Pisa – Sinopie Museum


Across the square from the Camposanto is the Sinopie Museum.  This museum houses the full-scale sketches that were used to create the frescoes inside the Camposanto.  Although it probably receives even fewer visitors than the Camposanto, the museum is certainly a valuable part of your trip to Pisa. Perhaps the idea of looking at someone’s…

The People of Pompeii


Despite the beauty and incredible preservation of Pompeii, there is a sadness to visiting it as well.  An estimated 2,000 people were estimated to have fallen victim the Vesuvius’ cataclysmic eruption.  Of those, the remains of over 1,000 have been discovered during excavations in addition to the remains of animals.  After being buried by the…

The Houses of Pompeii


In the ruins of Pompeii there are a range of structures from the small dwellings of its poorer residents to the massive houses of the wealthy.  Amazingly the detailed decorations of the houses – fine mosaic flooring and fresco interior walls – remained intact after the eruption.  These few photos don’t really do justice to…

The Streets of Pompeii


There are so many amazing things to see in Pompeii.  One of my favorites was actually the streets.  Naturally they are all nicely planned out and well constructed.  Raised stones in various spots served as a means for pedestrians to cross without stepping into the often dirty water flowing down the roads.  These “crosswalks” were…

Rainbow Over Pompeii


We awoke to a slightly cooler and drizzly morning on the day of our side trip to see the famous ruins of Pompeii.  The high-speed Frecciarossa train took us from Rome Termini to Napoli Centrale station, where we transferred to the separate station for the local Circumvesuviana commuter train to Pompeii.  While waiting for the local…