At Vesuvius, numerous archaeological sites were buried under the violent eruption of 79 A.D., with Oplontis arguably offering the most significant monument remnants of the Pompeian suburb area. These historical locations can be explored with guided tours from knowledgeable local experts. Presently, the only monument in ancient Oplontis open for public viewing is a grand villa, whose ownership is attributed to Poppaea Sabina, Nero’s second wife, or her family, based on the inscriptions on an amphora by Sucundus, who could have been her slave or freedman. This location is breathtaking as the wall paintings have managed to retain their vibrant colors and intricate details to this day.
Stabiae held a crucial strategic and commercial niche, as evidenced by numerous villas with panoramic views, dwelling units, spa facilities, appealing nymph decorations, and porches. The current attractions in Stabiae include ‘Villa S. Marco’, the most expansive among Roman ‘villas’, and ‘Villa Arianna’, the oldest, named after a large mural with mythological themes found on the back wall of the triclinium. The high level of preservation of these locations, even in the smaller villages equally hit hard by the eruption, just like Pompeii & Herculaneum, is truly captivating.