Rediscovering the buried city through Pompeii Guidebooks
Table of Contents
Early Reliance on Social Connections for Touring Pompeii
Imagine stepping back in time to the early days of Pompeii’s rediscovery. Touring the ancient ruins was a privilege reserved for the aristocracy, who relied heavily on local guides and social connections to explore the site.
Influential figures like Sir William Hamilton and Sir William Gell played pivotal roles in showing these early visitors around, offering personal insights and exclusive tours.
Royalty even had the honor of being escorted by the Director of the site, experiencing an intimate and guided exploration of the ruins. However, as we moved into the 19th century, the advent of Pompeii Guidebooks began to shift the social landscape of tourism dramatically.
The Development of Practical Pompeii Guidebooks for Independent Travelers
The 19th century brought about significant changes in travel thanks to the rise of the middle class. This new group of travelers, eager to explore cultural and historical sites like Pompeii, sought practical information to guide their visits.
They wanted structured, accessible itineraries and comprehensive descriptions. The need for guidebooks became apparent, democratizing travel by providing detailed information, historical context, and practical advice.
Pompeii guidebooks became essential tools for independent travelers, allowing them to explore Pompeii without the need for personal guides. This development marked a shift from exclusive tours to more inclusive and accessible visits, making it possible for a broader audience to experience the wonders of Pompeii.
Key Publications Shaping Pompeii Tourism
Domenico Romanelli’s “Viaggio a Pompei, a Pesto e di ritorno a Ercolano” (1811)
Domenico Romanelli was a distinguished 19th-century scholar and the Prefect of the Royal Library at Naples. His expertise in classical studies and his role in the academic community positioned him as a significant figure in the documentation and popularization of archaeological discoveries.
Romanelli’s work extended beyond mere academic pursuits; he was instrumental in making the ruins of Pompeii accessible to a wider audience through his detailed guidebook “Viaggio a Pompei, a Pesto e di ritorno a Ercolano.”
His dedication to providing comprehensive accounts of archaeological sites contributed immensely to the field of historical tourism, influencing the way future generations would explore and understand ancient ruins.
Domenico Romanelli’s “Viaggio a Pompei, published in 1811. Romanelli,dedicated his work to Caroline Murat. The book details an actual journey that began on 30 May 1810, motivated by Romanelli’s frustration at the lack of comprehensive descriptions of the sites as a whole rather than individual monuments.
Starting at the ‘Villa of Diomedes’ and ending at the partly reburied Amphitheatre, Romanelli’s guidebook explains architecture, transcribes inscriptions, and incorporates learned debates on how to interpret the remains.
He alludes to items in the museum at Portici and includes conversations with fellow travelers, such as an unnamed foreigner and a woman he encounters at the ‘Herculaneum Gate.’
This discursive tone, combined with lively discussions about women’s roles in Pompeii and how spectators in the theatre coped with adverse weather conditions, made the book both accessible and informative.
Romanelli’s detailed and engaging narrative set a precedent for future publications, enhancing visitors’ experiences by combining thorough information with storytelling. Despite its length of around 190 pages, which meant it did not fully cater to the general visitor, his guidebook remains a significant work in the popularization of Pompeii.
Murray’s Pompeii Guidebooks
John Murray III, one of the most influential figures in the travel guidebook industry, revolutionized independent tourism with the introduction of his guidebooks in 1836. Murray’s guidebooks were specifically designed to cater to the burgeoning middle-class market, providing affordable and mass-produced resources tailored for the ‘general traveller’.
These publications were notable for their comprehensiveness, covering not only historical facts and architectural descriptions but also practical travel advice, making them an indispensable tool for visitors to sites like Pompeii.
The first edition of Murray’s guidebook set a high standard for thoroughness and literary quality. It even included quotations from Robert Stephen Hawker’s poem “Pompeii,” which he recited at the Sheldonian Theatre, Oxford, upon graduating in 1827 after winning the Newdigate Prize for poetry.
Hawker’s evocative lines, “How sadly echoing to the stranger’s tread / These walls respond, like voices from the dead,” captured the haunting beauty and historical resonance of Pompeii, adding a layer of emotional engagement to the guidebook.
Murray’s dedication to keeping his Pompeii guidebooks current is evident from the nine editions produced, reflecting frequent revisions to ensure accuracy and relevance. His approach resonated deeply with travellers who sought to connect the ancient world of Pompeii with their contemporary experiences.
For instance, Nathaniel Parker Willis noted a similarity between the stepping stones of Pompeii and those in Baltimore, finding a poignant immediacy in the ancient ruins that made the past seem vividly alive.
By providing detailed, accessible information along with a rich narrative context, Murray’s guidebooks democratized the travel experience, allowing a wider audience – once primarily reserved for the elite – to engage deeply with the historical and cultural significance of Pompeii.
Baedeker’s Guidebooks
Karl Baedeker, a prominent figure in the travel literature domain, significantly influenced the world of tourism with his meticulously crafted Pompeii guidebooks. Baedeker’s guides, first introduced in the 1830s, became synonymous with reliability and thoroughness.
His publications were essential for independent travelers, providing detailed routes, expert recommendations, and practical advice, thus making him a cornerstone in the travel guidebook industry. By the end of the 19th century, Baedeker had published twelve editions, reflecting the continual discoveries at Pompeii throughout the latter half of the century.
Baedeker’s guidebooks were comprehensive, yet realistic. He warned tourists not to set their expectations too high, cautioning them that while Pompeii had its fascinations, the ruins were ultimately the remnants of a town obliterated by volcanic ash.
This candid approach, combined with scholarly precision, helped manage visitors’ expectations and provided a grounded understanding of what they would encounter.
The collaborations between renowned photographer Giorgio Sommer and archaeologist Giuseppe Fiorelli were pivotal, as they worked together to create a photographic record that depicted Pompeii as an organized and well-preserved site under Fiorelli’s adept supervision.
Baedeker acknowledged Fiorelli’s methodological excavations and conservation efforts in his books, highlighting their success in systematically exploring and preserving the city’s ruins.
Baedeker emphasized that while a superficial inspection might be achieved in a few hours, a genuine appreciation of Pompeii’s historical and cultural significance required more extended visits and patient observation.
The Pompeii guidebooks recommended frequent visits for those who wished to summon an accurate image of ancient life from the ruins, nudging the traveler towards a more immersive experience. This mixture of practical advice, detailed descriptions, and honest appraisals made Baedeker’s guidebooks invaluable resources for anyone keen on exploring Pompeii.
Impact of Pompeii Guidebooks on Tourists’ Understanding and Expectations
Guidebooks played a crucial role in shaping tourists’ perceptions and experiences at Pompeii. By offering historical context, detailed descriptions, and practical advice, these books helped visitors appreciate the ruins’ significance beyond their initial aesthetic appeal.
Tourists were encouraged to engage with the site intellectually, fostering a deeper understanding of Pompeii’s history and its place in ancient Rome. This educational aspect elevated the tourist experience from mere sightseeing to meaningful exploration.
Guidebooks transformed the way visitors approached and interacted with Pompeii, enriching their visits with knowledge and context that might not have been accessible otherwise.
The Enduring Legacy of Guidebooks in Pompeii Tourism
The shift from social connections to Pompeii guidebooks marked a major change in Pompeii tourism, democratizing access and enhancing visitor experiences. Early guidebooks by Romanelli, Murray, and Baedeker set standards for engaging with cultural sites, a legacy still evident today.
They continue to enrich visits by helping tourists understand and connect with Pompeii’s history, highlighting the importance of not just seeing but understanding historical sites.