Il quarto miglio

The territory of the Phlegraen Fields in Campania is an archaeological museum situated on the slopes of extinct craters. It is a fascinating land due to its pleasant and varied landscape, which is also very fertile and exposed to a mild climate. The Phlegraean area is devoted to viticulture and extends for around 200 km2 immediately to the west of Naples around the gulf of Pozzuoli. It is formed by a series of volcanic hills of the counter-Apennines which culminate in mount Camaldoli.
The landscape presents itself like an irregular succession of low hills and crater shells which sometimes accommodate small lakes. The morphology is very complex due to the intersecting of various volcanic systems. The explosive activity, which began towards the end of the Tertiary (or Cenozoic) period, continued until recently with the eruption of ash and lapillus (only a small amount of lava). This continues today with the emitting of hot smoke (carbon dioxide, steam, hydrogen sulphide) and bubbling of very hot mud. These activities are particularly impressive in the Solfatara crater at Pozzuoli. Lake Averno is also captivating and was believed by ancient people to be the entrance to Hades (the underworld).
The Romans considered the coastal strip with its mild climate, friendly ports, flat and fertile land and trade centres as the “Campania felix”.
In past centuries, myths and cults connected to the afterlife and magical episodes were associated to the Phlegraen Fields, whose name comes from the Greek word “phlegraios” meaning “burning”. The busy Greek colony of Cuma, which later became an important Roman city, was thought to be the seat of the famous oracle of Apollo, the Sybil. In ancient times, the mild climate and extraordinary fertility of the entire Phlegraen Fields made it very heavily populated with flourishing agriculture. Besides the cities of Cuma and Pozzuoli, some other famous centres were: the Greek town of Bacoli; Baia, which was famous for its thermal baths and home to various Roman Emperors; Miseno, on the promontory of the same name, which was the most militarised port on the Tyrrhenian Sea during the Roman period; Quarto, the mythical land of the Cyclops, in fact mythology placed the battle between the Giants and the Gods of Olympus here due to the continuous volcanic explosions; and Agnano, whose thermal baths were already famous in ancient times.