ParadiseLost

This overlook has been closed for years due to structural problems beneath it and just reopened in the last ~10 days. It's atop the huge terrace that extented the Domus Tiberiana into the Roman Forum.
I believe the terrace's greatest height is close to 90ft.
This overlook can be seen here http://wings.buffalo.edu/AandL/Maece.../ac660817.html see the 5 arches in the top center going to the left, the overlook is above the 3rd arch.
You get views like this http://wings.buffalo.edu/AandL/Maece.../ac780718.html
Another great thing is it allows you too look into the 'House of the Vestal Virgins' from above. Which is closed-off in the Forum where you can just seek a peak from one corner.
Also just before reaching the overlook you past an enclosed staircase which lead down from the palace into the Forum.
Regards, Walter

yk

Hi Walter-

thanks for the update. Looks like you're back from your trip. Are you planning to give us a trip report? Did you end up doing the Circus Maximus tour and also touring the "lesser" Pompeii sites (Stabia etc)? Would love to hear about them.

kismetchimera

Grazie molto for the info.Walter..

ParadiseLost

You're Welcome .
yk, trust me it would be the most boring trip report if I ever wrote one . I stay at the same hotel and eat at the same restaurant and I'm back in my room after an early dinner and exhausted .
I will just write some tripreports on the sites and directions & info.
The Circus Maximus Mithraeum tour didn't come together, I couldn't get in touch with the company in time to confirm either by phone or fax. I don't know what happened there though.
Stabia I passed on but did do Boscoreale, Oplontis and the 'Villa of the Papyi' tour at Herculaneum.
Went on an *excellent* Scala Reale tour with Darius Arya, who's an archaeologist currently doing a dig in the Roman Forum. I've taken the 'Roma Antica' tour before but I wanted to go on one of his tours.
Actually I was on his tour when he became very excited as we were walking across the Palatine when he discovered that the overlook had just reopened .
Regards, Walter

bryce330

Hi Walter - thank you for all of your informative posts on this board. What did you think of the Villa of the Papyri in Herc.? I am thinking of visiting on my upcoming trip but I would have to rearrange my schedule to visit Herc. on a Saturday or Sunday. Is it worth it to see the Villa?

ParadiseLost

Bryce, No it is not worth the time and trouble unless you plan on being at Herculaneum on a Sat or Sun. And even then it would just be a "I was there" type site.
I go gaa-gaa over ancient sites but that tour is very disappointing.
I took the tour with 2 other Americans in the military stationed in Naples who have been to all the surrounding sites and into history. They felt the same way.
But it is free with a reservation and an entrance ticket to Herculaneum and it is nice of the Italian gov't to offer this limited visit to this site, so I don't want to sound ungrateful. It's just a very limited tour, except for a peek into a 2nd floor room (nothing major), a look inside the intact small Therme/bath and a horse skeleton you could basically see the rest of the tour from outside the fence with a pair of binoculars.
Regards, Walter