Phlegraean Fields tour (i Campi Flegrei)

Location

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Beyond the western boundary of Naples, beyond the hill of Posillipo, there is an area, well connected to the Metropolis, full of history, art and nature: the Phlegrean Fields. An intact series of extinct volcanoes, in a varied and animated landscape, that crown a blue sea.
A luxuriant vegetation with the typical features of the “Mediterranean maquis” and an agriculture that is recovering the ancient cultivation of fruit and vine are wedged among the urban centres of Pozzuoli, Bacoli,

How much

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Great:

So much for just four euros

Nature

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The breathtaking view here are the sheer cliffs plunging into the still blue sea and lakes like the Averno, Lucrino and Miseno.

Solfatara Vulcano

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The Solfatara, the mythical entrance to the Ancient Romans' Hell, is an inactive volcano, part of the volcanic region known as Phlegrean Fields. It is famous for its steaming jets of sulphurous vapour at temperatures of 160°C, the emission of carbonic anidride and small volcanoes of boiling mud. Sulphur was extracted here in the past, and until 1800 it was a spa renowned for its mineral waters, natural saunas and mud. The Solfatara is the epicentre of the cyclic phenomenon of the rising and lowering of ground level in the Phlegrean Fields known as bradisism.
The Solfatara, the mythical entrance to the Ancient Romans' Hell, is an inactive volcano, part of the volcanic region known as Phlegrean Fields. It is famous for its steaming jets of sulphurous vapour at temperatures of 160°C, the emission of carbonic anidride and small volcanoes of boiling mud. Sulphur was extracted here in the past, and until 1800 it was a spa renowned for its mineral waters, natural saunas and mud. The Solfatara is the epicentre of the cyclic phenomenon of the rising and lowering of ground level in the Phlegrean Fields known as bradisism.
See the video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8YiELrMQ6w

Pozzuoli

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During the excavations, which were begun in 1750, a statue of the Egyptian god Serapis was found and therefore the edifice was mistakenly held to be a temple. It is L. however nothing else but the "macellum" or the city market annexed to the port area ( I- II c. AD). The three columns of grey cipolin bear evident traces of th boles made by lithodomi (marine molluscs) and show the effects of bradyseism (slow upward and downward movement of the earth 's crust). The Macellum is enclosed in a rectangular area with a porticoed court and a row of "tabernae" (shops) down each side In the middle of the court rises a "tholos", a kind of circular temple whose entablature was supported by sixteen columns. There is a sort of apse in the end wall preceded by four massive columns, of which three are still erect and one lies on the ground.
The magnificence of the building can be seen in the marble revetments of the central court as well as of the two larger rooms at each end of the apse, which were public

The Amphitheatre of Flavian is the third biggest of the Roman world, after those of Rome and Capua.
Such grandeur testifies to the extraordinary technical skills achieved by the ancients.
It was located at a crossroads which linked Naples, Capua and Cuma.
Capable of holding up to 40.000 spectators, it's three levels were furnished with four main entrances and twelve secondary entrances.
As well as being an entertainment provision, the Amphitheatre was also a centre of urban life.
Under the external arches of the structure there existed a range of localities dedicated to cults, professional and other groups, all indicated by inscriptions on the stone.
It is particularly rewarding to visit the subterranean complex which gives a good idea of the sort of services and general organisation that must have been required for the functioning of the Amphitheatre.
It was also in this arena that some of the first Christian martyrs died.

Arco Felice

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The Arco Felice is a landmark that dates back to ancient times. It was built by the Romans in the 1st century A.D. during the construction of the Domitiana. (the road that connected Naples and Rome). Because the Roman's always tried to make their roads straight and level, they did not always choose the easiest path. In the case of the Arco Felice, they would not go around the hill nor would they go over it. They went straight through it! The arch was constructed to reinforce the hillside where the road cut through. its located between Pozzuoli and Cumae

Cumae in History

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An ancient city and Greek colony of south-central Italy near present-day Naples. Founded c. 750 B.C., it is the earliest Greek settlement known in Italy. Cumae adopted Roman culture after the second century B.C. and gradually declined as neighboring cities rose to power.
Cumae was founded in the 8th century BC by a group of colonists from Chalcis and is among the most ancient archaeological sites in Italy. The area was inhabited from Iron age times and almost certainly since the Bronze age.

Remains of the Acropolis walls of Cumae dating from the 5th century BC in the Greek period are still visible together with rebuilding work from the Samnite period up to the Roman triumviral period. Inside the urban area are the remains of the Apollo Temple, the Temple of Jupiter, the Roman crypt, the remains of a majestic thermal baths from the Imperial age, the amphitheatre and the Forum which has recently been excavated. There are also several tombs of Greek and Roman citizens.
This area is the oldest archaeological site in Italy; the town was founded in the 8th century B.C. by a group of Greek colonists. The Acropolis still has its 5th century B.C. walls, and comprises the Temple of Apollo, the Temple of Jupiter, the famous Grotto of the Sibilla, the Roman crypt, the remains of an impressive thermal baths and the Amphitheatre.

Baia Archeologic park

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The earliest mention of the therapeutic use of the region around Baiae during the Roman period . From Augustus onward, Baiae was particularly favored by the imperial family, who expanded their property on the bay. Although the place was generally disapproved of by the Christian community.Its will be close till 30 June 2009 for works

Baia underwather

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This site has been submerged by a form of volcanic activity called bradyseism, which has lowered by some meters the place where the Emperor Claudius built the city as you can see in this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTG2jtbxFrU and status and other staff are now preserved in the Aragonese castle (Baia museum) as you see in the post below.

Castle Aragonese of Baia and its museum

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The castle of Baiae was built by Alfonso II of Aragon in 1490-1493 on the remains of a Roman villa. After the eruption of Monte Nuovo in 1538, the castle was restructured by wish of the Viceroy Pedro de Toledo, who had the Church of the Madonna del Pilar built there in 1556. Its present appearance dates back to this restructuring. (now the archeologic museum of Baia)
gret panorama from the top of the Catle
Sacello
Present here are ten bases an eleventh also pertains to the complex but was uncovered in the year 700- belonging to the porticoed area in front of three buildings reserved for worship and all related ceremonies.
The bases were supports for statues, not only Emperors to whom the complex was dedicated, but also of deities, consecrated likewise the Emperor
The Nymphaeum of Punta Epitaffio, strikingly arranged to create a “grotto” effect. In 1969 two marble statues were recovered from the water, still upright in the semi-circular apse, identified as Ulysses and a companion, depicted in the act of pouring wine for Polyphemus. Later two other statues were found, of the eight that decorated the niches of the nymphaeum. One of the statues depicts Antonia the Younger, mother of Claudius, deified during her son’s reign
How we immagin was
How was underwater Room of the Nymphaeum of Punta Epitaffio in miniatures

In this collection is the bronze statue of the Emperor Domiziano seated on his horse, the only surviving example of an ancient statue representing a rampant horse