NAPLES HISTORIC CENTER VISITING (the most Iconic Landmark ) 🌶️

NAPLES HISTORIC CENTER VISITING  

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With more than 2,000 years of history, Naples is one of the oldest cities in Italy (yes, even Rome!) and in all of Europe. Its historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has one of the most captivating atmospheres of any Italian city, a mix of Neapolitan verve and Mediterranean warmth. This is a city you should visit without an open mind, exploring its maze of streets in the old town, admiring its wealth of art and architecture, and stopping to sample the famed street food icons like mozzarella-topped pizza margherita from traditional pizzerias and sweet sfogliatella pastries... all washed down with a bracing espresso. 

WHAT YOU MUST SEE 

The headliner in Naples is its historic center (centro storico), which you can visit on foot by strolling the length of Via dei Tribunali and Spaccanapoli, as well as their many cross streets. This is where the famed Sansevero Chapel (Cappella Sansevero) is located, home to the astounding Veiled Christ statue (Cristo Velato) by Giuseppe Sanmartino.

MUSEO CAPPELLA SAN SEVERO - 1593 ( SAN SEVERO CHAPEL)

Address : Via Francesco de Sanctis, 19/21, 80134 Napoli NA

Google link : https://g.co/kgs/d3a7VVE

Tripadvisor link : https://www.tripadvisor.it/Attraction_Review-g187785...

On line ticket : https://www.museosansevero.it/la.../la-cappella/storia

My tip : pre-book the ticket on line to skip the long line

Opening times : Daily: 9.00 am – 7.00 pm / Closed on Tuesdays
Last entry 30 mins before closing

STONE OR CLOTH ?

According to popular legend - fueled by the Prince of Sansevero's fame as an alchemist, who commissioned the Veiled Christ - the veil covering the body of Christ is actually made of cloth that was transformed into marble by a mysterious alchemic reaction. The mysterious “anatomic models” displayed below the Sansevero Chapel are also wrapped in layers of myth and legend, lending further veracity to claims about the statue above.

Located in the heart of the historic center of Naples, near Piazza San Domenico Maggiore, the Sansevero Chapel, also called "Santa Maria della Pietà" or "Pietatella", with its Veiled Christ, is a priceless art masterpiece.

But it is impossible to speak about it without mentioning its creator: Raimondo di Sangro, prince of Sansevero. A person with a eclectic personality, who was, among other things, inventor, esoteric, alchemist, patron and grand master of Neapolitan Freemasonry.

In fact, although the origin of the chapel dates back to the early 1600s after a legendary appearance of the Virgin Mary image, there is little left of the original structure. Raimondo di Sangro in the 1740s completely reorganized the Chapel with new and personal criteria, giving it the appearance we see today.

With the aim of making this mausoleum worthy of his family's greatness, he hired the most renowned painters and sculptors of the time in order to enrich it with works of great value. Each of them had to perform a specific function in the iconographic project he imagined and probably unknown to the artists themselves.

An extraordinary masterpiece: The Veiled Christ

-In this context one of the world's greatest sculptural masterpieces was born: the Veiled Christ realized by Giuseppe Sanmartino.

Just think that Antonio Canova, one of the greatest exponents of the sculpture, declared that he would have given ten years of his life just to be the author of this piece and it seems that he also tried to buy it during a visit to Naples.

The work represents the dead Christ, life-size, lying on a marble mattress, covered with a veil made from the same block as the statue, which covers the body without concealing it. The sculptor's skill lies precisely in the realization of the veil which reveals the signs of the suffered martyrdom, transmitting us and intensifying the pain.

This masterful realization of the veil, such as to seem real, fomented the legend according to which it was a true veil "marbled" following an alchemical process, thanks to the magical knowledge of the Prince of Sansevero. It is also said that Raimondo di Sangro blinded Sanmartino so that he could not reproduce similar masterpieces for other people. Obviously these are only popular legends, among the many that centre on the Prince of Sansevero.

The most relevant sculptures of the Sansevero Chapel and their symbolism

- Raimondo di Sangro designed the chapel following a precise iconographic project, but it was difficult to find a clear and univocal interpretation of it due to its complexity. But we can certainly say that there are numerous decorative elements that recall Masonic worship and esotericism.

The labyrinthine floor represented the path that the initiate had to take to reach knowledge. Unfortunately it was removed due to a water infiltration that took place at the end of the 19th century, but some parts of it were preserved.

The ten statues of the Virtues indicate the spiritual path that every man must take to reach self-understanding and self-improvement. They, alternated with the funeral and celebratory monuments of the family members, are dedicated to the wives of the princes of Sansevero, with the exception of the two most important and significant sculptures of the chapel together with the Veiled Christ: the Veiled Truth and Release from Deception.

The Veiled Truth (or Modesty or Chastity; Italian: La Pudicizia) is dedicated to the prince's mother, Cecilia Gaetani dell'Aquila d'Aragona, who died when Raimondo was not even one years old.

The statue represents a woman completely covered with a semitransparent veil, surrounded by a garland of roses and holding a broken plaque with her left arm. Elements, together with the tree of life placed at the foot of the statue, which symbolize the premature death of the princess.

There is also a clear reference to the veiled Egyptian divinity Isis, goddess of fertility and initiatory science and therefore a symbol of wisdom.

The Modesty ( la Pudicizia) was realized by Antonio Corradini and probably represents his masterpiece. He died the same year of its realization, in 1752, as testified on the plaque. Corradini was also a Freemason and was the author of many drafts of the works present in the chapel collaborating on the prince's iconographic project. He should also have been the author of the Veiled Christ, but the work passed to Sanmartino after his death.

Release from Deception (Italian: il Disinganno)

- is dedicated to his father, Antonio di Sangro. After the death of his wife, he led a disordered life, traveling around Europe and leaving his son Raimondo to his paternal grandfather. Becoming old, he returned to Naples, repenting of his sins and dedicating himself to a priestly life.

The sculpture portrays a man who frees himself from a net, which represents sin. He is helped by a putto, symbol of the human intellect, which indicates the globe, symbol of worldliness. The bible at the foot of the globe is the element we get rid of sin, that is the faith. The element that leaves us amazed is precisely the net, which the sculptor Francesco Queirolo has created with impeccable virtuosity.

On the base of the pillar, the biblical episode Healing the man born blind, probably reference to Freemasonry, in which during the initiation the aspirants were blindfolded, then they could open their eyes and understand the truth.

The curious experiment of the Anatomical Machines

-Another great point of interest of the chapel and among the most curious experiments of the Prince of Sansevero, is represented by the Anatomical Machines, two skeletons, a man and a woman, completely defleshed and with a detailed reproduction of the whole circulatory system. Placed inside glass cases in the underground cavea of the chapel, they were made by a doctor from Palermo, Giuseppe Salerno.

The skeletons are real. It seems that the woman had died during labor, testified by a fetus with the remains of the placenta and umbilical cord exposed to her feet, but it was stolen in the 1990s.

The circulatory system, however, has aroused many rumors because the precision of its realization clashes with the knowledge that people had at the time. It was said that the prince through alchemical processes had injected into the bodies of two living servants a liquid he created capable of transforming blood into metal in order to preserve the entire circulatory system.

Numerous studies denied this hypothesis, showing that the veins and arteries are not real, but made with wax, iron threads and silk fibers.

The creation and the exibition of these machines was made certainly for educational purposes, but for sure the ultimate goal of Prince Raimondo was to amaze the spectators, as all the wonders in the Sansevero Chapel do.

You can also access Naples Underground (Napoli Sotterranea) and the Galleria Borbonica from the historic center, an ancient warren of tunnels that run under the modern city and house a number of Greek and Roman archaeological treasures. Be sure to visit the baroque Duomo, Naples' main cathedral dedicated to the city's patron saint of San Gennaro (and where the legendary ampoule of the saint's blood and the breathtaking Tesoro di San Gennaro are located), as well as the Monastery of Santa Chiara and its beautiful majolica-tiled cloister, and the churches of Gesù Nuovo and San Domenico. In Piazza del Plebiscito, you can tour the Royal Palace (Palazzo Reale) and the San Carlo Opera House (Teatro San Carlo). You'll also want to take a walks down Via San Gregorio Armeno, the picturesque lane lined by artisan workshops that make traditional Neapolitan nativity scenes. Art lovers should pop into the 17th-century Pio Monte della Misericordia to admire works by Caravaggio.

NAPOLI SOTTERRANEA - 4th century BC - (Italian for Naples Underground) 

Hidden under the streets of Naples, Napoli Sotterranea holds the key to understanding the city's history

Address  : Piazza San Gaetano, 68

Google link : https://g.co/kgs/Hs1nYLb

Link Skip the line : https://www.napolisotterranea.org/.../il-percorso-teatro.../

Schedule : Guided tours in English: daily at 10 am, 12 pm, 2 pm, 4 pm and 6 pm.

A look back in time

Originally dug by the Ancient Greeks for material to build Neapolis in the 4th century BC, these underground tunnels were later used by the Romans as aqueducts to supply water to the city. Expanded over two and a half millennia, this subterranean network stretches for 280 miles (450 kilometres) under modern Naples.

During the Second World War, Naples was the most bombed city in Italy, but the existence of these secret hiding places lying 120 feet (40 metres) below the earth saved the lives of more than 200,000 people who used the tunnels as bomb shelters.

Having been home to so many people during the war, this labyrinth of tunnels, caves and cisterns was left in disrepair, filled with rubbish and abandoned until some 30 years ago, when it was renovated and converted into one of the city's top tourist attractions

Underground exploration

Climb down more than 100 steps into the belly of Naples and explore the city from a new perspective. Walk through thousands of years of history seeing aqueducts, sewer tunnels, cisterns - some still full of water today -, caverns, catacombs and chambers built out of the rock. Look out for the remains of a Greco-Roman theatre and Emperor Nero's dressing room!

Worth a visit?

Naples Underground is a fascinating visit, however, please note that many of the tunnels are very narrow and dimly lit; some only lit with a small candle. If you suffer from claustrophobia, or don't feel comfortable in small, dark spaces, then this activity is not recommendable for you.

THE BURBON TUNNEL (1853) - the secret escape tunnel of ferdinand ll of 🌶️💀🔥🦇

Address  : Via Domenico Morelli 61c - 80121 Napoli

Buy the ticket , pick your tour https://www.galleriaborbonica.com/en/home/home

History of the Bourbon Tunnel

The history of the Bourbon Tunnel dates back to 1853, when Ferdinand II of Bourbon ordered his architect Enrico Alvino to design an underground escape route, which would allow the monarchs to escape after the uprisings of 1848. It was also used as a military passage for all the troops who had acquartiated in Via Pace (now Via Domenico Morelli), in defence of the Royal Palace. But the works were interrupted only two years later, in 1855, because of the political events that culminated in the end of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies and the consequent expulsion of the Bourbons.

However, it was completed on 25 May of that same year, the day of its inauguration. The initial project consisted of an excavation of the tuff mountain, from which two galleries would be extended for about 84 m and would culminate in two quarries called "Cave Carafa". At that point, however, the passage was blocked by the ancient aqueduct of Bolla, where the tunnel was finally completed with masonry and brick works, without destroying all the wells and tanks that were later separated by masonry viaducts.

During the Second World War, the Bourbon Tunnel was used as a refuge for all citizens who lost their homes in the period between 1939 and 1945; the tanks were, in fact, used as a refuge for more than 10,000 people who tried to save themselves running through the staircase of 90 steps, which is still located in Piazza Carolina. The UNPA (National Union for Anti-Aircraft Protection) provided the rooms with an electrical system and bathrooms; moreover, most of the walls and vaults were covered with hydraulic mortar to guarantee the brightness of the spaces.

In 1970 it became a Judicial Depot, where all the old vehicles and "new" motorcycles (such as Vespas) were stored, and which are now visible to many tourists. But it was only in 2005 that, with the help of two geologists (who founded the Underground Bourbon Cultural Association), the current Bourbon Gallery saw the light. Today, it is one of the most attractive places in Naples, which offers the possibility of choosing between 4 routes.

THE NAPLES DUOMO AND THE TREASURE OF SAN GENNARO ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE CATHEDRAL IN NAPLES AND ITS MIRACULOUS BLOOD OF SAN GENNARO 

Duomo Di Napoli 

Address :  Via Duomo, 147, 80138 Napoli NA

Google link : https://g.co/kgs/VjGmZex

Naples Duomo tickets and opening hours

The church itself is free to enter; audioguides to the Chapel of San Gennaro are €4/each.

Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday 8:30 AM - 1:30 PM and 2:30 PM - 7:30 PM; Sunday 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM and 4:30 - 7:30 PM.

Officially the Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta (Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta), Naples’ most famous and beloved church is commonly known as simply the Duomo. The hub of Neapolitan spiritual life, the Naples Cathedral is also home to the annual miraculous liquefaction of the blood of patron saint, San Gennaro, one of the city’s cultural touchstones.

The Duomo di Napoli is the seat of the archdiocese and has a complex history that stretches back almost 1,000 years. It houses two additional religious buildings, which were incorporated into the design of the cathedral and now serve as two side chapels: the Basilica of Santa Restituta, with the ancient Baptistery of San Giovanni; and the Chapel of the Treasure of San Gennaro, where the relics of the beloved patron of the city are kept.

A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE DUOMO IN NAPLES 

The construction of the Cathedral began in the 13th century when the city was under Angevin rule, but several religious buildings had already occupied the site for centuries. The Basilica of Santa Restituta and another early Christian church - known as the Basilica Stefania and built on the ruins of a Roman temple probably dedicated to the god Apollo - both stood here when the construction of the new cathedral was commissioned by King Charles II of Anjou.

The king entrusted the design to French and Italian architects, including Giovanni and Nicola Pisano, and the cathedral was completed during the reign of his son Roberto in 1314.

Over the centuries, the Cathedral of Naples has survived collapses, bombings, earthquakes, and a series of renovations in various architectural styles. The interiors, the apse, and the facade have been modified or rebuilt several times, first in the Gothic style, then in the Baroque style, and finally in the current Neo-Gothic style designed by Enrico Alvino.

In 1497, Cardinal Oliviero Carafa decided to add the Succorpo Chapel, a crypt with decorations by Tommaso Malvito, to house the relics of San Gennaro when they were returned to the city. Further restorations were needed after the Allied bombing of WWII.

THE CATHEDRAL LEGEND 

There once stood a large bronze equestrian statue just outside the former cathedral, said to have been magically created by Virgil and endowed with the miraculous power to heal sick horses. In an attempt to put an end to the superstition, the statue was removed in 1332 by Cardinal Filomarino, who had it melted down to make the bells of the new cathedral.

HIGHLIGHTS INSIDE THE NAPLES DUOMO  

The Neapolitan Cathedral is laid out in a Latin cross plan with three naves and several side chapels. The central nave, about 100 meters long and 35 meters high, has a beautiful coffered ceiling with 17th-century paintings. The nave walls are decorated with works by Luca Giordano depicting apostles, doctors of the Roman Catholic Church, and the patron saints of Naples.

The counter-façade houses the tombs of Angevin rulers including Charles I of Anjou and Carlo Martello, while the transept houses burial markers, bas-reliefs, and sculptures from various eras. The main altar is decorated with bas-reliefs and houses relics of a number of saints.

BASILICA DI SANTA RESTITUTA 

Along the left aisle and after the third chapel stands the oldest early Christian basilica in Naples, the Basilica of Santa Restituta. This ancient church dates back to the 4th century and was incorporated into the Cathedral of Naples when it was built almost 1,000 years later; it is decorated with 14th-century works by Luca Giordano. The basilica leads to the Baptistery of San Giovanni in Fonte, which may have been built by Emperor Constantine.

THE CHAPEL OF THE TREASURY OF SAN GENNARO 

The Chapel of the Treasury sits along the right aisle of the cathedral and houses the relics of San Gennaro (Saint Januarius), including bones and two ampoules containing what is believed to be the saint's blood. The chapel was built in a Greek cross plan by the architect Francesco Grimaldi following the vow made by the Neapolitans to the patron saint during the terrible plague of 1526 and is decorated with ornate frescoes.

Cappella Capece Minutolo

This marvelous Gothic-Angevin chapel is one of the most important in the church. Stop to admire the 14th-century triptych and the fabulous mosaic floor.

The Museum of the Treasury of San Gennaro

Address :  Via Duomo, 149, 80138 Napoli NA

Google link : https://g.co/kgs/AsvqQdH

You must purchase a ticket to visit the Museum of the Treasure of San Gennaro.

Opening Hours: daily 9:30 AM to 6:30 PM (last entrance 5:30 PM).

Tickets: €10; €7 for over 65 and companions of disabled visitors; free for under 12 and disabled visitors; audioguide included.

The Museo del Tesoro di San Gennaro is located next to the Duomo and houses sacred vestments and other objects which, according to tradition, belonged to the patron saint of Naples, plus sacred furnishings and works of art.

But the true masterpiece of the museum is the jeweled Miter of San Gennaro, one of the most precious art objects in the world. The headdress is, in fact, studded with 3,694 precious stones: 198 emeralds, 168 rubies and 3,328 diamonds, mounted to compose a design of flowers and leaves.

THE MIRACUOLUS  LIQUEFACTION OF LIQUEFACTION OF THE BLOOD OF SAN GENNARO 

San Gennaro, patron saint of the city affectionately known by the Neapolitans as "Face 'Ngialluta" (or “Yellow Face”, from the color of the golden bust of the saint that is carried in procession), was a bishop of Benevento who lived between the 2nd and 3rd centuries. According to tradition, at the martyr’s beheading, a pious woman named Eusebia collected his blood in two ampoules, which today are kept in the safe behind the altar of the Royal Chapel of the Treasury of San Gennaro. Three times a year the archbishop of Naples removes them from the safe during a solemn ceremony and shakes them until the blood miraculously liquifies. This rite is performed in front of a huge crowd of the city’s faithful, municipal authorities, and women believed to be the descendants of Eusebia, who hasten the miracle with song. The Roman Catholic Church has never recognized the phenomenon as miraculous, but it sanctions its popular veneration.

One of the two ampoules is almost full, while the other is almost empty. King Charles of Bourbon took part of the contents with him when he left Italy for Spain to become regent there.

The liquefaction of the blood of San Gennaro is considered by Neapolitans to be a good omen, while the lack of liquefaction is seen as a sign of terrible events to come. According to popular belief, "Yellow Face" also saved the city of Naples from the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 1631, when the lava flow stopped right in front of the saint's relics carried in procession on the volcano.

The miracle of liquefaction takes place on the 19th of September, the Saturday before the first Sunday in May, and on the 16th of December. If you intend to attend the ritual, be prepared to face a huge crowd of the faithful, the curious, and unsuspecting tourists. Reach the Duomo early in the morning to find a spot inside and be patient!

BASILICA AND CHIOSTRO  DI SANTA CHIARA 14th

Address : Via Santa Chiara, 49/c, 80134 Napoli NA

Google link : https://g.co/kgs/5XhgDT6

TIP : Inside the complex you must visit th ancient cloister "maiolicato" + the archeological remains of a Roma spa + the museum + the nativity scene ( presepe)

Link : https://www.monasterodisantachiara.it/

Ticket on the spot - you can visit the cloister of clarisse + museum + roman spa remains ( not crowded)

Opening hours : 7: 30-12: 30/16: 00-19: 45 free entry only for the church

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The monumental complex of Santa Chiara was built from 1310 to 1340 by the monarch Roberto D’Angiò and located in the heart of the historic center of Naples. The original Gothic plant followed a Baroque renovation in the 17th century, until it was almost completely destroyed by the bombings of the allies during the Second World War. Then the basilica was restored in its original Gothic form. The interior strikes for its vastness and simplicity; inside the building you could also find the tomb of King Roberto and the tomb of the national italian hero Salvo d’Acquisto. More over in the Basilica you could visit a priceless treasure: the cloister of the Clarisse, designed by Domenico Antonio Vaccaro and decorated with eighteenth century majolica by Giuseppe and Donato Massa.

CHURCH OF GESU' NUOVO 16th

Address : Piazza del Gesù Nuovo, 2, 80134 Napoli NA

Opening Hours : 8:00 /12:00 - 16 00/19:00 

TIP : free entry inside

 The church is the final resting place of much-loved local saint Giuseppe Moscati (1880–1927), a doctor who served the city's poor. Many devotees visit this church to ask for healing and any kind of grace to the Saint "healing" doctor

Discover the esoteric legend of the church's facade......

In the Gesù Nuovo Square , behind the facade of black stone of the Renaissance Palace Sanseverino , you can find the amazing Church of Gesù Nuovo. The Church was built by the Jesuits and inaugurated in 1597 ; it boats the highest concentrations of painting and baroque sculpture of the most influential artists of the neapolitan school . Among the rich marble decorations, frescoes and paintings, the interior features, among others, works by Ribera , Fanzago and Giordano

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CHURCH OF SAN DOMENICO MAGGIORE 13th

Address : P.za S. Domenico Maggiore, 8a, 80134 Napoli NA

Google link : https://g.co/kgs/dUynLwR

Opening hours : 9:00 - 18:00 free entry

Website : https://domasandomenicomaggiore.it/

Located on the square of the same name in the heart of the old town, it was built by Carlo d’Angiò between 1283 and 1324 in Gothic forms , incorporating a pre-existing church from the 10th century BC. It is considered the most important place for the spread of dominican order in southern Italy and hada long tradition ofcollaboration with illustrious personalities, such as Tommaso D’Aquino , Giordano Bruno and Tommaso Campanella . Over the centuries, it has been restored several times, but the most important remake was operated by Vaccaro who transformed its original Gothic forms into Baroque . The church is full of works of art, in particular, the seventeenth-century major altar work of Fanzago and the canvases of Solimena and De Vivo .

THE ROYAL PALACE (Palazzo Reale )

The lavish Bourbon residence in the heart of the city

Address : Piazza del Plebiscito

Google link : https://g.co/kgs/in27MAJ

Hours: 9AM to 8PM

Closed: Wednesday, 25 December, 1 January

Tickets: EUR 10; free for children under 18 , on the spot 

Official Website : https://palazzorealedinapoli.org/

Naples' Royal Palace (Palazzo Reale) sits in the heart of the city on the elegant Piazza del Plebiscito, and is one of four royal residences used by the Bourbons during their reign, together with the Capodimonte Palace, the Royal Palace of Caserta, and the Royal Palace of Portici.

The Palazzo Reale in Naples was the most central of the royal residences and was where the royal family could most often be found during the Bourbon reign from 1734 to 1861. Today, visitors can admire the royal apartments, court theater, library, and gardens overlooking the Bay of Naples.

VISITING NAPLES' ROYAL PALACE 

The main entrance to the Royal Palace can be accessed via Piazza del Plebiscito, the main square in Naples. The exteriors of the palace are rather plain, with just eight statues representing the rulers of Naples decorating the facade. The interiors, however, dazzle, beginning with the monumental staircase at the entrance designed by the architect Genovesi that leads to the court theater, and continuing through the Throne Room and the Royal Apartments. About 30 rooms and halls are open to the public, all ornately decorated by the prominent artists of the Bourbon reign.

After taking in the interiors, visitors can stroll through the Royal Gardens, scattered with statuary and crosscrossed with paths that offer breathtaking views over the Bay of Naples and Mt. Vesuvius.

THE NATIONAL LIBRARY (Biblioteca Nazionale)

The city's national library occupies one wing of the palace, one of the most important in Italy and home to 2 million books and manuscripts, including works by San Tommaso d’Acquino, Giambattista Vico, Torquato Tasso, and Giacomo Leopardi. Papyrus scrolls uncovered at the Herculaneum archaeological ruins are also conserved in the library.

My tip : Entrance to the Biblioteca Nazionale is free.

THE SAN CARLO OPERA HOUSE  (Teatro San Carlo)

Address : Via San Carlo, 98, 80132 Napoli NA

Official website : https://www.teatrosancarlo.it/

Guided tours are offered daily, unless rehearsals for a performance are being held.

Tickets: EUR 9 , on the spot 

Naples' historic Teatro San Carlo was once part of the Royal Palace, and there was a separate entrance leading to the Royal Box. Today, visitors can take in the opulent interiors of this landmark theater even without having to book tickets to a performance.

PIO MONTE DELLA MISERICORDIA 

Address : Via dei Tribunali, 253, 80139 Napoli NA

official webpage  : https://piomontedellamisericordia.it/

Opening hours: Monday to Saturday from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM and Sunday from 9:30 AM to 2:30 PM.

Tickets: On the spot - €8; €6 for visitors under 25. 3D viewer and AR experience: €10 supplement. 

The Pio Monte della Misericordia is a charitable institution with more than four hundred years of history. It still carries on the same mission as when it was founded, namely to help the needy. At the same time, however, it is also one of the most interesting museums in Naples.

In addition to an important archive and a library containing more than 17,000 volumes, the Pio Monte della Misericordia has a rich picture gallery located on the first floor at the top of a beautiful monumental staircase. Collected here are works by the greatest masters of the 17th-century Neapolitan school, including Ribera, Luca Giordano, Mattia Preti and Fracanzano. Strolling through the rooms, which today, as in the 17th century, periodically host meetings of the institution's 'Governors', one can also admire splendid original 17th-century wooden furnishings. 

THE CARAVAGGIO MASTERPIECE  ( The Seven Works of Mercy)

One of the reasons why the Pio Monte della Misericordia is so popular is undoubtedly its splendid chapel. Inside this little Baroque jewel are works by artists such as Luca Giordano and Battistello Caracciolo. However, it is Caravaggio's celebrated painting present that attracts the most interest: the Seven Works of Mercy. A work from 1606, the artist painted it during his first stay in Naples. It is placed in a privileged position above the high altar and is one of three Caravaggio paintings in the city. It is a grandiose work in terms of its size. It is also one of the most important testimonies to the audacity of Caravaggio's genius, who here more than anywhere else completely revolutionised classical iconography.

The Seven Works of Mercy  like in other works by Caravaggio, the characters seem to emerge from the darkness and infuse the scene with striking naturalism and intensity in the dramatic composition.

SAN GREGORIO ARMENO ( the christmas alley) 

San Gregorio Armeno is known as Naples' "Christmas Alley", one of the most famous and visited lanes in the city's historic center.

A popular sight all year long, this short stretch is particularly crowded with visitors in the months of November and December, drawn to the historic artisan shops where traditional nativity scene figurines are crafted by hand. Locals come each Christmas season to purchase new figurines to add to the family nativity scene or simply to see what celebrities have been immortalized that year.

The artisan workshops where traditional Neapolitan nativity scene figurines and set pieces are crafted are open all year round, so San Gregorio Armeno is a fascinating destination any time of year, though it is at its most vibrant (and crowded) during the Christmas season.

GETTING TO SAN GREGORIO ARMENO 

San Gregorio Armeno is located in Naples' historic center; the lane is in the heart of the city's limited traffic area and can only be reached on foot. The short stretch of road connects the Decumano Maggiore (Via dei Tribunali) with the Decumano Inferiore, best known as Spaccanapoli at San Biagio dei Librai.

The best way to approach San Gregorio Armeno is by strolling along Spaccanapoli, setting off from Piazza del Gesù and following Via Benedetto Croce, after taking a few minutes to visit the Monastery of Santa Chiara. Pass through Piazza San Domenico and continue to San Biagio dei Librari until it crosses San Gregorio Armeno on the left.

Now take the funicular to the Vomero hilltop, where the Charterhouse of San Martino (home to the 19th-century National Museum of San Martino) and Castel Sant'Elmo loom above the city, both full of important works of art and offering sweeping views across the city and bay.

CERTOSA DI SAN MARTINO 14th

Ticket on the spot ( not crowded)

Address : Largo S. Martino, 5, 80129 Napoli NA

Google link : https://g.co/kgs/pyAq4jx

Opening times : 9: 30-17: 00

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The Church of San Martino is located inside the Certosa homonymous, erected in 1325 by Carlo D’Angiò. The sovereign wanted it in a dominant position of the city, which is why it rises on the hill overlooking the whole Gulf of Naples. The complex has undergone remodeling and extensions in Baroque style, to the point that today the Certosa is one of the greatest examples of Neapolitan painting and sculpture of the sixteenth century. The church is made up of a single nave with eight side chapels, covered with precious marble tarsie. The vault, which retains the early 14th century structure, is redone by Giovanni Lanfranco in 1637 and depicts the Ascension of Christ in a glory of golden light . In the chorus, large canvases on the walls are commissioned to the greatest artists of the seventeenth century: Guido Reni , Massimo Stanzione, Jusepe de Ribera , Battistello Caracciolo. In the monumental sacristy, the precious walnut cabinets were made by Flemish and Neapolitan artists.

CASTEL SANT'ELMO

(This castle on Vomero hill is the best view point of Naples)

Address : Via Tito Angelini, 20/A, 80129 Napoli NA

Google link : https://g.co/kgs/79K36QD

Ticket on the spot 

At the fortress of Castel Sant' Elmo you look impressively down on the city of Naples. The fortress is located on the top of the Vomero hill and offers you an extraordinary view stretching from the hinterland to the islands and from the Sorrento peninsula to the Mount Vesuvius. The high location and the hexagonal star shape make this fortress a tourist attraction in Naples.

The first documentation of Castel Sant' Elmo dates back to the second half of the 13th century. Roberto of Anjou commissioned the architect and sculptor Tino di Camaino to begin work on Castel Sant' Elmo in 1329. Between 1537 and 1547 Viceroy Don Pedro de Toledo started reconstruction work. The result is the hexagonal fortress we know today. An explosion in 1587 destroyed much of the castle. The reconstruction was done by architect Domenico Fontana.

FUNCTIONS OF CASTEL SANT'ELMO

The Castle of Sant' Elmo became more famous for its role in the Revolution of 1799. A group of intellectuals seized the fortress and proclaimed the Neapolitan Republic. This is entirely inspired by the French Revolution. In the 19th century, the fortress served as a prison. First by the Bourbons, then by the National Guard. After restoration works, Castel Sant' Elmo became the headquarters of the Polo Museale della Campania, the museum network of Campania.

VISIT CASTEL SANT'ELMO

One way you reach Castel Sant' Elmo is by taking a walk through the stylish district of Vomero, which you can easily reach with one of the three funiculars, such as the funicular 'Funicolare di Montesanto'. In total there are three different cable cars to the top of the Vomero mountain. Arriving at the entrance of the castle, you will walk past the watchtowers, have fantastic views of the city and the gulf of Naples. Cultural activities and events regularly take place in Castle Sant' Elmo, which bring a lot of liveliness and activities to the castle.

Tip 1: Combine a visit to the castle with the adjacent monastery CERTOSA DI SAN MARTINO

Tip 2: Are you sporty? You can also walk down instead of taking the funicolare. Opposite the monastery you can descend VIA PEDAMNETINA a path in poor condition via many steps (414) . It is a neglected path with graffiti on all sides, where you descend through a poorer part of Naples and you will return to the center via the back of the 'Quartieiri Spagnoli' district. An interesting way to discover another part of Naples. (This one of my fav path )

Now it is  time to walk along the waterfront promenade of Via Caracciolo between Castel dell'Ovo and the Maschio Angioino (or Castel Nuovo) to admire the views and rub elbows with locals.

The city's top museums include the National Archaeological Museum (Museo Archeologico Nazionale), home of the Farnese collection, archaeological artifacts and frescoes unearthed in Pompeii, and an impressive Egyptian collection; the Capodimonte Museum with fine collection of paintings, and Madre, dedicated to contemporary art.

CASTEL DELL'OVO (literally translated from Italian as "Egg Castle”)

Address : Via Eldorado, 3, 80132 Napoli NA

Google link : https://g.co/kgs/UF3Tr2d

is a medieval castle located in the historic district of Santa Lucia in central Naples. Built in the 12th century, it's the oldest castle in the city and one of the oldest in Italy. The castle was originally constructed to be used as a fortification against Saracen invaders, but has also been used as a prison and royal palace over the centuries. Today it is a popular tourist destination, offering great views of the city and fascinating history. The castle is one of the top sights in Naples and a must for any tour of Campania's regional capital.

THE HISTORY OF CASTEL DELL'OVO

 Castel dell'Ovo is set on the small islet of Megaride off the Neapolitan coast overlooking the city and Gulf of Naples. This rock outcropping, today connected to the mainland by a narrow lip of land, is the oldest part of the city. It was here where the Greeks of Cuma founded the ancient metropolis of Partenope in the 8th century BC.

The Legend of the Siren

According to a very popular myth in ancient Greece, the body of the mermaid Parthenope was transported to Megaride from the depths of the sea after she had allowed herself to die following Ulysses' rejection. It is said that she is buried beneath Castel dell'Ovo and keeps watch over the city of Naples from her final resting place.

Putting aside ancient legends, Megaride once belonged to the powerful Roman general Lucius Licinius Lucullus, who built his Castrum Lucullanum villa on the outcropping. Later, the site become home to a monastery before the first version of the castle was built in 1140. Ruggiero the Norman fortified this area of the coast after the conquest of Naples with the castle and the Norman watchtower.

Like the other castles in Naples, over the centuries Castel dell'Ovo has undergone a series of renovations and extensions, the most important under Frederick II of Swabia in 1200 and Alfonso V of Aragon, who strengthened and expanded the fortress between 1400 and 1500. Additional batteries and two drawbridge were added during the reign of the Aragonese, the Spanish Vicelords, and later the Bourbons.

On clear days, you can make out Castel dell'Ovo from the top of Mt. Vesuvius.

The Legend of Virgil's Egg

The castle gets its name from an ancient legend linked to the Roman poet Virgil. According to local lore, Virgil hid a magic egg in the dungeons of the fortress, which protects it and has kept it standing over the centuries. If the egg ever breaks, it is said that the castle will collapse and a series of catastrophes will befall the city of Naples. During the reign of the Angevin queen Joan of England in the 14th century, the castle suffered a partial collapse that terrified the population. To calm the city's residents, the queen swore that she had replaced the "magic" egg (which, of course, has never been found over the centuries).
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HIGHLIGHTS OF THE CASTEL DELL'OVO

Castel dell’Ovo is an imposing building in yellow-hued tuff stone. The interiors are rather bare because its rooms are now used mainly for meetings, events, and conferences. That said, the castle deserves a visit not only for its architectural grandeur but also for its magnificent views of the Bay of Naples, Mt. Vesuvius, and the city center.

The Terrace of the Cannons offers a particularly beautiful view plus a collection of antique artillery to admire.

Sala Italia has a magnificent vaulted ceiling and visitors can admire frescoes and ancient capitals in the castle's Church of the Savior (not always open to visitors).

The surrounding area around the foot of the castle is occupied by the tiny but picturesque fishing village of Borgo Marinari and its marina, prestigious boating clubs, restaurants, and a few period buildings built against the walls of the fortress. Take a stroll along the moored boats, shipyards, and old-school seafood restaurants to take in its timeless atmosphere, especially in low season.

CASTEL NUOVO ( Maschio Angioino)

Maschio Angioino
Address : Via Vittorio Emanuele III, 80133 Napoli NA
Google link : https://g.co/kgs/P8f2hyR
Tripadvisor link : https://www.tripadvisor.it/Attraction_Review-g187785...

Castel Nuovo (or New Castle), which locals call the Maschio Angioino, is a medieval castle located in Naples, Italy. Built in 1279, it was the royal residence of the Kings of Naples until the 16th century. Today the gothic castle, which dominates the space between the waterfront and the central Piazza Municipio, is a museum and one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city of Naples.

Visitors can explore the three courtyards, the defensive walls and the castle towers, as well as the Sala dei Baroni, the Chapel of San Giovanni, and the Cappella Palatina. The castle also houses numerous art collections, including paintings by Italian masters such as Battistello Caracciolo and Luca Giordano. With its rich history and abundance of artistic and architectural treasures, the Maschio Angioino is a must for anyone visiting Naples.

The local name comes from the Italian word for "male", or "keep", which centuries ago meant the main tower of a fortress. Angioino (or "Angevin”), on the other hand, refers to the dynasty that started the construction of the castle.

THE HISTORY OF CASTEL NUOVO

The oldest part of the fortress was built by Charles I of Anjou, starting in 1279 after the defeat of the Swabians and the transfer of the capital of the Kingdom of Sicily to Naples. Over the centuries, the castle has been enlarged and renovated several times, in particular by King Alfonso V of Aragon in the 15th century and by Charles III of Bourbon in the first half of the 1700s.

During its history, the Maschio Angioino has been the setting for key events, such as the famous abdication of Pope Celestine V, who gave up the papal seat in the main hall of Castel Nuovo on December 13th, 1294. Important artists and other historic figures have been hosted in the castle over the centuries, including Giovanni Boccaccio, Francesco Petrarca, and Giotto, who was commissioned to fresco the Palatine Chapel.

THE CONSPIRACY OT THE BARONS

After the Aragonese claimed the throne of the Kingdom of Naples in the 15th century, King Ferdinand I began to modernize the kingdom, with tax reform and laws to abolish feudalism. The area's powerful barons organized a violent revolt that ended in bloodshed in Castel Nuovo in 1487.
It was King Ferdinand himself, also known as Ferrante d'Aragona, who summoned the barons to the throne room under the pretext of wanting to celebrate the wedding of his niece. Instead, it was a trap: the nobles were arrested and put to death and now that room - one of the most beautiful in the Maschio Angioino - is known as the Sala dei Baroni (Hall of the Barons).

HIGHLIGHTS OT THE MASCHIO ANGIOINO

The Maschio Angioino is one of the most striking sights in Naples. Today it houses a museum stuffed with art and other treasures dating from medieval and Renaissance Naples, but visitors can also enjoy a breathtaking view of the city from the castle ramparts.

The Triumphal Arch

The triumphal marble arch at the entrance to the Castel Nuovo was commissioned by King Alfonso of Aragon. The work is decorated with important sculptures dating from the Neapolitan Renaissance by Francesco Laurana and various other artists.

The Palatine Chapel

The Cappella Palatina, or Church of San Sebastiano or Santa Barbara, is the only surviving element of the fourteenth-century Angevin castle, though it has undergone much damage followed by renovations and restorations over time.

The chapel interiors are decorated with frescoes by Maso di Banco and a ciborium by Iacopo della Pila from the end of the fifteenth century. Other highlights include precious sculptures by Francesco Laurana and other works of the Neapolitan Renaissance.

The Palatine Chapel had been 'frescoed with scenes from the Old and New Testament by Giotto around 1330, but this cycle of frescoes was almost completely destroyed at the time of the Spanish Viceroys.

The Hall of the Barons

The Sala dei Baroni, initially called the "Throne Room", is the main room of the Maschio Angioino and was built at the behest of King Robert of Anjou. In addition to the bloody event to which it owes its current name, the room is famous for the splendid vault with crests and sails.

The Prisons and the Legend of the Crocodile

According to an ancient legend, the prisoners chained in the dungeons of the castle, which were also used as a grain store, were subject to mysterious disappearances. Over time it was discovered that the perpetrator was a crocodile who was able to pass through an opening in the basement and drag the prisoners into the sea by their leg. The discovery allowed the king to use the large reptile to carry out death sentences without too much fuss. In the end, the crocodile's fate was no better than its victims: according to legend, the animal was captured using a poisoned leg of a horse as bait. The most famous crocodile in Naples was stuffed and hung on the entrance door of the castle.

The Civic Museum

The Civic Museum of Naples, inaugurated in 1990, is housed inside the castle. Visitors first pass through the Palatine Chapel and the Armoury Hall, then climb up to the first and second levels of the fortress to admire the frescoes and paintings. The museum galleries display works by important artists of the Neapolitan Renaissance and Baroque periods, such as Battistello Caracciolo, Luca Giordano, Francesco Solimena, and Mattia Preti.

CAPODIMONTE MUSEUM
(The Capodimonte palace and grounds)
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The Museo di Capodimonte, or Capodimonte Museum, is one of the most important historic and cultural sights in Naples and a must-see for any fan of art and architecture.

Address : Via Miano, 2, 80131 Napoli NA
Google link : https://g.co/kgs/982ExUn
Official Online ticket : https://capodimonte.cultura.gov.it/biglietti/
Official Website : https://capodimonte.cultura.gov.it/
Hours: Daily from 8:30AM to 7:30PM (second floor from 9:30AM to 5:00PM). Wednesdays closed.
Duration of the visit: 3-5 hours without the grounds
Ticket price: EUR 15.

Officially the Museo Nazionale di Capodimonte, the museum is located inside the royal palace of the same name that was built by the Bourbon royalty in the 1700s to house the magnificent art collection that Charles of Bourbon inherited from his mother. The Capodimonte museum is set in the Capodimonte neighborhood in the hills above the city and is surrounded by the Real Bosco di Capodimonte, or royal grounds, one of the lushes and most popular park grounds in Naples. There are sweeping views across the city and Bay of Naples from the palace and park.

THE NATIONAL ARCHEOLOGICAL MUSEUM (art and artifacts recovered from Pompeii and Herculaneum)
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Address : Piazza Museo, 19, 80135 Napoli NA
Google link : https://g.co/kgs/FnEVbuk
Offcial website : https://mann-napoli.it/
Official Online ticket : https://mann-napoli.it/orari-e-tariffe/
Hours: daily from 9AM to 7:30PM (some gallery halls are only open either in the morning or the afternoon); closed Tuesdays. Last entry 60 minutes before closing.
Duration of the visit: 3-5 hours
Ticket price, valid for two consecutive days: €22; children under 18 free.

The National Archaeological Museum in Naples holds one of the most important collections of archaeological art and artifacts in Italy and is considered among the world's top archaeological museums focused on ancient Rome.

In addition, the museum also hosts fascinating temporary exhibitions that merit a visit even if you have already taken in the permanent collection on previous visits. Whether it's your first or your tenth visit to the museum, it's easy to fit a peek at the collections into your time in Naples, as the museum is conveniently located right in the heart of Naples' historic center.

THE MADRE MUSEUM ( The contemporary art museum of Naples)

Address : Via Luigi Settembrini, 79, 80139 Napoli NA
Google link : https://g.co/kgs/q4tYpyt
Offcial website : https://www.madrenapoli.it/

In the historical heart of Naples, the three floors of the 19th century Palazzo Donnaregina host the Madre · museo d’arte contemporanea Donnaregina.
The Madre · museo d’arte contemporanea Donnaregina is located in the heart of old Naples, on what is known as the “Via dei Musei,” just a stone’s throw away from the Duomo, the Museo Archeologico Nazionale and the Accademia di Belle Arti, where the ancient San Lorenzo district is situated.

The Museum takes its name from the building that hosts it, the Palazzo Donnaregina, which like all the surrounding area owes its name to the Monastery of Santa Maria Donnaregina, founded by the Swabians (13th century) and then expanded and rebuilt in 1325 by Queen Mary of Hungary, wife to Charles II of Anjou. All that remains of the ancient monastic complex is the church of the same name, which overlooks Piazza Donnaregina, built in the Baroque period, and the “old” 14th-century Gothic-style church of Donnaregina, which has previously hosted exhibitions and special events organized by the Museum.

Dating back to the 19th century the building is an outstanding example of historical stratification, which is characteristic of the historical district of Naples. Originally, the building occupied almost an entire insula produced by the intersection of cardi and decumani in the Graeco-Roman road system. Halfway through the 19th century the building was bought by the Banco di Napoli, which turned it into a Banco dei Pegni (a place where people could pawn their possessions). Between 1845 and 1872 two wings were added to the building, and the façade overlooking Via Settembrini was refurbished by creating the main entrance, including a foyer and two flights of stairs. After the addition of a reinforced concrete section in the early 20th century, in the second postwar period the palazzo underwent several architectural modifications. These were structurally reinforced following the 1980 earthquake. In the 1980s the building was leased to the Provveditorato agli Studi di Napoli (School Administration), after which it was returned to the Banco di Napoli as a warehouse. Following the major damage and the static instability caused by the flood of 2001, the building was abandoned.

My last TIPS

I suggest you being at Capodichino airport at least 3 hours before your plane's departure.

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