The Views From Mount Vesuvius

Mount Vesuvius has to be one of the most famous volcanoes on Earth. Of course, what it’s most famous for is the destruction of the Roman town of Pompeii (and four other towns) in AD79.

Mount Vesuvius as seen from Pompeii

The views from the top of Vesuvius, at around 4200 feet above sea level, are stunning. To the south, they include the archaeological excavation at Pompeii (once you get your eye in).

The view south from the top of Vesuvius

The ruins of Pompeii

To the east, is the city of Naples and, closer at hand, the modern towns of Ercolano and Torre del Greco. The Roman predecessors of Ercolano (called Herculaneum) and Torre del Greco were two of the other towns destroyed by the same eruption that buried Pompeii. I hope to be visiting Herculaneum in April.

Torre del Greco and the Bay of Naples

Ercolano (left) and Naples in the distance

Fun with horizons

Of course, standing on the top of Vesuvius, there’s another type of view. One much closer at hand, but no less impressive: down into the volcano’s crater.

And let’s not forget that Vesuvius is still active! Which makes being up there all the more exciting!

Sulphur deposits inside the crater

A fumarole, releasing volcanic gasses and steam

It’s possible to drive up into the Valle del Gigante (Giant’s Valley), which lies between the rim of the older crater of Mount Somma and the more recent cone of Mount Vesuvius. But the last part of the climb must be made on foot.

Valle del Gigante and the crater rim of Mount Somma

The path up to the summit of Vesuvius

Looking back into Valle del Gigante

This post was inspired by the photo themes of Looking Down on Things from Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge, and also Cee’s Which Way Challenge and Jo’s Monday Walk.

The first two Jaspa’s Journey adventures, The Great Migration and The Pride of London, are now available in both paperback and ebook formats! Click here for more information. The third instalment, Jaspa’s Waterloo, is scheduled to be released by Speaking Volumes later this year.

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