Vesuvius

**__ [[image:vesuv.jpg width="199" height="124" align="right" caption="Vesuvius"]]VESUVIUS __**
Mount Vesuvius is a volcano east of Naples, in Campania, Italy. It’s the only volcano in the European continent to have erupted within the last hundred years. Vesuvius is near the Bay of Naples, about nine kilometres east of the city. It’s impressive in the beautiful landscape of the Bay of Naples, especially if you watch from the sea, with Naples in the foreground. Vesuvius is best known for its eruption in 79 A.D. which caused the destruction of the Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum. It’s certain that when the eruption started in the morning of 24 August, the local population was unprepared. Mount Vesuvius was considered by the Greeks and Romans as devoted to Hercules(a hero and demigod), and the town of Herculaneum, built at its bottom, was named this way in his honour. It has erupted many times since then and today it’s regarded as one of the most dangerous volcanoes in the world, because of its tendency towards explosive eruptions. The risk of a future eruption is very high for the populations living nearby, due to the intense urbanisation at the bottom and on the upper slopes of the volcano. Campania (our region) is the most densely populated volcanic region in the world. The last eruption dates back in 1944. Since then the volcano is dormant, in a phase of quiescence. So, it is closely monitored by the Vesuvius Observatory with extensive networks of seismic stations. The crater of Vesuvius is open to visitors and there is a small network of paths around the mountain supervised by the park authorities at weekends. THE VESUVIUS NATIONAL PARK The area around Vesuvius was officially declared a national park on 5 June 1995. This natural reserve was founded to: • Create a green lung in an area suffocated by building speculation; • Protect the existing vegetables and animal species; • Restock the area with all the existing animal species; • Guarantee bio-diversity; • Increase cultural, traditional and craft activities; • Restore the architectural structures.

// FLORA //
The Vesuvius side and the Somma one are very different. The Vesuvius side has a characteristic Mediterranean-type vegetation, while the Somma side is damper and is covered by a prevalence of mixed woodlands of Chestnut, Pine, Oak and Ilex trees. Another interesting feature is the presence of Broom plants. Many of these latter are in the Piano delle Ginestre(“Brooms ground ”). This is one of the most beautiful areas in the Park, situated in the High Vesuvius forest reserve (a place you can visit only with a special permission). The ground is covered by these yellow flowers offering a wonderful view.

// FAUNA //
The mammals that can be found are the wild Mouse, the Fox, the wild Rabbit and the Hare. Among about 140 bird species, there is the Peregrine Falcon, the Sparrow Hawk and the Buzzard. There is a considerable Emerald toad population and there are 8 species of reptiles, among which the Viper. There is also a large community of insects including 44 different species of butterflies.

// TYPICAL PRODUCTS //
Since old times man has settled at the bottom of Mt. Vesuvius, because its fertile volcanic soil and temperate climate have favoured agriculture. The extensive oak woods have been gradually replaced by vineyards and orchards which are still the main crops farmed in the area today. Among the best-known products there are: apricots in a wide range of varieties and the famous “pomodorini del piennolo”, cherry tomatoes which can be kept all year long. Vesuvius however, is above all a wine-growing area. The Vesuvius wine production is regulated by a protocol that guarantees the wine quality. The most renowned grapes are Piedirosso(“red foot”), Falanghina and Coda di Volpe (“fox tail”) and the most typical wine is the famous Lacryma Christi (“Christ’s tear”).