Dating back to the 4th century BC, the city was thought to have been founded by the legendary Hercules. This elite Roman resort was devastated by the same volcanic eruption that buried Pompeii in 79 AD. This is an excursion that cannot be missed, unlike the ash and lava that devastated Pompeii, Herculaneum was covered by a torrent of mud, which protected the ruins from atmospheric agents and illegal excavators. The guided walking tour of Herculaneum will take about two hours, to see the suburban Baths, the house of the Deers, the Augustales temple, the Palestra, the house of Neptun and Anphitrite, the house of the Pretty Courtyard, the house of the wooden Partition Wall, the Bicentenary house, the area of the Marina, where in 1980 archeologist found over 250 skeletons of fugitives.
The natural preservation of wooden elements, foodstuffs, fabrics, and architecture provides a fascinating and intimate look into the Roman's private life in ancient times.
The site was discovered by accident in the early 1700's when a well was being dug and workmen struck a stone pavement, the stage of the city's theater.
Serious excavations began under Mussolini but only about eight blocks have been excavated. The rest is covered not only by rock but also by a dense modern neighborhood.
Bringing more of Herculaneum to light is a slow operation, but new digs are still continuing.