Herculaneum Archaeological Park

Herculaneum was destroyed and buried by the catastrophic eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79, the same event that buried nearby Pompeii. The town was instantly sealed under a superheated pyroclastic flow and deep volcanic mud.

The site was accidentally rediscovered in the early 18th century, initially by workers digging a well. Initial excavations were carried out via underground tunnels by treasure hunters, causing damage before formal archaeology began.

Because it was buried under extremely hot material and mud that carbonized organic matter, Herculaneum features unusually intact structures. Visitors can still see preserved wooden roofs, beds, and even food that rarely survive at Pompeii.

The archaeological park contains remarkably preserved structures like the Villa of the Papyri, which yielded a massive library of carbonized scrolls. The site also features intact bathhouses and multi-story residential buildings.