Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
a concoction of pumice, fire and smoke over six days. By the end of the week, Pozzuoli
had a new 134m-tall neighbour. Today, Europe's newest mountain is a lush and peaceful
nature reserve, its shady sea-view slopes the perfect spot for a picnic.
The mountain's 'conception' actually goes back to the early 1530s, when an unusual
level of seismic activity began rattling the area. It was at this time that locals also noticed
a dramatic uplift of the land between Lago d'Averno, Monte Barbaro and the sea, a shift
that displaced the coast by several hundred metres. Little did they know that under them a
Monte Nuovo was rehearsing for its grand debut.
Città della Scienza
Offline map
(Science City; 081 242 00 24; www.cittadellascienza.it ; Via Coroglio 104; adult/re-
duced €7.50/5.50; 9am-5pm Tue-Sat, 10am-7pm Sun, also open 9am-5pm Mon Mar-
May, closed late Jul-mid-Sep; Cumana to Bagnoli, then, C1 or R7) Part of a long-
term redevelopment of the Bagnoli steelworks area, 5km southeast of central Pozzuoli, the
huge and interactive Città della Scienza takes the 'geek' out of science. It's a particular hit
with kids, who can get clued up on physics at the science gym, walk through constella-
tions in the high-tech planetarium (€3) or just go plain silly pressing lots of funky buttons.
MUSEUM
LUCRINO, BAIA & BACOLI
This string of towns spreads west from Pozzuoli along a built-up and inspiring coastal
road. First up is Lucrino, where you'll find peaceful Lago d'Averno (the mythical en-
trance to hell) and a famous thermal spa centre. A further 3km southwest, Baia takes its
name from Baios, a shipmate of Ulysses who died and was buried here. A glamorous Ro-
man holiday resort with a sordid reputation, much of the ancient town is now under water
(bradyseism again), though evocative ruins and a recently expanded archaeological mu-
seum help kickstart the imagination. A further 4km south is the sleepy fishing town of Ba-
coli, home to the magical Piscina Mirabilis.
Parco Archeologico di Baia
Offline map
( 081 868 75 92; Via Sella di Baia; adult/reduced €4/2 Sat & Sun, free Tue-Fri, ;
9am-1hr before sunset Tue-Sun; Cumana to Fusaro, then walk 900m or, EAV BUS
to Baia) In Roman times, these 1st century BC ruins were part of a sprawling palace and
spa complex. Emperors would entertain themselves and their guests in a series of lavishly
decorated thermal baths that descended to the sea. Among the surviving snippets are ex-
RUIN
 
 
 
 
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