Visiting Herculaneum: a journey back in time to the Ancient Roman Empire
Now a UNESCO world heritage site, Herculaneum is one of the most fascinating archaeological destinations in the Naples area. It only takes 15 minutes to get there from Hotel Tiempo and you will be able to immerse yourself in history and admire the remains of an ancient Roman town buried and well preserved beneath volcanic ash when Vesuvius erupted in 79 A.D.. There is even a virtual museum which will take you on a wonderful journey back through time to life in Herculaneum before the eruption.
Getting to Herculaneum
Getting to Herculaneum from Hotel Tiempo is really easy:
By the Circumvesuviana train (Naples-Sorrento Line), a short 5-minute walk from the hotel (Gianturco Station).
By car, a 15-minute drive from the hotel along the A3 (exit Herculaneum).
The Herculaneum excavation site
An archaeological site of 5 hectares which is extraordinarily well preserved thanks to a surge of solidified pyroclastic material which formed a stone blanket over the town at an average height of 20 metres, protecting the area from decay and looters. Here you will be able to stroll through the ancient alleyways of Herculaneum, walk around the private homes, explore the spas and look around the shops, all of which are practically intact.
The excavation site is open every day from 8:30 in the morning until 3.30 in the afternoon (1st November until 31st March), and every day between 8.30 and 6 in the evening (1st April until 31st October). Furthermore, admission is free of charge if you go on the first Sunday of each month.
The MAV
The Virtual Archaeological Museum of Herculaneum: this place brings you a multi-sensory experience with seventy multimedia installations featuring interfaces and holograms. Here you can journey far back in time and immerse yourself in the history of Pompeii, Herculaneum, Baiae, Stabiae and Capri before Vesuvius erupted in 79 A.D..
The MAV is open every day between 9 a.m. and 5.30 p.m. from 1st March to 31st May, every day between 10 a.m. and 6.30 p.m. from 1st June to 30th September, and from Tuesday to Sunday (closed on Mondays) between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. from 1st October to 28th February.
