Social
Events
Visit to Pompeii (Monday 17)
The city of Pompeii is a partially buried Roman town-city. Along
with Herculaneum, its sister city, Pompeii was destroyed and
completely buried during a long catastrophic eruption of the
volcano Mount Vesuvius spanning two days in 79 AD. The eruption
buried Pompeii under 4 to 6 meters of ash and pumice, and it was
lost for over 1,500 years before its accidental rediscovery in
1599. Since then, its excavation has provided an extraordinarily
detailed insight into the life of a city at the height of the
Roman Empire.
The cost of the visit is 11 Euro per person, including the
entrance ticket, the bus transfer and a guided tour of three
hours. Money will be collected on the bus.
The bus will leave from Grand Hotel Salerno at 8:30, it will
also stop in Piazza Cavour at 8:45.
The arrival at the archeological site of Pompei should be at
9:30. The departure from Pompei is scheduled for 12:30 and the
return to Salerno should be at 13:30.
Tour of the old city of Salerno
(Friday 21, afternoon)
The city of ancient origin, had its golden age during Medieval
times. Capitol city of the duchy of Roberto il Guiscardo and
chosen location of the Ancient Medical School of Salerno. The
beautiful Medieval area preserves the ancient urban structure
and the fascinating atmospehere of those times. The area
includes a path that goes from the old aqueduct to the Arechi
Castle, composed of narrow streets of which the historical
center is full, up to piazza del Campo where you can find the
"Fontanella dei Delfini". The streets Via dei Mercanti, via
delle Botteghe Medievali and the Minerva Gardens are the most
popular spots of the city. The Lombard church of San Pietro a
Corte was part of Arechi II's Royal Mansion with the name
"Cappella Palatina". The complex of Santa Sofia, the Pinto
Palace, the Villa Comunale, the Verdi Theatre, are some of the
important architectures that you will find in Salerno, and that
testify the harmonious urban development of the town during the
years. One of the most beautiful spots is the pedestrian
waterfront from where you have a complete view of the coast. A
place for art and culture as well as a place to go to at night
time for fun.
Social Dinner (Friday 21, evening)
The social dinner will be held in Salerno at the Arechi castle.
Arechi castle was built on Mount Bonadies, which is 300 metres
above sea level and dominates the town from the north forming a
triangular defensive system. The castle attained military
importance in the 8th Century, during the reign of the Lombard
Prince Arechi II, who extended and rebuilt it to the standards
of Roman and Byzantine times. It was considered a strategic
position for the town on the Mediterranean coast and an
excellent access both for commercial and for defensive purposes,
hence the fortification of the old Salernum, which became
Capitol of the Benevento Duchy. Today it houses rooms for
exhibitions and congresses. The Castle offers a complete and
spectacular view of the city and the Gulf of Salerno.
Visit to Paestum (Sunday 23)
Paestum is an ancient Greco-Roman city (40 km south of Salerno),
not far from sandy beaches in a region known for its mozzarella
di bufala. Settled by Greek colonists in the 6th century BC,
Paestum was later occupied by Lucanians, Romans and Christians.
Malarial swamps led to the abandonment of the city in the 9th
century AD, but also helped preserve the ancient city's finest
artifacts. Today, Paestum boasts three well-preserved Doric
Greek temples, ruins of ancient houses and a museum of Greek
artifacts.
The cost of the visit is 6.50 Euro per person, including the
entrance ticket, the bus transfer and a guided tour of three
hours. Money will be collected on the bus.
The bus will leave from Piazza Cavour at 8:15, it will stop at
Grand Hotel Salerno at 8:30 and will arrive at Paestum at 9:30.
The departure from Paestum is scheduled for 12:30 and the return
to Salerno should be at 13:30.
