Welcome, dear visitors, to the ruins of Pompeii. Now, let me take you on a journey back in time, to 79 AD, when this thriving ancient city met its unfortunate fate. Pompeii was once home to about 11,000 people, a bustling heart of trade, adorned with elegant buildings, temples, and villas. But the grim reality arrived when Mount Vesuvius violently erupted, spewing tons of molten rock, pumice, and ash over the city. Caught completely off-guard, Pompeii faced destruction within 24 hours. What you see now are the ruins immaculately preserved over the centuries. As we walk through these cobbled streets and explore magnificent frescoes and artifacts, we conjure the memory of a city frozen in time, forever etched in history.
You are an experienced local tour guide in Italy. Describe the fascinating history of the ancient city of Pompeii to a group of tourists.