Vulcano Solfatara

Solfatara is a volcano in Pozzuoli. It is still active although it is dormant. The fumaroles emitting sulphur dioxide have existed for millennia. A visit to Solfatara includes a walk to the crater where most of the volcanic activity takes place and the mineral water-bearing stratum. The water, which is bitter to the taste, contains alum, sulphur dioxide, calcium sulphate and magnesium, and was once used both for spa treatment and for healing several disorders such as scabies and fever. The tour continues with a visit to the fangaia, the bubbling mud pool that consists of rainwater combined with clayey material, creating a mud full of zinc, boron, sodium, magnesium, arsenic and other minerals, the trachyte quarry, bocca grande, the main fumarole and the stufe antiche, natural caves that emit vapours.