Roman Pozzuoli

If you’re an ancient history enthusiast, your first port of call may be to go to Rome, after all, it is the home of the famous Colosseum, Pantheon and Roman Forum. However, if you’re a true Roman enthusiast, then you really should get yourself down to Pozzuoli.

With its location in the Bay of Naples making it the ideal Roman military (and then later commercial) port, and its relatively close proximity to Rome, Pozzuoli was one of the key hotspots of the Roman Empire, and therefore has a lot of relics and remains for tourists to explore.

If you want to combine your sense of adventure with your love of history, then why not try a spot of archaeological snorkelling! At Centro Sub Campi Flegrei, you will be taken out in a rib to one of the scuba centre’s archaeological sites, to see the fabulously preserved Roman remains that reside under the water.

As you swim around, looking down to the sea bed, trained scuba divers will wipe away the sand and reveal beautiful, detailed mosaics (we saw one of two fghting men which was absolutely breath-taking!) which gives you the best impression of what a Roman villa would have looked like all those years ago.

Your instructors will also dive down to retrieve ancient bits of pottery for you to look at up close, and even hold in your own hands!

If, after all that concrete history, you’re in the mood for a little murky mythology, why not head to the supposed gates of hell (sounds welcoming right!) The Sybil’s Cave, or the Antro della Sibilia, is the most celebrated site at the Cumae Archaeological Park due to its fascinating back story. Named after the Cumaen Sibyl, the priestess who prophesized Aeneas’ journey to the Underworld in Book 6 of Virgil’s Aeneid, this cave is thought to be the site where she conducted her oracles and prophesies.

The Sibyl then became Aeneas’ guide to the underworld, and lead him to hell through one of the nearby portals, though of course this is all speculation. Whether you want to believe the myth or not there are plenty of other sites to explore at the Cumae Archeological Park, including a second century BC amphitheatre, a forum, the temples of Apollo and Jupiter and a public baths complex. That is if you haven’t got transported and trapped in the underworld before you get a chance to see them…

The Rione Terra is the oldest part of Pozzuoli, which now resides below contemporary street levels, meaning to explore it, you are required to go on an underground adventure!

Read more about it in our whole article dedicated to this historic gem.

If, after all that concrete history, you’re in the mood for a little murky mythology, why not head to the supposed gates of hell (sounds welcoming right!) The Sybil’s Cave, or the Antro della Sibilia, is the most celebrated site at the Cumae Archaeological Park due to its fascinating back story. Named after the Cumaen Sibyl, the priestess who prophesized Aeneas’ journey to the Underworld in Book 6 of Virgil’s Aeneid, this cave is thought to be the site where she conducted her oracles and prophesies.

The Sibyl then became Aeneas’ guide to the underworld, and lead him to hell through one of the nearby portals, though of course this is all speculation. Whether you want to believe the myth or not there are plenty of other sites to explore at the Cumae Archeological Park, including a second century BC amphitheatre, a forum, the temples of Apollo and Jupiter and a public baths complex. That is if you haven’t got transported and trapped in the underworld before you get a chance to see them…