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Around 326 BC the area was absorbed into the Roman Empire and by the 1st century AD Naples was a renowned centre of learning. But in August AD 79 all that changed when Mount Vesuvius suddenly erupted after centuries of dormancy. Within a few hours, entire cities were gone, covered by ash or boiling volcanic mud (see Pompeii).

Here you can see the remains of brick arches dating from Roman times.

On a rocky spur, Vico Equense is of Etruscan origin but was razed by the Goths in the 5th century. What is seen today, however, is the town’s reinvention by the Angevin king of Naples in the 13th century. A visual high point is the church of Santissima Annunziata, dramatically perched atop a cliff that plunges straight down to the sea.

This stupendous villa was designed by the Vanvittelli brothers between 1760–75. It features a circular portico, where concerts are now held, and enjoys a lovely panorama of the bay. Some of the rooms have been restored to their original decor, while others are used for special exhibitions.

Villa Favorita was boarded up at least 100 years ago – with Italian Unification the noble homes became an obsolete symbol of decadence. However the park and the annexe are open to visitors, the former punctuated with pavilions.

Set further back from the sea, this house was built for the baronial Petti family. It has now been fully restored, with Rococo decorations, frescoes and marble busts.

In 1826 Bellini was asked to stage his first work at the San Carlo, Bianca e Gerlando .

The epic poet (70–19 BC) lived in Naples for many years, incorporating local legends into his work The Aeneid .

Ironically, the gutting of the city’s derelict structures was accomplished in large part by World War II bombs, but the city was left devastated and starving. More than 20,000 civilians lost their lives in Allied air raids.