Location: Pozzuoli
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9 Ancient Ruins in Pozzuoli That You Shouldn't Miss
Just a few miles west of Naples (and easily reached by train), the ancient seaside city of Pozzuoli is probably best known for its bradyseism, a raising and lowering of the Earth’s surface due to underground volcanic activity. Many sites remain from Pozzuoli’s days as an important Roman port, including the Macellum or Temple of Serapis, which for many years was submerged under water. The Flavian Amphitheater (Italy’s third-largest) and the Cathedral of Rione Terra are other popular attractions.
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1. Lago d'Averno
2. Flavian Amphitheater
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 671 reviews
Reviewed By Asta365 - Kent, United States
While many other Roman coliseums or amphitheaters have more striking stands and above ground sections, none that I’ve visited (Rome, Arles, Verona, Pale, Autun) can match the Flavian Amphitheater’s underground areas. Remarkably well preserved and fully accessible, these ruins will give the visitor a much better sense of the mechanics of putting on a performance during Roman times. Admittedly, this amphitheater could not put on the sea battles that are attributed to the Coliseum in Rome, but they clearly were able to support all sorts of dramatic - and gory - show which we’ve all read about. When I visited, I almost had the site to myself and really soaked it all in. Admission is very reasonable and the amphitheater is a short walk from the train station. I highly recommend a jaunt out to Pozzuoli to visit this gem.
3. Macellum (Temple of Serapis)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 410 reviews
Pozzuoli is billed in travel books as being a town filled with archaeological sites. When one arrives in Pozzuoli one is greeted with litter, bad signage, and several easy-to-find archaeological sites which are overgrown with weeds and covered in trash. I never made it to the top archilogical site (the Flavian Amphitheater) because of bad signage and general disgust with the city. The street address above marks roughly the center point of the city.
Reviewed By artoffact
As an archaeologist, I visit many similar places, so I'm just writing on the things that strike me here, not trying to summarize the importance of the site. It struck me how well-preserved the plan of the structure is. This isn't a "given" in any archaeological site. I also took photos of two things especially: the evidence of marine creatures on the columns, a puzzle that helped lead to the understanding of Bradyseism, and the sage placement of public latrines at the corners. Modern architects and city planners should take a lesson from the sensible pragmatism on display here.
4. Rione Terra
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 453 reviews
The underground archaeological tour of Rione Terra is a journey in the ancient Roman colony, Puteoli , founded in 194 BC and soon became the commercial port of Rome. The course is located below the tuff rock overlooking the Gulf of Pozzuoli, between Nisida and Bay, and runs along the principal axes of the Roman city, hinges and decumani. The visitor, strolling along the streets of Puteoli, Will be fascinated by the architecture of many buildings, the granaries, the oven for processing and baking bread (pistrinum) with millstones almost intact, from cryptoporticos, the workshops and warehouses. The archaeological itinerary is enriched by multimedia installations that guide the audience to discover the activities that took place in ancient Puteoli. You can visit the site in the days Saturday , Sunday and public holidays with entrance every hour from 9am to 12pm and from 13:30 to 16:30 . To access it will be necessary to book by phone from Monday to Sunday.
5. Archaeological site of Cuma
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 385 reviews
Reviewed By N1625GAdm
3 great sites in one location. Greek, Roman, Early Christian. Beautiful views of the ocean and surrounding countryside.
6. Sibyl's Cave (Antro della Sibilla)
7. Stadio di Antonino Pio
8. Necropoli di San Vito
9. Necropoli di Via Celle
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