Naples, excursions among myths and volcanoes: Vesuvius

Naples looms over the Gulf with all its power: a crossroads of cultures, legends, natural beauty, and imposing geological forces. In this corner of the Mediterranean, ancient stories intertwine with the living earth: myths of sirens and gods, interpretations of the sacred, and glimpses of landscapes shaped by volcanic phenomena. In this context, Naples excursions become symbolic itineraries: not just nature trails, but journeys into the mythological soul of the city.

Through three essential stops—Vesuvius, the Phlegraean Fields, and the Posillipo/Gaiola coast—we will tell how the myths of Naples intertwine with volcanoes, offering visitors fascinating excursions steeped in history and mystery.

Vesuvius and the myth that destroyed cities

Among the most famous volcanoes in the world, Vesuvius dominates the landscape around Naples, not only for its geological grandeur but also for the weight of the stories that surround it. Today, it can be visited on excursions lasting a few hours; often, a hike of about four hours is allowed to climb to the main crater.

Volcano, destruction and rebirth

The eruption of 79 AD It is perhaps the most recounted event: Pompeii and Herculaneum were engulfed by flows of ash and gas, buried, and then discovered over the centuries. But Vesuvius is not a dead monument: it is, in fact, a dormant volcano, yet constantly monitored and studied, thanks in part to modern projects like MURAVES, which investigates the internal structure of the great cone using muon x-rays.

Vesuvius in the myths of Naples

In local tradition, Vesuvius takes on mysterious and ambivalent figures. It is a sacred mountain, a sleeping giant that holds within its bowels the secrets of the earth and the wrath it can awaken. Some legends connect the crater's fire to ancient myths of fire gods, evoking images of Prometheus or Vulcan forging iron and the flashes of the lava flow. On Naples excursion itineraries, climbing Vesuvius is not just a naturalistic experience, but a symbolic immersion in that primordial myth that still reverberates in the city's psyche.

Phlegraean Fields: bradyseism, sulphur mines, and myths of the afterlife

West of Naples, the Phlegraean Fields area is a land of endless possibilities: archaeology, nature, secondary volcanism, and mythological tales. It's perfect for those who love Naples excursions with a touch of mystery.

The Phlegraean Fields are a volcanic district characterised by phenomena of bradyseism (very slow rising and falling of the ground) and numerous fumaroles and solfataras. The Solfatara of Pozzuoli is a classic example: an area where the ground emits steam and sulfurous gases characteristic of secondary volcanism.

A noteworthy natural site is the Astroni Crater, a largely preserved crater with nature trails, internal ponds and typical vegetation.

Mythical and legendary places

Profound myths are concentrated precisely in the Phlegraean Fields: Lake Avernus, for example, is considered by Virgil to be the “gateway to the Underworld” in the Aeneid, a symbolic access to the world of the dead.
Monte Nuovo, formed in a mere few days after an eruption in 1538, is a recent example of rapid geological transformation. The hike from Monte Nuovo to Lake Averno is offered as part of educational itineraries that combine environmental education and myth.

Guided tours of the Phlegraean Fields also combine the "archaeology of myth" with volcanic landscapes: archaeologists lead visitors to mythical places, where every stone recalls stories of gods, poets, and vanished cities.

Thus, taking part in Naples excursions in this area means walking among craters, geysers, ancient ruins and legends of otherworldly passages.

Posillipo, Gaiola, and other "bridges" between myth and volcano

You don't have to stray far from the urban fabric to discover how the myths of Naples and volcanology intertwine even on the coast and in lesser-known corners. Naples excursions don't end with the great volcanoes: many routes wind through coastal views, underwater parks, and ancient theaters.

The underwater park of Gaiola

Along the Posillipo coastline lies the Gaiola Underwater Park, a site where archaeology and volcanology merge. The seabed is dotted with submerged structures (remains of ports, nymphaeums, and fishponds) that have settled amid slow subsidence due to local bradyseism. Wikipedia
The park can be visited by glass-bottom boats, snorkeling, or guided diving: a Naples excursion that literally descends below the water level to discover ancient shipwrecks and marine geomorphologies of volcanic origin.

Mythical glimpses and hidden panoramas

In the Posillipo area, the Pausilypon Park and the submerged Pollione Theatre offer a highly evocative setting: Posillipo Hill is part of the edge of the ancient caldera, with archaeological remains immersed in Mediterranean vegetation.
Similarly, Montagna Spaccata, a natural cut in the hill near Pozzuoli, is considered the residual rim of a crater in the Campi Flegrei and preserves traces of an ancient eruption.

In these corners, excursions to Naples transform into journeys of discovery: they tell how the myth of its foundation, the sirens, the sibylline wisdom, and the subterranean spirits coexist with the tensions of the earth. Here, the myth is not abstract: it is geology, stone, water, and light reflecting on fault lines.