Naples

Naples is a controversial city, the capital of the Campania region. It combines frank poverty and fabulous wealth, trash in the streets and priceless historical monuments. If you want to see the real southern Italy, go to Naples.

Naples (Beoli-Around)

Naples (Napoli) - a crowded busy city with a special rhythm of life - a seaport, the birthplace of classic pizza, mandolin, melodic Neapolitan songs. It is located on a narrow strip of land between the mountains, the Gulf of Naples and the formidable Vesuvius. It is a cultural, industrial, economic center; a long-standing arena of struggle between the Italian mafia and the rule of law; business card of all Italy.

City `s history

The predecessor of Naples was the Greek colonial settlement of Parthenopeia, which initially occupied the islands of Megaride and Ischia, and gradually spread to the mainland. The name "New City" - Neapolis appeared in the IV century BC. Neapolis was conquered by the Romans in 327 BC The Roman Empire fell, and the Byzantines took possession of the city, and in 763 Naples received the right to autonomy. From the end of the XV to the beginning of the XVIII centuries. the city belonged to Spain; until 1860 was under the rule of the Spanish branch of the Bourbons. After the referendum of 1860, the end of the monarchy was announced. Naples became part of the Sardinian kingdom.

During the years of World War II, Neapolitan streets were bombed by American aircraft. Some monuments were destroyed in 1943; The 1980 earthquake caused great damage to the architecture. However, the ancient layout was preserved in the central part of the city, many buildings were restored and restored. Remained objects of the era of early Christianity, medieval temples and fortresses.

Sights

Piazza del Plebiscito

The historic center, where most of the Neapolitan attractions are concentrated, is located between Posillipo Hill and the seaport. Traveling around the city is best started with Piazza del Plebiscito (Piazza del Plebiscito - Piazza del Plebiscito). The square is decorated with two equestrian statues: Ferdinand I (sculptor Antonio Cali) and Charles III (Antonio Canova).

Royal Palace, photo by Raffaele Nicolussi

The Piazza del Plebiscito is the Royal Palace (Palazzo Reale - Palazzo Reale), the construction of which began in 1600 and lasted more than 50 years. This is the main residence of the Bourbons in the Kingdom of Both Sicilies. Today, various institutions are located in the wings of the palace, and since 1814 the main part has been occupied by the National Library. The palace has the royal apartments, the Hercules Hall, the Central and Throne Halls that make up the Museum of the historical apartments of the Royal Palace. The museum exhibits works by Titian, Gverchino, Luca Giordano, Spanoletto, Andrea Vaccaro, Massimo Stantsione, Mattia Preti.

Address: Piazza del Plebiscito, 1, 80132 Napoli. Website: sbapsae.na.it.

Basilica of St. Francis of Paola, photo by Gianfranco

Opposite the Royal Palace is the Basilica of San Francesco di Paola (Basilica reale pontificia di San Francesco di Paola), a magnificent example of Italian neoclassicism, which resembles the ancient Roman Pantheon. It was built at the behest of King Ferdinand I of Bourbon in 1836. The church attracts with its elegant architecture and rich interior decoration.

Address: Piazza del Plebiscito, Napoli. Website: santuariopaola.it. The basilica is open during the day, admission is free.

Salerno Palace

Salerno Palace (Palazzo Salerno) is another historic neoclassical building on Plebiscita Square. It was built at the end of the 18th century by the architect Francesco Sicuro. Now it houses military institutions.

Address: Piazza Plebiscito, 33, 80132 Napoli.

Prefectural Palace

Palace of the Prefecture (Palazzo della Prefetura - Palazzo della Prefettura) - a monumental building on Plebiscita Square. Its architectural style is close to the style of the Salerno Palace - neoclassical. The building was built in 1815 for visitors to the royal family, the architect Leopoldo Laperuta. Today in the palace is the prefecture of Naples. On the ground floor there is a cozy cafe Gambrinus.

Address: Piazza del Plebiscito, 80132 Napoli.

San Carlo Theater

San Carlo Theater, photo Karl

A little further from the Piazza del Plebiscito you can see the oldest opera house of the Apennine Peninsula and the most spacious in Italy (about 3300 spectators) - San Carlo (Teatro di San Carlo), built in 1737. Almost all outstanding Italian singers sang on its stage .

Address: Via San Carlo, 98, 80132 Napoli. Website: teatrosancarlo.it.

Saccanapoli

Spaccanapoli Street, photo by Giuseppe Morlando

Spaccanapoli Street (Spaccanapoli - "dividing Naples") divides the old city into exactly two parts. Here you can feel the real spirit of Naples - a city chaotic and chaotic, but at the same time pretty and lively. Spaccanapoli consists of two streets: Via Benedetto Croce and Via San Biaggio dei Librai. Spaccanapoli, founded by the Romans, is an open-air museum. It houses the Palazzo Petrucci, the Palace of Venice, the church complex of Santa Chiara and other attractions that are so beloved by tourists.

Umberto I Gallery

Umberto I Gallery

Umberto I Gallery (Galleria Umberto I) is one of the outstanding examples of "industrial architecture" of the second half of the 19th century, glass stained-glass windows, a 56-meter dome, a unique mosaic floor. It was built in 1890 in imitation of the Milan Gallery Vittorio Emanuele. Now it is a shopping arcade with boutiques, cafes and restaurants. There are piano concerts in the gallery.

Address: Galleria Umberto I, 80132 Napoli (main entrance from Via San Carlo). Open around the clock, but not all stores are open at night.

New castle

New Castle, photo Been-Around

Closer to the south, at the port itself, there are five huge cylindrical towers of the grandiose New Castle (Castel Nuovo - Castel Nuovo), Neapolitans call it the same as Anjou Castle. The symbol of Naples was founded in the XIII century, as the residence of Charles I of Anjou, king of both Sicilies, after the transfer of the capital from Palermo to Naples, architect Pierre de Choll. Now in Castel Nuovo is the center of the Neapolitan National Museum.

Address: Piazza Castello, Napoli. Opening hours: Mon-Sat 09:00 - 19:00; Sun 09:00 - 14:00.

Egg castle

Castell del Ovo, photo by Massimo-Albino

Castel del Ovo Castle (Castel dell'Ovo, translated from Italian - "egg castle") was founded by the Normans in the XII century. From here it was convenient to control the bay and take refuge in the thick fortified walls in case of danger. On the territory of the castle there are observation platforms from where an excellent view of the bay opens. Castell del Ovo has an aquarium with 30 pools, where dozens of inhabitants of the underwater world live.

Address: Via Eldorado, 3, 80132 Napoli. Website: comune.napoli.it. Entrance to the castle is free.

Temples

Basilica of San Lorenzo Maggiore

San Domenico Maggiore

Church of Jesu Nuovo

Basilica of Santa Chiara

Capella San Severo

The city has more than four hundred temples, not counting the shrines of the ancient era. The most significant churches: San Lorenzo Maggiore (San Lorenzo Maggiore) - a masterpiece of Anjou Gothic; Dominican San Domenico Maggiore (San Domenico Maggiore) with the tombs of Ferdinand I and Raymond Capuan and frescoes by Pietro Cavallini (XIV century); the baroque Jesu Nuovo (Chiesa del Gesù Nuovo), in which the relics of St. Giuseppe Moscati; and the Gothic Santa Chiara (Basilica di Santa Chiara) - the tomb of the Neapolitan Bourbons. The former private chapel owned by the Sangro family - the Cappella Sansevero - has a valuable relic - the Shroud of Christ.

Cathedral, photo by Dan

The Duomo Cathedral (or Duomo di San Gennaro Cathedral), which has been rebuilt for many centuries, is dedicated to Saint Januarius, the patron saint of Naples.

Museums

Naples Catacombs

Naples Catacombs

In the northern part of the city, underground, kilometers of labyrinths stretched - Christian catacombs (Catacombe di Napoli), in which late antique mosaics were preserved.

Villa Floridiana

Villa Floridiana

On the hill of Vomero stands the white neoclassical palace of Villa Floridiana, surrounded by a beautiful garden. The villa houses the National Museum of Ceramics, it is also called the Museum of Decorative Arts Duca di Martina (Museo Nazionale della Ceramica Duca di Martina). The collection has over 6,000 exhibits. These are samples of European, Japanese and Chinese ceramics; items made of porcelain, ivory and enamel; collection of majolica of the Renaissance.

Address: Via Domenico Cimarosa, 77, 80127 Napoli. Website: polomusealenapoli.beniculturali.it.

Archaeological Museum

Archaeological Museum

The Piazza Museum houses the Archaeological Museum (Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Napoli), which contains priceless finds from the ancient Herculaneum and the legendary Pompeii, as well as Stabia, other places in Campania and the surrounding areas.

Address: Piazza Museo, 19, 80135 Napoli. Website: campania.beniculturali.it.

Capodimonte Museum

Capodimonte Museum, photo by PietroEsse

In the city park of Capodimonte, the museum of the same name is located - Museo di Capodimonte, the full name is the National Museum and Galleries of Capodimonte (Museo e Gallerie Nazionali di Capodimonte). His art gallery presents a rich collection of paintings of the Renaissance.

Address: Via Miano, 2, 80137 Napoli, Italy. Website: polomusealenapoli.beniculturali.it.

Gardens and parks

Botanical Garden

Botanical Garden, photo Karl

On Via Foria is the Botanical Garden (Orto Botanico di Napoli) - one of the largest in Italy, founded at the beginning of the XIX century by Joachim Murat. It has been owned by the University of Naples for many years. Over 12 thousand plants, flowers and trees of all climatic zones of the world were collected on 12 hectares. Amazing ferns and citrus orchards grow in the garden.

Address: Via Foria, 223, 80137 Napoli. Website: ortobotanico.unina.it. Entrance to the garden is free.

Gardens "Villa Komunale"

Gardens Villa Komunale

Gardens "Villa Comunale" (Villa Comunale), stretching along the coast, were created on the model of the French Tuileries. Gardens were arranged in 1697, but acquired their present appearance after a hundred years, during the reign of King Ferdinand IV. The park has many trees, there are beautiful fountains and sculptures.

Address: Piazza Vittoria, 80121 Napoli.

Naples Hills Park

Park Hills Naples

The city park of the Hills of Naples (Parco metropolitano delle colline di Napoli) attracts tourists with many hiking trails, walking trails laid through the picturesque landscapes.

Address: Viale S. Ignazio di Loyola, 80131 Napoli.

Neapolitan cuisine

Neapolitan pizza, photo Serious Eats

Traveling to Naples is hard to imagine without getting to know its famous cuisine. Local culinary experts have become famous for their ingenuity throughout the world. They make the best and most varied pasta in Italy, bake pizza "Calzone napoletano", "Marinara" and "Margarita", sweet cakes Pastiera napoletana. In different variations, the Neapolitans cook seafood and fish, all kinds of meat and vegetables. It produces wines "rosso" and "bianco", nut and herbal liqueurs, the famous Italian limoncello.

Holidays

Feast of Saint January

Naples' main holiday is September 19th, St. Januarius Day (Festa di San Gennaro). Religious celebration is also called the "miracle of the blood of the Holy" - on this day a ritual of thinning the blood of the patron saint is held, which until then is stored in a special capsule. Neapolitans hold a similar festival in May.

In July, celebrate the Day of St. Vincenzo (San Vincenzo Ferreri) - the savior of the city from cholera. Multi-colored bedspreads appear on the balconies of the houses, the streets are lit up with bright lights, a solemn service takes place in the Basilica of Santa Maria della Sanità.

Here, on the night of September 7-8, the Virgin Mary of Piedigrott is glorified here. In honor of the holiday, musical Neapolitans compete in vocals, organize colorful processions, fireworks.

Festivals

Italian Theater Festival in Naples

In mid-September, the time comes for the Pizzafest festival. As part of the culinary festival, pizza contests, tastings, and baking workshops are held.

September in Naples is generally eventful. This month, the Pomigliano Jazz Festival is also held - there you can see both local and world stars of the popular genre.

Cinematic event - Napoli Film Festival - a celebration of copyright and classic cinema. It is open to the widest public.

And in December-January, the Italian Theater Festival (Napoli Teatro Festival Italia) is held here.

What to see in the surroundings

Pompeii

Pompeii, photo by Odile CARLIER

The pearl of the Neapolitan environs is the ancient Pompei, the "city under the ashes." This is the main place of pilgrimage for tourists.

The majestic symbol of Naples and the entire Campaign is the giant Vesuvius. The slopes of an ancient volcano today are covered by archaeological sites. The most courageous tourists can rise and look into his mysterious bottomless vent.

Caserta

Caserta

If you are attracted to fountains and picturesque parks, visit the "Italian Versailles" - the city of Caserta with a grand Royal Palace. It is 40 km north of Naples. More details ...

Gulf of Naples

Near the city, in the Gulf of Naples, there are islands - the fashionable Capri, the blessed Ischia, the resort of Ventoten, the uninhabited Vivara.

Resorts of the Sorrento Peninsula

Further south lies a series of resorts on the Sorrento Peninsula.

Amalfi Coast

Amazing landscapes of the Amalfi coast, panoramic views from the top of Monte Faito attract tourists.

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Watch the video: Naples and Pompeii (April 2024).