1st Itinerary - Archaeological Museum of the Campi Flegrei and walk around Lake Averno
Baia Castle ( Castello di Baia ) was built around 1490 by the Aragonese, it is located on a promontory overlooking the gulf of Baia and is home to the Archaeological Museum of the Campi Flegrei.
The walls of the Castello di Baia enclose the remains of a grandiose Roman villa, which is believed to have been the villa of the Roman Emperor Julius Caesar.
The museum is divided into various sections which, through their archaeological finds, retrace the historical period that goes from the indigenous settlements existing before the arrival of the Greeks up to the Roman period.
From the terrace of the Castle you can enjoy the panorama of the entire gulf of Naples.
The Lake Averno is located in the mouth of a volcano, formed about 4,000 years ago and now extinct, and is about 34 meters deep.
The Greeks called this lake "àornos", meaning "birdless" due to the continuous sulfur emissions that caused the death of all birds that flew in that area.
In ancient times, it was considered a mysterious place that gave access to the afterlife.
Virgil in the Aeneid placed the entrance of Hell here.
Walking along the shores of the lake, you take a very evocative path, about 3 km long, lined with vineyards, citrus groves and historical ruins, such as the temple of Apollo dating back to the 1st century AD."
2nd Itinerary - Archaeological Park of Baia thermal baths ( Terme di Baia ) and walk in the naturalistic oasis of Monte Nuovo
Baia was the favorite place of Roman emperors and noble families to spend their holidays.
The reasons were the beauty of the landscape, the mild climate and the beneficial properties of the thermal waters that flowed from the volcanic subsoil.
In order to enjoy the thermal waters, the Romans built the architectural complex of Baia Thermal Baths, of wich today some remains are still visible among them those of the Majestic Temple of Mercury, which due to its circular shape with a diameter of about 21 meters resembles the Pantheon.
The Temple of Mercury is covered by a hemispherical dome which is the oldest example of a large spherical dome.
An extraordinary event then took place in the marvel of the archaeological remains, in a structure located a few meters away from the temple of Mercury an upside down fig tree grew.
It is a wild fig born from the root of another fig that was above the vault and which developed the root system at the top and the leaves at the bottom.
Monte Nuovo is the youngest volcano in Europe, it was formed in the year 1538 and is located in the Campi Flegrei Park, Municipality of Pozzuoli, in zone A "Integral Reserve Area, in a protected natural environment.
Trekking on Monte Nuovo is suitable for everyone and offers a spectacular view of Lake Averno and the gulf of Pozzuoli.
From the slopes of Monte Nuovo you can reach the top of the crater, with a difference in altitude of 150 meters., cross the pine forest and the Mediterranean scrub that surrounds the fumarole area and then descend until you reach the shores of Lake Averno.
All of our tours can be accompanied by a cooking lesson held by a local at her private house or by a visit to a local winery for a wine and food tasting
FAQs
Walks on Monte Nuovo and around Lake Averno are easy and suitable for families, the best time for walks is in spring and autumn.
it is preferable to wear comfortable or trekking shoes
Open every day except Tuesday, 09:00 - 16:00. The ticket price is 7.00 Euro.
Open every day except Tuesday, 09:00 - 16:00. The ticket price is 7.00 Euro
Booking a guided tour with a local tour guide allows you to plan your visit in the best possible way, recommended and directed by an expert figure who knows the territory well and has more familiarity in managing times and itineraries (museum booking, skip-the-line tickets, choice of alternative routes, tour customization, etc.). It is also a great way to fully immerse yourself in the local culture by hearing not only historical and artistic facts but also interesting anecdotes and legends.
All of my tours are customizable to your requests and needs. Let me know what you like or what you are looking for and I will create a tailor-made tour for you.
All of my tours are private, this means that any tour you decide to book will be exclusively for you, your partner or your family, and there will be no additional participants outside of those chosen by you. This guarantees maximum flexibility and independence.
