
The following few tips to Ercolano will make your visit worth the while:
a) Combine your visit to the ruins with a climb at Mount Vesuvius.
b) Hire a tour guide to take you through the archeological sites, alternatively purchase a book guide sold outside the ruins and you will not require the services of the tour guides.
c) The tour buses arrive between 11am and 2 pm and thus you may either go early or late to catch up with them.
Discover what to see in Ercolano