Vesuvius is the most famous of the Italian volcanoes, but it is not the only one. In the region of Campania, between the Tyrrhenian Sea and the Apennine Mountains, we can find several specimens: Roccamonfina, Vulturio, Albani ... Although some are very old and totally deactivated, others can wake up at any time. This is the case of the Lipari and the Vulcano and, also, of the famous Vesuvius.
Despite everything, climbing the Vesuvius crater has become a very popular activity for tourists. We tell you some curiosities about this famous volcano.
Volcanic zone
Vesuvius is asleep, but its haunting gray silhouette does not let the possibility of waking up one day move away from our minds. If you ask the NeapolitansThey will tell you that they entrust themselves to San Genaro, their protector regarding the action of the volcano. And they continue with their lives ...
The many have been recorded and studied activity episodes that Vesuvius has experienced, which remained very active throughout the 19th century. The last eruption was in 1944, when the towns on the side of the mountain were hit by lava. Since then there has been no sign of activity, but that does not mean that it cannot occur at any time. In the considered area of high risk More than 700,000 people live.
The ascent to the crater
For years, there are many Travellers that go up to the crater of Vesuvius. The excursion to this mountain is a classic. In fact, a funicular was built, which was destroyed in the 1944 eruption. It was replaced by a cable car that no longer works today.
Today you can go up by car from Herculaneum or Torre del Greco, two nearby points. The road leads to an old observation post that no longer works. Its about Vesuvian Observatory, in which minerals and ash samples from the volcano are kept. From this point you have to go up walking to the top of the crater, a huge hollow whose walls still let smoke out. Awesome.
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