In 79 A.D., the eruption of Mount Vesuvius entombed more than just Pompeii. A stone’s throw away on the coastline, was another city - Herculaneum. This urban area, akin to Pompeii, was simultaneously destroyed and conserved by the catastrophe. Herculaneum was concealed beneath an actual mountain of searing ashes, with the remains of the antique city submerged under 80 feet of volcanic debris.

Fast forward nearly two millennia, the allure of Herculaneum endures. This locale served as a residential precinct for the high-ranking class, despite being smaller, it was wealthier than Pompeii. The past prosperity of Herculaneum is still apparent in the unique design and ornate adornments of the residences.

There’s a disparity between Herculaneum and Pompeii in terms of preservation. Both cities perished in the same eruption, however, the impact varied on each.