 |
European Paediatric Orthopaedic Society
|
|
|
Social Programme
Opening Ceremony and Welcome Reception at the Hilton Sorrento Palace.
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
|
Price: No extra charge, included in congress fees
Thursday, April 12, 2007 – TOUR 1
Afternoon guided walking tour to Pompei. The tour starts from Hilton Sorrento Palace. Return to the hotel for dinner time.
Pompei, unlike the other towns in Campania founded for the most part by Greek colonists, was built by the Oscans, probably around the 9-8th century B.C., even if the evidence now available does not go back beyond the 6th century.
The town developed on lava terracing formed many centuries earlier. Pompei made contact with the nearby Greek colonies, whose culture, way of life and the religion of Magna Graecia it quickly absorbed. Evidence of this is to be found in the shape of the Doric temple which stands in the Triangular Forum. The city was subject to the Etruscans for almost fifty years (until 474 B.C.) when the latter occupied part of inland Campania. Immediately afterwards it came back under the Greek sphere of influence. It then became part of the Samnite area of expansion (5th century), under whom it saw remarkable growth, forming that historical centre whose remains are still visible. This can be identified in part of the most ancient boundary wall, in the architecture of several houses (those characterized by a Tuscan-type atrium), in the public buildings in the Triangular Forum and in the Temple of Apollo in the Civic Forum.
In 80 B.C. it became a Roman colony with the name of Colonia Cornelia Veneria Pompei. As in the past, Pompei continued to expand and develop in every sector. Pompei's flourishing economy led to a decisive population increase, widespread affluence and in addition the remarkable embellishment of the town. It is true to say that the middle-class derived great pleasure from competing with the nobility in the construction of splendid villas.
The urban building expansion took place for the most part along Via dell'Abbondanza, a symbolic center of the new emerging class. However, the life and splendor of Pompei was destined to come to an end. The first inklings of the tragedy were felt in about 62 A.D., when a violent earthquake devastated the city and the surrounding countryside. It was no mean feat to recover from this blow. The least well-off class suffered the most serious consequences, having seen their houses destroyed. Most of the public and private buildings were still at the strengthening and restoration stage when Vesuvius became active, and in the space of a few hours sowed death and destruction on the city. It was the 24th August in the year 79 A.D. A heavy shower of ash, lapilli and lava from the volcano began to rain down onto the city and onto nearby Herculaneum and Stabiae. All was buried beneath a thick blanket of volcanic material to a depth of several meters. The inhabitants, who for the most part fled in the direction of the coast, were suffocated by the fumes of the gases, others met death in their own homes.
The Town is high on the list of Wonders of the World and the excavations begun in the 18th century are still being carried out today. Our guides will take you slowly throughout some of the ancient streets of Pompei where you can see the Baths, Forums and Villas built by the prosperous Romans in the year 80 B. C. Marvel at the fabulously preserved frescoes which adorned the walls and floors of the Villas. Even if your interests do not lie in history, this is an archeological site that you cannot be failed to be impressed by.
Price: No extra charge, included in congress fees
Last Update: July 19th, 2006
Please send comments and suggestions to EPOS/EFORT Content Management