Solfatara Crater

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  • Address
    Via Solfatara 161, Pozzuoli
  • Show map Close map
  • Phone
    526 23 41
  • 08:30 - 19:00

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Lonely Planet review

Unnerving and surreal, this geological freakshow is a vivid reminder of just how active the ground below here is. Called Foro Vulcani (home of the god of fire) by the Romans, the crater's acrid steam, bubbling mud and sulphurous water have been lauded as health cures for thousands of years.

At the far end of the crater you can see the Stufe, in which two ancient grottos were excavated at the end of the 19th century to create two brick sudatoria (sweat rooms). Christened Purgatory and Hell, they both reach temperatures of up to 90°C (194°F).

To get here, catch any city bus heading uphill from the metro station and ask the driver to let you off at Solfatara.