THE HIDDEN CITY BELOW NAPLES "1-2 DAY" ITINERARY 🔥💀🌴🦴🏛️
.
Napoli sotterranea + la Neapolis sotterranea (scavi di San Lorenzo ) + La Napoli sotterranea (quartieri Spagnoli) +la Galleria Borbonica + Catacombe di San Gennaro e San Gaudioso + Santa Maria delle Anime del Purgatorio ad Arco + cimitero delle Fontanelle + Grotta di Pausylipon
.
🛎️ TO BE UPDATED JOIN OUR FACEBOOK GROUP FOLLOW THE LINK BELOW 👇
.
Naples Underground (Napoli Sotterranea) is one of the most popular attractions in Italy’s southern city of Naples. This underground route that includes everything from ancient Roman ruins and aqueducts to caverns used as bomb shelters during World War II provides a fascinating glimpse into the history of Naples that is compelling for both adults and younger travelers. The route is easily accessible and can be enjoyed by the entire family and even travelers who suffer from claustrophobia.
.
What is Naples Underground? ( Napoli sotteranea)
The ancient Greeks built much of their city here on the Bay of Naples with tuff stone that they extracted from underground, leaving behind caverns and tunnels. The Agorà (main square) once sat where the Basilica di San Lorenzo is now located.
.
The Romans expanded the city, adding a sewer system and underground aqueduct that transported water from springs near Serino to the city center.
.
During the Bourbon reign, Naples' ancient Roman aqueduct was expanded and the city became one of the first in Europe to provide potable water to residents' homes.
.
The underground tunnels and caverns dug out over the millennia were used as bomb shelters during WWII, and Neapolitans would head beneath the city to take cover during raids.
.
Today, in addition to being a popular tourist attraction, the Napoli Sotteranea site houses a number of scientific experiments, including underground gardens and seismic instruments to monitor any activity on Mt. Vesuvius.
.
NAPOLI SOTTERRANEA - THE UNDERGROUND TOUR FROM VIA DEI TRIBUNALI
Address : Piazza San Gaetano, 68
Tripadvisor link : https://www.tripadvisor.it/Attraction_Review-g187785...
Official webpage : https://www.napolisotterranea.org/en/
Offical skip the line ticket : https://booking.napolisotterranea.org/?action=changelang...
.
- Departure point: Piazza San Gaetano, 68 (in the historic center of Naples)
.
- Hours: open daily; tours are offered in English at 10AM, noon, 2PM, 4PM, and 6PM.
.
- Duration: 90 minutes
.
- Tickets: EUR 10 for adults; children under 5 free; discount for children between 5 and 17 years of age
.
ABOUT NAPOLI SOTTERANEA
The Napoli Sotterranea (Underground Naples) guided tour begins at street level in Piazza San Gaetano, a cross street of Via dei Tribunali, in the heart of Naples' historic center (once known as Neapolis). At the entrance, there are 136 low and easy-to-navigate steps that take you 40 meters below the modern city. Here, you can admire caverns carved into the soft tuff stone in the fourth century and first used as cisterns for water; in the mid-20th century, these same rooms protected locals as air-raid shelters. The tour then passes the earthquake monitoring station to visit a number of ancient ruins, including burial catacombs. The walking tour takes about an hour to complete and the spaces are all quite large. There is one tight passage of underground tunnels that is about 10 meters in length, is lit only by candles, and leads to a cistern (once part of the Roman aqueduct system); visiting this portion of the route is optional and those who would rather avoid this enclosed space can sit it out on a nearby bench.
.
After the initial section, the tour continues with a visit to an ancient Greek-Roman theater.
- The Greco-Roman theater is accessed through a “secret hatch” hidden beneath the bed of a ground-floor apartment (traditional Neapolitan “basso” apartments - WHAT IS "BASSO NAPOLETANO" ? - https://www.facebook.com/share/p/3pS4KgLVtf582Yfx/ - Neapolitan traditional house)
and is the remains of a performance space in the ancient city dating from Emperor Nero, as well as a number of canals dating from the time of the Bourbon reign and decorated with delightful majolica ceramics.
.
At the end of the tour, you can stop at the War Museum (Museo della Guerra) to admire documents and other artifacts from the Second World War.
.
TIPS FOR VISITING NAPOLI SOTTERANEA
The route is not challenging and anyone can visit. If you are traveling with young children, opt for a baby carrier or backpack rather than a stroller as there are a number of steps; there is a baby stroller (pushchair) parking area at the entrance. The steps are wide, have a handrail, and are easy to navigate even for those who have to be cautious about stairs.
The underground spaces are all quite large and are suitable even for visitors who suffer from claustrophobia. Visitors can decide to leave the tour at any point and return to ground level if they decide that they are not comfortable remaining underground.
The temperatures inside Naples Underground remain quite cool all year round, so bring a light jacket or sweater in the summer months.
.
LA NEAPOLIS SOTTERANEA - THE ARCHEOLOGICAL EXCAVATIONS OF SAN LORENZO MAGGIORE (476 B.C.) and the CHURCH OF SAN LORENZO MAGGIORE ( 1283)
.
Beneath the spectacular Basilica of San Lorenzo and just steps from San Gregorio Armeno hide remains of the Greek and Roman city of Neapolis, the first inhabited settlement that grew to become present-day Naples. Venture underground to walk along an ancient road lined with the remains of shops like a bakery and butcher. The entrance is located in Piazza San Gaetano 316, a few steps from the classic route above.
.
Address: Piazza San Gaetano, 316, 80138 Napoli NA
Opening hours : Every day from 9.30am to 5.30pm
On line ticket + Guided tour : https://www.laneapolissotterrata.it/Home/Index?aspxerrorpath=/it/prenotazioni-tour-operator-scuole-e-associazioni/
.
MORE INFO ABOUT SAN LORENZO MAGGIORE CHURCH + EXCAVATIONS
.
In 474 BC. the Second Battle of Cumae ends with the defeat of the Etruscans, inflicted by the combined forces of Cumae and Syracuse, and Greek control of the coast is re-established. Around 470 BC, again by the Cumans, the "new city", NEAPOLIS, was founded to the east of the original settlement, which saw rapid development favored by the decline of Syracusan power and a close link with Athens. Over time, Partenope will take on the name of Palaepolis, "old city". In 421 BC. the Italic populations of the hinterland conquer the cities of Capua and Cuma, leaving Neapolis unscathed, which will therefore be strongly affected by their influence.
.
The archaeological excavations of San Lorenzo Maggiore "contains the DNA of Naples," said maestro Riccardo Muti. In the "graceful and beautiful temple", Boccaccio met Fiammetta for the first time and Petrarca also stayed there. Three different ages that overlap and are concentrated in a single place. You can discover it by descending to the Naples under the ground. Neapolis Sotterrata offers a journey back in time to discover the origins of the history of Naples.
.
Painters, architects, sculptors and archaeologists wrote pages full of the enchantment of the basilica and the archaeological excavations of San Lorenzo Maggiore. Because it is here, in the very heart of Naples underground, that the two souls of the city of Virgilio and San Gennaro come together to create a mixture of rare beauty. "It's a monument that you can read like a book. The history of Naples can be read clearly in the San Lorenzo Maggiore complex. Here you find the DNA of Naples " said maestro Riccardo Muti before a concert. And a sentence was never more appropriate than this one to identify the "graceful and beautiful temple", as Boccaccio called it, which in that church, in 1334, met for the first time Fiammetta and where, a few years later, Petrarch stayed.
.
LA NAPOLI SOTTERRANEA (QUARTIERI SPAGNOLI)
This underground site, which (somewhat confusingly), shares the same name as the main Naples Underground discussed above, begins from Piazza Trieste e Trento next to the central Piazza Plebiscito and just opposite the Royal Palace. The route snakes its way through a warren of tunnels directly beneath the heart of the centro storico, the Quartieri Spagnoli. The site is appropriate for all visitors.
.
Address : Vico S. Anna di Palazzo, 52, 80132 Napoli NA
Meeting point : Piazza triste e trento - BAR GAMBRINUS
Official website : https://www.lanapolisotterranea.it/
.
THE BURBON GALLERY (Galleria Borbonica)
Address : Via Domenico Morelli, 61 c, 80121 Napoli NA
Official website - online ticket : https://www.galleriaborbonica.com/it/home/home/
.
This underground site was excavated by Frederick II of Bourbon and stretches from the Royal Palace to Piazza Vittoria near the seafront; it was constructed to provide the royal family an escape route in case of an uprising. There are a number of visitor routes to choose from, from the classic option that includes a stretch on a charming raft to the more adventurous option that includes a spelunking portion. There are different entrances depending on the route you choose: the Domenico Morelli parking area, Via Monte di Dio, or Vico del Grottone near Piazza Plebiscito.
.
THE CATACOMBS OF SAN GENNARO AND SAN GAUDIOSO
- The catacombs of San Gennaro and San Gaudioso 551 B.C.
Address : Via Sanità, 123, 80136 Napoli ( close the Basilica os Santa Maria della Sanita' )
Google link : https://g.co/kgs/gZcVJj9
IMPORTANT TIPS Combined Ticket cost € 13.00 ( per person) and you also have the opportunity to see the catacombs of San Gennaro with the same ticket . Tours are available in english/french/italian/spanish . The tour starts every hour from 10 am to 5 pm
.
THE CATACOMBS OF SAN GENNARO ( detailed)
Address : Via Capodimonte, 13, 80100 Napoli NA
Google link : https://g.co/kgs/ALUDv4u
Official website and Online ticket : https://catacombedinapoli.it/it/
.
The San Gennaro Catacombs (or Catacombe di San Gennaro), located in the Rione Sanità district of Naples, are both unique and unforgettable.
.
A symbol of the city's fascination with the afterlife and the strong, daily connection with the deceased, the catacombs blend pagan and religious beliefs with folklore, tradition, and superstition. In addition to a unique glimpse into this facet of local culture, a visit to the Catacombe di San Gennaro provides the opportunity to explore Naples underground, taking in the caves and caverns that have been used by Neapolitans for centuries for shelter, storage, and—of course—burials
.
What Are the Catacombe di San Gennaro?
The Catacombe di San Gennaro are an extensive ancient burial site (the oldest part of the site dates back to the second century AD), with two levels of tombs dating from different time periods and with different characteristics. Archaeologists estimate that the tombs contain the remains of around 3,000 burials, though only a portion have been excavated.
.
Inside the Catacombe di San Gennaro, you can also visit the Cripta dei Vescovi (Crypt of the Bishops) where the city's bishops were buried, as well as an underground basilica with three naves, known as the Basilica Adjecta. One of the highlights of the site is the Tomba di San Gennaro (San Gennaro's Tomb), where relics of Naples' beloved patron saint where placed during the 5th century (they are currently held in the city's cathedral, il "Duomo di Napoli").
.
- CLAUSTROFOBIA ? No problem!
Thanks to the unique properties of Vesuvian tufa stone, the Catacombe di San Gennaro are composed of relatively large caverns (the ceilings of the lower level of catacombs are as high as six meters in places), so those who are uncomfortable in small, enclosed spaces should have no trouble
.
TIPS : Bring a jacket!
The temperature inside the Catacombe di San Gennaro stays at a cool 15 to 22 degrees C. We suggest bringing a light jacket or sweater, even during the summer months (in particular during the summer, when the difference between outside and inside temperatures can be uncomfortable). We also suggest choosing comfortable shoes to visit the Catacombe di San Gennaro.
.
THE CATACOMB OF SAN GAUDIOSO ( detailed)
Address : Via Sanità, 123, 80136 Napoli NA
Google link : https://g.co/kgs/7XYA6J4
Official website and on line ticket : https://catacombedinapoli.it/.../pianifica-visita.../
.
The Catacombs of San Gaudioso are one of the oldest underground cemeteries in Naples, testimony to the city's long history and its citizens' complex relationship with the afterlife and the dead.
.
This historic burial ground is located in one of the most important neighborhoods in the city, Rione Sanità, which once was home to nine different underground cemeteries.
.
WHY VISIT THE CATACOMBS OF SAN GAUDIOSO ?
The Catacombe di San Gaudioso are the second largest in Naples after those of San Gennaro, with a history that dates back to the paleochristian era. In addition to ancient tombs, San Gaudioso is home to beautiful frescoes and mosaics from the 5th and 6th century that depict early Christian symbols like the fish, lamb, and grapevines with shoots. In the 1600s, the Catacombe di San Gaudioso became an important burial site for Naples' noble and aristocratic families. During your visit, you can discover a number of Neapolitan traditions and folklore around the cult of the dead and the afterlife, including rituals like the “scolatura dei defunti,” or the "draining" of cadavers, and the “schiattamuorto,” or gravedigger.
.
TIPS : I suggest comfortable shoes and a light sweater or jacket to visit the Catacombe di San Gaudioso, as temperatures below ground remain at a cool 15 degrees C even in summer.
.
THE CHURCH AND MUSEUM OF SANTA MARIA DELLE ANIME DEL PURGATORIO AD ARCO - 17th century
.
Address : Via dei Tribunali, 39, 80138 Napoli NA
Official web site and online ticket : https://www.purgatorioadarco.it/en/
Guided tours in English only on request with reservation
To book it is necessary to send an email to complessomusealepurgatorio@gmail.com
To book it is necessary to send an email to complessomusealepurgatorio@gmail.com
.
You will immediately spot this church set along Via dei Tribunali by the skulls decorating the entrance. This was once the most important hub of the Neapolitan tradition of "anime pezzentelle", or souls trapped in Purgatory who needed prayers from the living to release them into paradise. You can see the skull of "Lucia", covered in a bridal veil and decorated with flowers; according to legend, she died shortly before her wedding day.
.
More info about the church of purgatorio ad arco and the cult of the pour souls
.
.
THE FONTANELLE CEMETRY
Address : Via Fontanelle, 80, 80136 Napoli NA
.
One of the most recent catacombs this burial site was founded in the 16th century as a mass grave for victims of the plague and became used as a paupers' grave over the following centuries. Today it holds almost 40,000 skulls
.
THE PAUSYLIPON AND SEIANO GROTTO ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE
.
Address: Discesa Coroglio, 36, 80123 Napoli NA
Google link : https://g.co/kgs/iyvykng
Tripadvisor link : https://www.tripadvisor.it/Attraction_Review-g187785...
.
This ancient site in the Posillipo neighborhood contains a number of Roman ruins, including a theater and aqueduct. Visitors can access the site by passing through the Grotta di Seiano, a network of underground tunnels that were once used as part of the city's drainage system. The site is particularly spectacular due to the views over the Bay of Trentaremi and is a fascinating off-the-beaten-path site far from the tourist crowds.
.
My last TIPS
I suggest you being at Capodichino airport at least 3 hours before your plane's departure.
.
-🛎️ Are you Looking to book superhost apts in Naples (OLD TOWN - METRO - CITY CENTER - BALCONY CITY VIEW ) ? well this is the right moment , follow the link above :
.
- 🛎️ In case you need we we can provide private transfer (to/from everywhere,airport included ) Tour Guide service (pompei herculaneum, etc ) Amalfi Coast tour with a driver ( Positano , Ravello , Amalfi etc) , contact me in advance and ask for availability
.
.
Nessun commento:
Posta un commento