AN ANCIENT Italian “beach” has reopened to the public for the first time in nearly 2,000 years.
Holidaymakers can now visit the entire surface of an ancient beach that was buried by Mount Vesuvius in 79AD.
The huge volcano covered ancient cities like Pompeii and Herculaneum in a blanket of volcanic ash that was three metres thick.
Often dubbed Pompeii’s little sister, the ancient complex Herculaneum (Ercolano) is sometimes overlooked by holidaymakers.
But the site might be set to get a new wave of visitors thanks to the opening of an ancient “beach”.
The “beach” was first discovered between the 1980s and 1990s and reopened to the public on Wednesday (June 19, 2024) following an extensive restoration project.
Archaeologists believe the area is where more than 300 men tried to escape the huge volcanic eruption as they awaited rescue.
Francesco Sirano, Director of Herculaneum Archaeological Park, said: “After three years of intense work aimed at enhancing the ancient beach of the Herculaneum excavations, through the drainage and filling of the area formerly occupied by the beach, visitors are given the opportunity to freely access the entire area and to understand the dynamics that led to the burial of the city.”
Meanwhile, the Italian Minster of Culture Gennaro Sangiuliano added: “Herculaneum, Pompeii, Oplontis: we are working on many projects.
“In the budget law we have refinanced the excavations and there are construction sites that are active like never before and are revealing new treasures, which fuel the activity of scholars.
“We believe in all of this: in creating, connecting, strengthening this area which UNESCO has also recognised as of great value and which is one of the most important archaeological areas in the world.
“Because we are convinced that this will represent a opportunity for socio-economic development.”
The lesser-known archaeological site has been praised by visitors online, with more than 8,000 glowing reviews on TripAdvisor.
One person wrote: “It’s seriously impressive. It’s much smaller than Pompeii but it’s much better preserved.”
Another person added: “It’s more compact than Pompeii but Herculaneum is extremely fascinating – I can’t recommend it enough.”
Someone else said: “This is such an amazing little Roman town – it may be a fifth the size of its more famous cousin Pompeii but I definitely preferred it!
“The preservation of many of the buildings is absolutely unbelievable; I have never seen upper storeys or wood in a Roman site before. I lost count of my ‘oh wow’ comments.”
Herculaneum is a 20-minute drive from Naples and it can also be reached via a train, which takes just 30 minutes.
It can also be easily reached from Sorrento – a popular town on the Amalfi Coast.
From Sorrento, it’s an hour’s drive to Herculaneum, with plenty of tours operating between the two sites.
There are plenty of actual beaches in the area too, including Marina Grande on the island of Capri, which is known for its brightly-coloured umbrellas and crystal-clear waters.
Closer to Naples, there’s also Spiaggia della Gaiola – a tiny craggy beach that’s part of a protected marine park.
And there are plenty of other secluded spots in Italy only locals seem to know about, including Ponza.
Ponza
Ponza is part of the Pontine archipelago in the Tyrrhenian Sea, and it is home to beaches that rival Capri — but for a fraction of the price.
One of the more rustic Italian islands, with its untouched natural landscapes, hidden coves and sea caves.
To get there, you can hop on a train from Rome‘s main station, Termini, to the port city of Anzio. The journey takes just over an hour and costs around £5.
Here’s what it’s like to visit Herculaneum
TRAVEL reporter Ryan Gray recently visited Herculaneum on a trip to Naples – here’s what he thought of the ancient site.
Herculaneum gets somewhat overshadowed by its neighbour Pompeii, which is a far larger site, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t still well worth a visit.
On the contrary, Herculaneum offers an altogether clearer glimpse into how a town might’ve looked and operated in the days before the volcanic eruption caught everyone by surprise in 79AD, with better preserved homes and businesses.Â
The frescoes on the walls are also better maintained, with more vivid colours on display than those at its more famous counterpart.
What’s more, Herculaneum tends to get fewer visitors because it’s lesser-known, making it a more relaxing tourist experience.Â
While the bus-loads can be found swarming around Pompeii, only a handful of people tend to take the time to head to Herculaneum, meaning it can be explored at a more leisurely pace.
Meanwhile, here are the 100 best beaches in the world to visit in 2024 – and four from the UK have made the cut.
And one tiny UK town has been compared to a stunning Italian island.