Pompeii is an ancient Roman city and archeological site in Campania, in southern Italy, near Mount Vesuvius. It dates back to the 8th century and is known for its tragic fate. In fact, in 79 AD a powerful eruption from Mount Vesuvius killed all of the inhabitants and kept the city intact in a mixture of molten rock and ash. As an archaeological museum, the site has been a popular tourist destination since the 18th century.