The preserved streets of Pompeii are among the most characteristic features of the ancient city destroyed during the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 CE. Thanks to a layer of volcanic ash, the system of roads, buildings and infrastructure survived for almost two thousand years.
Narrow paths between stone walls led to residential homes, workshops, and shops. Many streets still feature raised sidewalks and stone elements that made crossing easier, especially during rain and sewage flowing down the middle of the street.
Pompeii was one of the most developed cities in the Campania region. It had waterworks, baths, taverns, and numerous public buildings. Modern archaeological research is allowing for increasingly accurate reconstruction of the city’s appearance and the daily lives of its inhabitants just before the catastrophe.
