The buried cities: Stabia, Oplonti and Boscoreale
Tour Description
GUIDED TOUR of the BURIED CITIES OF STABIA, OPLONTIS AND BOSCOREALE
As well as the more famous towns of Pompeii and Herculaneum, Stabia, Oplontis and Boscoreale were buried in the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 A.D. Each site enables us to elaborate the phases of eruption and daily life in Vesuvian towns.
STABIA (about 2 hours)
There are lots of residential Roman villas on the Varano hill; some of them, like “Villa San Marco” and “Villa Arianna,” can be visited.
Villa San Marco (covering an area of 11,000 square metres) is one of the biggest and is almost completely excavated and well preserved.
It enables visitors to understand the life of leisure which Roman patricians led, as you wander through the kitchens, thermal baths, beautifully frescoed dining rooms and splendid gardens overlooking the Bay of Naples.
Villa Arianna is a sumptuous home (area 2,500 square metres) of which only a part can be visited.
The villa is ideal for appreciating miniature decorations of mythical figures, flying creatures and cherubs, which shows the high standard of living and refined taste of the owners.
OPLONTIS (about 1 hour)
A UNESCO site since 1997, the archaeological area that can be visited is the so-called Poppea’s Villa; Sabina Poppea was the second wife of the emperor Nero.
Only half of it has been brought to light but it is notable for the rare beauty of its frescoes in the second Pompeian style.
Passing through the kitchens to the baths, you will come to the pool, which is 60 metres long, surrounded by a garden with a restful atmosphere.
BOSCOREALE (about 1 ½ hour)
Besides the notable luxury villas, you can also step into the reality of the rustic houses to understand better the productive activities of real Vesuvian life.
A perfect example is the Villa Regina, the only one that can be visited among 40 other suburban villas in this area.
The Antiquarium annexe, a museum, completes the appreciation of the surroundings and how they influenced the inhabitants’ lives.
You can admire unique relics such as food, objects, fossils and lots more from over 2,000 years ago.
- Entrance fees are not included in the tour price
- The sites can be combined with one another or with other sites. We suggest combining them with Mount Vesuvius, Herculaneum and/or Pompei.
DRESS CODE/USEFUL INFORMATION:
Sunglasses, sunhat, sun protection cream, comfortable shoes, water, camera, backpacks no larger than 30 x 30 x 15 cm, photocopy of ID / passport for 12 - 25 age group.
