Pompeii is renowned for its Roman past, but it was originally Greek. Evidence of this lies in some of the oldest structures uncovered, which reflect designs by ancient Greek settlers from as early as the 8th century BC.
How Expert Vincenzo Brings the Hidden History of Pompeii to Life
My Grandfather participated on the excavation team of Pompeii... I fell in love with the history and the archaeology.
The streets of Pompeii, still paved with original Roman stones, wind through a city still frozen in the moment of its tragic destruction. Sunlight filters through the ruins, casting long shadows across forlorn buildings, their walls adorned with colorful frescoes that have withstood the centuries.
Walking along the main road, you pass the remnants of bustling marketplaces and open courtyards, where echoes of ancient life seem to linger. You can almost hear the clatter of carts as you gaze at the deep ruts worn into the stone streets, evidence of long-forgotten Roman traffic. As you approach the Forum, the heart of Pompeii’s social and political life, towering columns stretch into the sky, framing a wide-open square where debates and trade once thrived.
As awe-inspiring as it is to wander through the streets of Pompeii, much of its true depth remains hidden beneath the surface — unless, of course, you have a Local Expert to guide you. A Local Expert like Pompeian Vincenzo, who you’ll meet when visiting Pompeii with Insight Vacations; his passion and knowledge brings this ancient city to life in a way that a self-guided tour simply can’t.
Hi, Vincenzo. How did you become a Pompeii guide?
“I was born in the new town of Pompeii, located near the archeological park. My Grandfather participated on the excavation team of Pompeii for long time, so I grew up in a family with deep contact with the ruins. I fell in love with the history and the archaeology, so it was natural for me to want to guide people here in Pompeii: a place that I consider the most incredible in the world.”
Why do you think people are so drawn to Pompeii?
“People are fascinated of Pompeii because is a trip back in to the past. Walking on the Roman road, seeing the houses of ancient Pompeians, the buildings, the shops, the thermal bath, the square…it’s an incredible experience.”
You step into bathhouses where marble pools and intricate heating systems show the luxuries enjoyed by ancient Romans. Tucked away are grand villas with detailed mosaics underfoot and frescoes that tell stories of myth and daily life, preserved in vivid detail. The amphitheater looms ahead, its stone seating recalling a time when crowds gathered to watch gladiators battle for glory.
What do you love most about working in Pompeii?
“What’s outstanding in Pompeii are the daily life curiosities that you can feel during a tour. For example, you explain a typical day in a Roman bath and then you are physically inside it, understanding the different uses of the different rooms.”
As you wander deeper into the city, the air is filled with a sense of reverence and intrigue. You might pause at the House of the Faun, one of the largest and most impressive residences in Pompeii. Its sprawling atrium features an exquisite mosaic of a dancing faun, a symbol of vitality and festivity, while lush gardens hint at the opulence once enjoyed by its inhabitants. You can almost envision lavish gatherings held beneath the vibrant blue sky.
And then, you spot in the corner of your eye the famed, haunting plaster casts — figures of men, women, and children, caught in their final moments by the sudden eruption, their expressions forever etched in the hardened ash that entombed them. Each corner of Pompeii offers something new to discover, a whisper from the past inviting you to imagine life before that fateful day.
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What can we learn about Roman life from Pompeii’s ruins?
“Pompeii is the best way to learn about Roman life because sadly from a terrible tragedy, Pompeii was buried under 15 meters of volcanic material called pyroclastic – ash, pumice stone and cinder. This volcanic material froze Pompeii in time, and for 2000 years nobody touched Pompeii. That’s why it is so well preserved.”
What can guests look forward to on your tour?
“The only reason the the guests need to take a tour with us, is that we feel Pompeii. We don’t learn about the city from a book but instead Pompeii is our home, we know every single stone. With our professional tour, we bring our guests right back to the Roman time.
“Guests are very surprised when they see the plaster casts of human bodies and the way we explain how it was preserved, or also the way we explain daily life in Pompeii 2000 years ago.”
How does a guided tour of Pompeii enhance your visit?
“Pompeii is one of the largest archeological sites in the world at a vast 66 acres (and more is being recovered all the time). Visit Pompeii alone, and you risk not seeing the best of it, simply because you might not know what to look for: graffiti from the Roman time, details on the buildings, holes along the walkway to park the horses, different building techniques…. Local guides show the top highlights without it being boring. As I said before, we feel Pompeii, and these vibrations we share with our guest.”
Vincenzo and Pompeii inspired this week’s of questions on Insightful, the travel trivia game where you answer questions curated by our Destination Experts. Play now and test your knowledge on the world’s most fascinating destinations.
About Jason Brasier
I'm Jay – born in Italy, raised in South London. Having French sisters and Hungarian ancestors, I've always been fascinated with the world and its cultures, and I carry this curiosity into my writing for Insightful. My favourite destinations I've traveled to so far have been Italy, Peru, France and Brazil.
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