Pompeii is also known as the forgotten city since its name is quite synonymous to its ancient ruins. Located in the Campania region, near the city of Naples, Italy, Pompeii was practically destroyed during the cataclysmic eruption of the Mount Vesuvius Volcano 79 AD. The city was covered under many feet of molten lava and ashes and had vanished for over 1, 600 years. The doomed city was accidentally discovered by archeologists in the 18th century and found the remains of prehistoric structures and artifacts that brought to light a detailed design of the city during the time of the Roman Empire. The vestiges of the ancient city are what are now popularly known as the Pompeii Ruins.
The Pompeii Ruins is one of the primary tourist attractions in Italy today, having been declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The ill-fated eruption wiped out its civilization, which is said to have about 20,000 inhabitants at that time. Thick debris of ashes and rubble coated the whole town and was only later rediscovered in the year 1748. It was rather surprising to note that the long buried city and even human remains have been preserved for thousands of years.
The Pompeii Ruins continues to attract an average of 2 million tourists every single year. Among the magnificent ancient relics are the Forum, antique houses, an amphitheater, an aqueduct that served to cover about 25 fountains and public baths. Numerous frescoes gave archeologists a valuable insight on the life and social advancements that the city of Pompeii have attained before it was disastrously obliterated.
However, the fascinating Pompeii Ruins are now facing the very real threat of further degradation because of neglect and vandalism. The ancient walls are on the verge of collapsing and the centuries old tiles are left exposed under the assault of the pounding rain. There is a glaring need to raise funds for the restoration of these priceless Pompeii Ruins before it will truly become the seemingly insignificant pile of rubbles. An estimated $ 280 million is needed to the said restoration and preservation of the historical site.
Because of the rapid development of Sorrento and Naples, the city of Pompeii has been left behind. There is a remarkable decline in the number of tourists for the past five years. Pompeii officials are also facing grave corruption charges, and the city has become a lair for mafias and other criminals. This is the grim reality of the once devastated town that is also now on the way to ultimate destruction, not because of natural calamities but of human blunder.