We learn about it in childhood and see images throughout our lives, and today we visited Pompeii for the first time. There were more tourist groups than we saw in Herculaneum, but it was far from crowded. I was quite amazed at the size this city once was, and that it sits with a perfect view to Mt Vesuvius, the cause of its destruction. The picture was taken from the forum looking toward the mountain, and it’s been interesting to see Vesuvius looming wherever we’ve gone. We spent hours walking through the streets, glad to have seen the relics in the museum as little is left to see but the shells of the buildings and businesses you’d encounter in a town. There was one wonderful floor mosaic that is probably everyone’s favorite…a large dog, wearing a red collar, and the inscription as you step into the portico, “Cave Canum” (Beware of the Dog). In an effort to help the stray dogs around Pompeii, they wear red collars, and an outreach is made to adopt them to good homes. At the end of the day, we were amongst the last stragglers to leave, and we enjoyed this forum by twilight and a rising moon.
At the end of the day, when I downloaded my photos, guess who I thought of when I discovered I’d taken 365 pictures! What a funny coincidence!
What a beautiful capture, Louise!! We went ten years ago and hiked to the top of Mt Vesuvius and walked all the way around the rim. It was amazing to see the wisps of smoke rising from the crater and to realize that it could blow again. It was an amazing adventure! Thanks for sharing this lovely photo and reminding me of a fantastic trip.
@parisouailleurs@cglist@melissapike It's such fun to have a few minutes to add a few new pictures, though we're now in Rome, making me a bit in arrears. Am seeing so many sights, I'm on overload; what a wonderful history lesson & a visual extravaganza! Thanks for the notes!
@pinktornado39 It's been such fun to read notes from those who've traveled this road before me! What A LOT there would be to enjoy here! Even with a week-per-city, we'll only barely scratch the surface!
Oh Louise, what a wonderful picture of Pompeii, with Mt. Vesuvius as your back drop! When we were there is was raining, (actually pouring), and we didn't get the perspective of the mountain in the back ground. What a beautiful day you must have had. And I truely know what you mean when you say you are on "overload", with so much history and visual stimulation! It is amazing! Continue to have fun....and get some rest once in a while....
It must be very difficult to select one image of 365! How timely this post is, though. As a child I was fascinated by the story of Pompeii, but I assumed the tragedy that occured there would never happen again. But now it is happening in Maylasia. I saw images of people in a village there who were trapped & overcome just as the residents of Pompeii were. Serious stuff.
Latin was one of my favorite classes in school - not that I was any good at the language - but the history fascinated me. I would love to get to Pompeii someday and your picture has reminded me of that. Gorgeous!
Looks like that camera is working out for you. This photo is gorgeous! I'm so glad that you had a good weather day to roam the ruins of Pompeii. Isn't it just the most amazing place? I'm envious that you had so much time to wander the city. We were on a tour and had the ol' "keep moving, folks" routine. I would love to have lingered at one of their "wine bars" (ha!) or contemplated the history of the place with it's chariot-rutted cobblestone streets and the amazingly intact artwork and statuary. Oh, and now you probably know what I was referring to when I said they adorned their walls with some rather frisky frescoes! Holy Cow! Now there's an education for ya'! :-)
Wow, this is definitely on my "must see" list -- I have to get there someday to see it with my own eyes. However, looking at it through your eyes will do for now! :)
I'm so glad you are having such an amazing time over there!
I was so surprised when I saw this bright & happy image was from your visit to Pompei...when my parents went, my Mom took a lot of pictures that were very somber & almost graphic. I guess it's hard not to. I actually cried looking at her pictures of some the ashy figures.
I love that you took 365 pictures that day alone, I can't even imagine what your grand total will be for your entire trip. Thanks for sharing, another beautiful postcard!
My dad fought in Anzio and Rome (amongst other places) during WWII. http://365project.org/hwy61/365/2010-11-11 He also visited Pompei because I remember seeing some of his photos.
Great photo! There was a Pompeii exhibition in Melbourne last year; it gave me a different insight to what I thought had happened and learned at school. At first it seemed like an ordinary exhibition, showing artefacts etc, but then there was a section as to how the actual disaster happened, and what the people staying in Pompeii would have experienced during the worst of the eruption. It was extremely sad, but amazing too.
i love this shot with the mountain hovering there in the background above this ancient city. what a fascinating place. i felt similarly when we were in israel--i was amazed at how sophisticated the city remains were from SO long ago.
what an amazing sight! i remember doing a group project on this in elementary school. if i remember right, we sang "Mt. Vesuvius" to phil collin's "psuedio" song...haha! thanks for blowing the dust off of that memory!! so wonderful that the community is trying to help their less fortunate animals too!
I have been to this amazing place and shocked to read in the papers that parts of it are crumbling into rubble - you make it look beautiful even under cloud. Interesting story of your day.
Wow. I haven't traveled there (obviously!) and this is just so stunning. I would be all over the place trying to get photos. Really gorgeous photos of everything.
Fab pic. Dont know how much of Pompeii will be left in a few years time...apparently its literally falling apart. Love the composition of this pic with the column...reminds me of the sunrise to dark day we spent in Petra...still not enough time to drink it all in.
I'm so glad you are having such an amazing time over there!
I love that you took 365 pictures that day alone, I can't even imagine what your grand total will be for your entire trip. Thanks for sharing, another beautiful postcard!
Thanks for sharing all of these sights!
It must have been terrifying at the time of the eruption.
We have not been there, but would love to go one day.
LOVE the view here. Fabulous....and thank you for sharing. I'm likely never to get there...so I'm enjoying your pics.