Pompeii, Italy

 

MAPPING THE DAY

 

Our RoadTrip began in Naples, Italy.  We were headed for Pompeii, just a 20-minute drive away.  We learned the ominous story about the volcanic eruption that swallowed Pompeii in sixth grade history class.  Now we were to stand in the shadow of Mt. Vesuvius and see the path of its destruction of a town and its residents in 79 AD.

 

 

LOCAL STORY

 

A snapshot of Roman life in the 1^st Century is frozen in time in this archaeological dig.  Dwellings, baths, an amphitheatre, swimming pool and the town aqueduct system are all as they were.  There are also a number of well-preserved frescoes that depict every day life in this ancient world.  And so startling are the remains of Pompeiians caught unaware when Mt. Vesuvius erupted.

 

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Today, Mt. Vesuvius is regarded as one of the most dangerous volcanoes in the world because of the population that lives nearby.  It has erupted many times since the first century and as recently as 1944.

 

VIEW FROM THE TABLE

 

In the shadow of Mt. Vesuvious today, a very special crop is grown in the rich volcanic soil: San Marzano tomatoes.  True San Marzano tomatoes are grown in the Valle del Sarno, in compliance with Italian law.

 

It is worth your effort to find this Italian grown product.  We found a can of Cento brand in our local grocery store.  The resulting marinara sauce is truly the best we have ever made.

Recipe

 

Fruit of Mt. Vesuvius Marinara Sauce

 

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