Messina and Pompeii

Most of our travels this year seem to have been through the islands since we love the clear water and the swimming. Now and again we stopped on the mainland to pick up people or for specific historical sites. After Ostia the next two we visited during our travels through the islands with James, Sophie and Ryan were Mesino and Pompeii.

Mesino was the site of the ancient roman navy for some time and supplied with fresh water by the Augustan aqueduct from 100km away. There remains the largest known cistern ever built by the ancient romans – commonly called the “temple of water” or “piscina mirabilis”, It is on private land with no explanation and little direction. You make an appointment then just go and look for yourselves. It has a ceiling held up by 48 pillars in 4 rows of 12. It is mentioned in Robert Harris’ book “Pompeii” and google has some good information which is worth reading before you go.

Pompeii was the next stop and and on advice from a friend we got a personal guide which was absolutely the right decision.  His grandmother had been born and grown up in the house  which is in the middle of the ruins and he lived nearby so he had a great wealth of knowledge about the history of the area and the ruins.

So much is known about Pompeii because it was buried and many houses remained in tact. Early excavations and restoration efforts did some damage but now all parts are being handled very carefully. Apart from the major temples, and amphitheatres it was great to learn about the little things such as the signs for the brothels and the names of the prostitutes engraved on the walls, and their specialties painted in frescoes. Also how the common people and the women made their thoughts known on elections even though they did not have the vote.

I loved the paved roads and the delineation of the pavements from the cart areas and the method of sluicing them clean each night from the fountains. I also loved the mosaics and was amazed at how many had survived. Whole villa layouts, with their fountains  and gardens was also interesting. We would have missed many of the small details if we had not hired the guide. 

The last few photos are of the  Pontifical Shrine of the Blessed Virgin of the Rosary of Pompeii which is a Roman Catholic cathedral, Marian pontifical shrine and minor basilica commissioned by Bartolo Longo.

I hope you enjoy the photos.