Der Vesuv

Among the approximately 500 active volcanoes on Earth, Vesuvius has a unique history. It begins with the eruption of 79 AD, which buried Pompeii and Herculaneum. Since then, the "majestic criminal" (Gerhart Hauptmann) has prompted people to reflect on the darker sides of nature. Vesuvius is the birthplace of modern volcanology and the most visited mountain in the world. Mass tourism began with "Funiculì Funiculà," the much-sung funicular, which has now been replaced by buses and cars. The volcano has been dormant since 1944. Today, around three million people live in its shadow. Everything is under control, scientists assure. Evacuation plans have been developed for emergencies. And in the Cathedral of Naples, the blood of San Gennaro flows. A captivatingly told cultural history of nature.