Naples

Naples (Napoli) – the capital of Campania region, the third-largest city of Italy, with 967 000 inhabitants. Located on the Gulf of Naples, between two volcanic regions: Mount Vesuvius and Campi Flegrei (Phlegraean Fields). One of the wolrd’s oldest continuously inhabited urban areas – the first colony (Parthenope) was set up on Megaride islet in 9th century BC, from 6th century it was called Neápolis (New City).

The historic centre of Naples is among the largest in Europe and since 1995 it is on UNESCO World Heritage Site list.

The world famous dish – pizza origins from Naples. The city is also know for its presepi tradition.

Sights / Things to do in Naples:

⇒ castles and palaces

Palazzo Reale di Napoli / Royal Palace of Naples,
Castel dell’Ovo (Egg Castle),
Castel Nuovo (New Castle) / Maschio Angioino (Angevin Keep) – from 13th century, here Pope Celestine V resigned as pope in 1294,
Castel Capuano – from 12th century, Hall of justice from the 16th century,
Castel Sant’Elmo – medieval fortress from 14th century at Vomero hill, now: museum of the 20th century,
The Carmine Castle – from 1392, demolished in 1906 that the Via Marina could have been built, with two remaining towers,
Vigliena Fort – from 1702, now abandoned in ruin;

⇒ hundreds of beautiful churches, monasteries and religious sculpures (-> Sacred Naples);

⇒ public squares

Piazza del Plebiscito – the main square of the city, covered with Vesuvian volcanic rock, a piazza with the Royal Palace, the church of San Francesco di Paola, Palazzo Salerno, the Prefecture Palace,
Piazza Dante,
Piazza dei Martiri;

⇒ museums

Naples National Archaeological Museum,
Museo di Capodimonte,
Certosa di San Martino – former monastery complex, located at the Vomero hill, today: National Museum of San Martino, with the biggest in the world collecion of presepi (nativity scenes),
Coral Jewellery Museum;

⇒ subterranean Naples

Underground Naples,
Catacombs of San Gennaro,
Catacombs of Saint Gaudiosus,
San Pietro ad Aram basilica;

⇒ other

Teatro di San Carlo / San Carlo Theatre – the oldest opera house in Italy,
Galleria Umberto I – a shopping centre with restaurants,
Centro direzionale di Napoli – business centre,
buildings in Neo-Gothic style (Aselmeyer Castle, by Lamont Young) and in Liberty Napoletano style (Art Nouveau);

⇒ parks

Villa Comunale,
Parco Virgiliano;

⇒ in the Metropolitan City of Naples area: Roman ruins of Pompeii, Herculaneum, Oplontis (in Torre Annunziata) and Stabiae – destroyed in 79 by the eruption of Vesuvius.