Put simply, Pompeii wasn't the only city that was buried under that eruption from Mount Vesuvius. Herculaneum, Stabia, Nuceria...and Oplontis. Oplontis was even closer to the volcano, and joins the list of Roman towns buried under that fateful eruption. Emperor Nero had a house built for his wife here named the Villa Poppaea. Unfortunately, Nero then killed her. The house was found mostly empty, as much of the statuary had been removed in the earliest stages of reconstruction and redecoration.

Still, if you have any interest at all in Roman history the basic structure and materials used to build the house have held up nicely. The roof stayed mainly intact and wonderful frescoes have largely escaped damage. Take the time to walk slowly through the house, as a guest would, and absorb the magnificent home decorations from so long ago. The frescoes are bright and vivid (well, for 2,000 years old they are) and are classified among other works as the Pompeiian Second Style. Gardens and a bath round out the rest of this sumptuously large house.

Also in Oplontis is the Villa of L. Crassius Tertius, known by a bronze seal found naming the last owner. Torre Annunziata is the closest town, but I would suggest you stay somewhere else as that place is kind of dumpy. Someone once told me a rumor that Italian organized crime operated in the town, which I hugely doubt.

Written by  Robert Evans.

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