Pompei - Santuario della Beata Vergine del Rosari

Pompeii, a thriving Roman city of 8,000 to 10,000 people, was hit by an earthquake in 62, causing extensive damage. However, the city recovered, but the earthquake may have been caused by the sagging of a hearth roof clod that had come loose on the volcano's vent plug.

In the fall of 79 large amounts of pumice and ash were thrown out. Some residents left the city for fear of an eruption from the volcano. Vesuvius erupted at the end of November. The eruption ejected large amounts of ash, lava and gases into the atmosphere. This cloud was carried by the wind across the land to Pompeii. Shortly after the eruption began, pumice began to rain. Pompeii was buried under a layer of volcanic ash and pumice up to 25 meters thick for over 1500 years. Pompeii has been systematically excavated since about 1750. About two thirds of the city have now been uncovered

But there is a modern Pompei as well.

Bartolo Longo, a meanwhile beatified Italian lawyer, started restoring a church in disrepair in 1873. In 1875, he obtained a painting of Our Lady of the Rosary from a convent in Naples and raised funds to restore the image. Miracles began to be reported and pilgrims began flocking to the church. Bartolo Longo was encouraged by the Bishop of Nola, to begin the construction of a larger church—the cornerstone being laid in 1876. The church was consecrated in 1891. It was expanded significantly in the 1930s and now holds 6,000 people.