Highlands Ranch High School - Mr. Sedivy
Highlands Ranch, Colorado

Ancient City of Pompeii
Entrance to Ruins and the Roads of Pompeii

The entrance to the ruins of Pompeii is through Porta Marina, so named because it faces the sea. The entrance is composed of two openings covered by a single vault. The small door was for pedestrians and the larger door was for animals and vehicles.

Porta Marina, Entrance to the Ruins at Pompeii

Most of the roads in the ancient city of Pompeii were quite narrow, generally about seven feet to fourteen feet wide, the widest street being more than 20 feet wide.

A Main Road Runs Through Pompeii

All of the city's roads were paved using polygonal blocks made from the lava of Vesuvius, and most of Pompeii's roads included pavements or sidewalks.

Charriots Wore Ruts into the Roads of Pompeii.
Note the size of the ruts in relation to the cigarette butts in the photo to the right.

Streets of Various Widths in Pompeii, with Sidewalks

Via Dell'Abbondanza

Via Dell'Abbondanza stretches 600 meters from the Forum to Porta di Sarno through the most commericial and prosperous quarter of Pompeii. The street gets its name from the fountain that is sculptured with the symbol of Plenty, an opulent woman carrying a horn of plenty.

Historical Background of Pompeii - I

Background of Pompeii - II