I'd seen a lot of movies about that dramatic disaster. I remember my first impression of "The Last Day of Pompeii". A rich, gorgeous city (in fact, a megapolis) that died in a couple of terrible hours.

The thing is that fertile lands around Vesuvius always attreacted people. Therefore, that region was higly populated. Also, in spite of the fact, that an earthquake destroyed houses around the mountain, people of that times didn't assotiate earthquakes with eruption of volcano. That's why they keep repairing their building and go on their living.

The only fact speakes eloquently about the scale of the particulary ferocious eruption in 79: the scientists says that before 79 the volcano was twice as high as it is now (about 1300 meters).

I visited Pompei on the same day after ascending on culprit of the tragedy - Vesuvius. We stayed in Salerno, and the plan was to start ascending at 9 am, after that drive t Pompei, and after all come back to Salerno till 5:30 to give back rented car.

I worried about parking place in Pompei. By the way, it was so... unusual to realize that Pompei is a not only a destroyed encient city but also a modern settlement with restaurants, gas stations, hotels and yes, parkings. It wasn't difficult to find one, as they are well-marked.

Until we entered Pompeii Archaeological Park, only pave road reminded about the ancient past of this place.

The closer you are to the entrance to the park, the more difficult to find a place for a car and the more expensive it is. But we found a perfect one - Ristorante Vesuvio Pizzeria. The parking just behind it and 5 min walking to the park.

It was about 12 am - a perfect time for a good meal before a long walk. It was really a brilliant idea. The choose a table in a big empty hall, and got our meal served just before 3 big tourist groups came in one after another.
The staff was very nice and helpfull, and the meal and local wine (they have small bottles!) - delicious. So far so good!