Pompeii Today — The Modern City & Archaeological Site

Pompeii in the 21st Century

Nearly two thousand years after its destruction, Pompeii city today is one of the world's most important archaeological sites and one of Italy's most visited tourist attractions. But Pompeii today is not just a museum of the ancient past — it is a living, evolving place where new discoveries are made regularly and where the challenges of conservation and tourism intersect. Visitors who explore Pompeii city now encounter a remarkable blend of ancient ruins and modern infrastructure designed to bring the past to life.

The Modern Town

The pompeii modern city — known locally as Pompei (population ~25,000) — grew up in the 19th century around the Sanctuary of the Blessed Virgin of the Rosary (Santuario della Beata Vergine del Rosario), a major Catholic pilgrimage site founded in 1876. The town is distinct from the ancient archaeological site and serves as a base for the millions of tourists who visit each year. The Pompeii current city has hotels, restaurants, and transit links that make it a convenient gateway to the ruins.

Ongoing Excavations

About one-third of ancient Pompeii remains unexcavated. Modern archaeological campaigns continue to reveal stunning new finds. Recent discoveries include a remarkably preserved thermopolium (snack bar) uncovered in 2020, complete with intact food remains and colorful frescoes, and a ceremonial chariot found in 2021 near the Villa of the Mysteries.

The Great Pompeii Project

The Grande Progetto Pompei, launched in 2012 with over EUR105 million in EU and Italian government funding, has been the most significant intervention at the site in decades. The project has addressed critical conservation needs, stabilized structures at risk of collapse, improved drainage and water management, and reopened several previously closed areas to visitors.

Conservation Challenges

Maintaining an open-air archaeological site of 44 excavated hectares presents enormous challenges. Exposure to weather, vegetation growth, tourism wear, and the inherent fragility of 2,000-year-old structures require constant attention. The Italian government and international organizations continue to invest in conservation and research. Anyone who visits Pompeii city today can see firsthand the delicate balance between public access and preservation. Pompeii city now faces the additional pressure of record-breaking visitor numbers, making sustainable tourism planning essential for the Pompeii current city and archaeological park alike. Pompeii city today stands as proof that ancient heritage and modern stewardship can coexist. What visitors see when they walk through Pompeii city now is the result of decades of careful restoration work.

Explore

• Pictures of Pompeii — Visual gallery and photo descriptions