Museum
Since its foundation the Vesuvius Observatory has been visited both by scientists and local or foreign guests. In 1970, near the historical edifice, a new modern building was constructed for the needs of modern research. From this time the historical edifice was the naturally destined place for the storage of the valuable mineralogical, histrumental and artistic collections owned by the Observatory.
Guide tours
A prenotation request is needed to schools organized groups and associations. It can be done sending a fax to +390816102304 or an email to museo@ov.ingv.it. The request must be signed and written on headed paper, it must contain:
- day and time of visit, following the given time slots: 9:00 - 10:30 - 12:00;
- number of people;
- fax number or email of school, group or association;
- name and phone number of tour guide or representative;
- for tour operator, &dquot;free visit&dquot; must be contained, too.
Prenotation will be valid only if confimed by our offices by fax or email. For any information please call the number +390816108483 (Monday to Friday, 9am - 1pm)
VISITING HOURS
MUSEUM can be accessed all days with following hours:
- Monday to Friday 9am – 2pm - schools and groups – advanced booking necessary
- Saturday and Sunday 10am – 2pm - open to the public
Access is free of charge and the visit lasts about 90 minutes on three daily visit turns:
1st TURN 9:00am - 10:30am
2nd TURN 10:30am - 12:00am
3rd TURN 12:00am - 1:30pm
A MAXIMUM OF 50 PEOPLES IS ALLOWED FOR EACH TURN
Specialized guides attend visitors along the museum tour. Guided visits are olso available in English and French.
CLOSING DAYS
- January: 1st and 6th
- Easter and Easter Monday
- August: from 1st to 31st
- December: 8th; from 24th to 26th; 31st
Picnic area not present.
The exhibition
The exhibition takes the visitor on a fascinating tour through the world of volcanoes.
It starts off with a description of the various types of eruption and how dangerous they are, and finishes with observation, in real time, of seismic and geochemical data recorded by the Vesuvius Observatory surveillance team. And everything is brought to life with the aid of video clips, illustrations, collections of rocks and minerals, historical instruments, books and paintings.
Historic scientific instruments
The Vesuvius Observatory museum also houses historic scientific instruments used by scientists and researchers over the centuries and some of these are of exceptional historical importance, like Luigi Palmieri’s seismograph. Some of these instruments are on display in the Mercalli and Weichart rooms at the exhibition.
How to get to the Exhibition
By car: take the Torre del Greco exit off the Naples-Salerno motorway then follow the signs for Mt. Vesuvius.
By public transport: take the Circumvesuviana train (either the Naples-Sorrento or Naples-Poggiomarino line) and get off at the station called Ercolano Scavi where you can pick up a bus to Mt. Vesuvius (times: Ercolano - Vesuvius Observatory 9.30, 10.30, 11.50, 12.50, 13.50; Vesuvius Observatory - Ercolano 11.35, 13.00, 13.55, 15.00, 16.10).