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Pompeii, Italy (UNESCO-World Heritage Site)

The eruption of Vesuvius was clearly a harrowing ordeal… resulting destruction of Pompeii. All Photos are COPYRIGHT and PROPERTY of Rafal K. Komierowski.

Pompeii was discovered by chance by Domenico Fontana at the end of the sixteenth century during the reclamation work in the area.

An exclusive resort town previous to the eruption of Vesuvius, the preservation of ancient Pompeii is a wonder to behold.

Today, Pompeii is a World Heritage Site, and one of the most famous archaeological sites in the world.

A pattern from an ancient wall located in Pompeii, the roman city buried by Vesuvius during its eruption of 79 B.C

Close up to ancient City Walls next to Porta Marina at entrance to Pompeii

Porta Marina and the City Walls of Pompeii

Pompeii was probably founded by the Etruscans during their expansion into Campania in the 7th century BC.

Temple of Apollo in Pompeii with Mount Vesuvius in the background.

The statue of Apollo in the Temple of Apollo, Pompeii. Temple of Apollo It is an integral part of the Forum area.

The statue of Apollo in the Temple of Apollo, Pompeii.

A pattern from an ancient wall located next to Temple of Apollo, Pompeii

Ancient clay vases in Pompeii

Forum in Pompeii was the center of life and interest in the ancient days and is now the most imposing and spacious spot in the city.

The Forum Arcade resting on columns, Pompeii

A row of upright ancient vases in Pompeii

Plastered clay body (plaster casts were created ) victim of the eruption of Mt.Vesuvius that buried Pompeii.

Plastered clay body (plaster casts were created ) victim of the eruption of Mt.Vesuvius that buried Pompeii.

Mummified remains found. This is a dramatic example of the death that overtook the people of Pompeii

Plastered statue of woman recreated from the times of ancient Pompeii

The wall with arch looked much like a modern brick wall built with the joints between them, Pompeii

Streets in Pompeii were extremely varied, some built with solid Roman engineering and underlain with water conduits.

View towards Forum, Pompeii

Once cracked steps lead to a restored wall, Pompeii

The raised blocks of igneous rock, like stepping stones, which would have enabled people to cross the road without stepping down into the water and mess.

As you walk through the streets of Pompeii one of the most striking features of the city is the very deep grooves left on the paving stones.

Incredible cart paths in the stone, Pompeii

The serious Pompeii tourist checking map and guide booklets..

... can still see some mosaic left in Pompeii

On the ground floor the small cold pool at courtyard, Pompeii

Brick wall: these patterns of construction depended on lime mortar to hold the elements together.

Brick wall: these patterns of construction depended on lime mortar to hold the elements together.

Brick wall: these patterns of construction depended on lime mortar to hold the elements together.

Builders used bricks to construct vent walls and an arch which contains the vent opening in a bakery shop, Pompeii

The stone and brick ovens uncovered in ancient Pompeii

Red brick archway at local ancient bakery, Pompeii

Mount Vesuvius overlooks Pompeii ruins

In Pompeii many columns were made of brick and covered with stucco...

Mount Vesuvius overlooks Pompeii ruins

Instead of a solid wall of bricks or stone blocks, a Pompeii wall more often had facings of brick or stone, a cavity in the center filled with rubble and mortar or packed clay, and a coating of plaster.

Close-up of an ancient courtyard desing and art, Pompeii

Close-up of an ancient courtyard desing and art, Pompeii

The Large Fountain at the House of the Large Fountain

Pompeii was surrounded by a city wall and it had a sewerage system

The theatre in Pompeii shows the features of Greek models in that it exploits the natural inclination of the terrain

The Roman-type theatre on the other hand depends on an architectural structure, Pompeii

Arcaded Court of the Gladiators. After 62 A.D. the Arcaded Court was changed into a barracks for gladiators.Pompeii

The typical streets in Pompeii were built of paving stones of basalt, a rugged igneous rock.

A view of Forum and Vesuvius in the background, Pompeii

There is ample documentation of the Roman house in Pompeii, from modest dwellings to large and magnificent villas with sumptuous decorations.

Taking cues from Pompeii frescoes, the ruins of the city can be used to learn about everyday life in the doomed city.

Pompeii house, was looked upon as a -refuge- and the heart of the family s private life.

....model of Roman wagon in Pompeii....

In most homes, no matter how small, frescoes adorned the walls, Pompeii

The atrium is an inner courtyard open to the sky.

A Roman street in Pompeii.

Pompeii street is occupied by a row of shops with a portico in front of them....

A fresco on the wall of one of the homes in Pompeii.

An original Pompeii fresco in the hall of a Roman tavern

Roman street in Pompeii with chariot grooves in the stone and stepping stones for pedestrians

Entrance to courtyard at Stabian Baths, Pompeii

Once it was famous for its brothels, Pompeii

The most famous brothel in Pompeii is Lupanar of Pompeii. There are remnants of a bed made of brick ....comfortable ???

Erotic art was interpreted and understood differently than today. What mostly attract attention are little erotic paintings presenting different sexual positions.

Under each fresco you can find a price – from 2 to 8 assi (to compare: a portion of wine cost 1 assi).

Our idea of sexuality doesn t have anything in common with the ancient one where there was no chance for a partnership.

Locals in ancient Pompeii loved art, politics and sex. Al these frescoes in the brothels of Pompeii which indicated each particular womans specialty.

Pompeii s main street, leading from the Forum

Again, view of Forum and Vesuvius in the background, Pompeii

Pompeii Basilica

Columns at Basilica, Pompeii

Last view of the Walls of Pompeii from the entrance/exit...

Stylized erotic ceiling frescoes based on ancient Pompeii at Tourist Information office located approximately 50 m from the entrance

Stylized erotic ceiling frescoes based on ancient Pompeii at Tourist Information office located approximately 50 m from the entrance

( Vertical view) Plastered statue of woman recreated from the times of ancient Pompeii