The extent of damage was unbelievable

 This was the first time I personally came across a damaged region. It was truly unbelievable. The strange thing was the damage and the event details came to light many years after (Pliny junior's account after 25 years) the horrendous disaster caused by the volcano.

Of the 10,000 inhabitants, there are about 10% encased in volcanic ash remains to tell the grim tale.

The only other disaster area I visited was Hiroshima in the August of 1969. The only edifice reminding the nuking of the city was indeed very sad but the rest of Hiroshima was back to normal and the extent of the disaster was not visceral.

If you ever happen to visit Italy try to make it to Pompeii.