Explore the Lava Flows: Witness the Power of Vesuvius
At this stop, you can see the remenants of the 1944 eruption — the most recent in Vesuvius' long history. These blackened flows you see once flowed like a river, burning through everything in the way.
In the 18th century, people began to mine hardened lava from here for use as building materials, especially in Naples. Many buildings still have remenants of the volcano's ancient lava!
The people of Naples have many superstitions about Vesuvius. For example, it is said that placing a statue of the Virgin Mary facing the volcano helps to ward off eruptions, which some locals still adhere to today.
Ash's Fun Fact!
Even today it is considered to be one of the most dangerous volcanoes on Earth. An estimated 3 million people live within 20 miles of it.