23.3.2013 - A trip to Mount Vesuvius
The weather forecast for the rest of the week is a bit poor. Therefore, it could be the only bright day. Vesuvius is seen clearly, so we have a quick check in to the hotel, change the shoes to the walking boots and off we start for our drive to Vesuvius, which can be reached easily over a road up to an altitude of about 1.000m. From the car park, there is a half hourīs walk up to the crate rim at about 1.170 m.
Breathtaking view already from the car park - to the harbour of Naples and the isle of Ischia, with the Pozzuoli peninsula in between.
Zooming in on Ischia, with the small island of Procida in front.
A good path - this is a National Park where you have to pay an entrance fee.
View to Southeast - could be Pizzo San Michele (1.567 m)
180 degree panoramic picture of Monte Somma. Click here or into the picture for a larger version - and for more information!
Ischia and Procida.
After about 15 minutes ascent, a big surprise: Behind Monte Somma a view to the high, snowcovered mountains, which we have seen from the plane. I reckon this to be southern Apennin mountins (Monti Meta, at a distance of about 70 km ?), with mountains higher than 2000 m!
Over the haze dome of Naples the distant white mountains ...
Monte Somma
Monte Somma and Apennin
Naples and Apennin
Last reminders of snow shortly beneath the crater rim.
The crater - Click here or into the picture for a larger version.
The crater - Click here or into the picture for a larger version.
At the moment, the volcano is nearly completely inactive - this is the only small fumarole on the west wall of the crater.
The crater rim and the distant peaks ...
The gulf of Naples - panoramic picture from Vesuvius. Click here or into the picture for a larger version.
The isle of Capri in the dust ...
... and Ischia.
Castellamare with Monte Faito in behind, with an altitude of more than 1.100 m nearly as high as Vesuvius, but no volcano - built from limestone.
The Sorrent peninsula: far left on the cliffs is Vico Equense, to its right on the sea Seiano, where our Hotel is situated.
Ischia, the Pozzuoli peninsula and Naples.
The crater rim
Interesting stratification beneath the true summit of Vesuvius (which we did not visit).
The only fumarole
Distant view over the crater rim ...
Castellamare, Monte Faito, the Sorrent peninsula and Capri.
The crater as seen from South. Click here or into the picture for a larger version.
Castellamare di Stabia and Monte Faito
Crater walls
Panoramic view from Vesuvius to the South with Castellamare, Monte Faito, the Sorrento pensinsula and Capri. Click here or into the picture for a larger version.
Still snow on southeastern mountains ... Pizzo San Michele (1.567 m)?
Monte Faito with the cable car.
Zooming in on the excavations of Pompeji.
Crater rim
Crter walls. The grey colors are from ...
... lichen - maybe the its Stereocaulon vesuvianum.
Capri, the Pozzuoli peninsula and Naples.
One more panoramic view over the gulf of Naples. Click here or into the picture for a larger version.
On the descent, one more view of the distant Apennin mountains ...
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Ischia
Monte Somma and the lava stream
One more panoramic picture - from Ischia over Naples to Monte Somma with its lava stream from 1944. Click here or into the picture for a larger version.
Ischia in beautiful backlight
Ischia and Naples, from the drive down the Vesuvius road.
Naples
Back at the hotel. After an only short rest, the wonderful evening light attracts me to go out to the haven and the stone jetty.
Vico Equense on the rocks.
Vesuvius
Vico Equense
The cove of Seiano is delimited also to the west by high cliffs.
Ischia in the distance
Seiano
In this old building is the Restaurant Mustafa, where we enjoyed good Italian food at night.
The light on the rocks of Vico Equense is getting more beautiful with the setting sun. ...
Panoramic view of the cove of Vico Equense/Seiano. Click here or into the picture for a larger version.
I sit down on the pier an wate for sunset.
Vico Equense with Monte Faito in behind
Ischia island.
One of the fast boats between Naples, Sorrento and Capri.
A last view to Vesuvius from the balcony of our hotel.
