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Naples is the capital of the Campania region and the Province of Naples. The city has a population of about 1 million. It is located halfway between the volcano, Vesuvius and a separate volcanic area, the Campi Flegrei, all part of the Campanian volcanic arc. It is rich in historical, artistic and cultural traditions and gastronomy.
Neapolitan ('o napulitano) is the colourful, rich dialect that has been a trademark of southern Italy ever since the period of the Kingdom of Naples and the Two Sicilies. This history, coupled with its size, has given Naples the unofficial status of being the Capital of the Southern Italy.
The city is served by Naples International Airport at Capodichino.
The most widely spoken language in Naples is Napulitano (Napolitan), which is sometimes described as an Italian dialect, but is usually considered a seperate and mutually unintellegible language. Napolitan does not enjoy any official status yet, but it does have a rich literary tradition and it is still thriving in Campania and adjacent parts of Lazio, Abruzzo, Basilicata, Molise and Callabria. You may even come across signs written in Napolitan!
This said, the official language of Naples (as of all of Italy) is Italian and practically everyone speaks it. Napolitan has a strong Spanish influence originating from the long Spanish occupation in the area. Therefore, Spanish may to some extent be understood by the locals, more so than in other parts of Italy. English is the most commonly spoken foreign language, although the average command of English is extremely low.
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- Castel dell'Ovo - Porto Santa Lucia Naples' known port with the Egg Castle on a small half island. The castle currelntly houses the Museum of Prehistory.
- Castelnuovo (Maschio Angionino)
- Museo Nazionale di Capodimonte - Napolitan National Gallery, a must-see! Displays the Burgia, Farnese and Borbon collections with mainly Renaissance and Baroque Italian painting. Among the famous artists on display: Tizian, Giovanni Bellini, Annibale Caracci, de Ribera and Giordano. A beautiful parc surrounds the museum.
- Museo Archeologico Nazionale - Naples Archeological Museum houses wall paintings and differnt objects removed from the Pompeii and Herculaneum excavation sites. In addition, you can admire the Farnese collection of Roman sculptures (including the famous sculptures of the Caracala Baths). E9.00 for admission. Guidebook in English must be purchased from the gift shop because the item descriptions are in Italian only.
- View of Mergellina (from via Orazio or via Petrarca)
- Castel San Elmo - Certosa di San Martino
- Parco Virgiliano A nice park with a stunning view of the surrounding area. It is about half an hour off the city centre, but certainly worth the effort!
- Piazza del Gesł and Piazza S.Domenico Maggiore The New Jesuite church is among the most extravagant Baroque churches in the world! Across the street you will find the Santa Chiara Monastery. It is worth a visit for its beautiful garden with decorated with frescoes and coulorful columns. If you continue towards S. Domenico Square you will pass by the St Angelo on the Nile Church with its Donatello's altar. The Sansavero Chappel nearby is also well known for its marble sculptures of veiled figures.
- Napoli Sotterranea Underneath San Lorenzo Maggiore medievil church.
- Catacombe di San Gennaro Medievil catacombs on Capodimonte hill.
- Quadreria dei Girolamini A nice small picture gallery mainly of Italian Baroque painting. Free of charge and just across the street from the Duomo.
- Duomo Naples' main church with two luxurious chapels. Underneath it you can find excavation of a Roman site. Near the duomo you can find the St. Gennaro Treasury museum, with arts exhibits from the duomo and another heavily fresoed chappel.
- Pio Monte della Misericordia A church and a picture gallery both belonging to an old charity organisation. The gallery mainly displays Napolitan Baroque paintings.
- Teatro San Carlo Naples' famous opera house.
- Piazza del Pebliscito Naples' main square. Surrounding it you will find the Royal Palace (palazzo reale), the San Carlo Theatre and the Galleria Umberto.
- Acquario - Villa Comunale A parc near the beach with Europe's first public aquarium in its centre. Nearby is the Cortes museum for applied arts.
- Galleria Umberto A shopping passage from the 19th Century.
- Museo Duca di Martina in Villa Floridiana
- Museo Civico Filanghieri
- Citta' della Scienza
- Museo d'Arte Contemporanea Donna Regina
- Pinacoteca della Accademia di Belle Arte
- PAN - Palazzo delle Arti di Napoli
- Raccolta Mura
- Museo del Mare (Naval Museum)
- Fondazione Pagliara
- Piomonte di Pieta' in Palazzo Carafa A manierist church and a picture gallery.
Observe and absorb, the character and culture of Napoli is immense, the dirt and grime has more flavour than I've experienced in any other city. This is the Italian recipe for reality and it is great fun.
Pizza comes from Naples. Look for pizza margherita, the original one, with tomato, basil and fresh mozzarella toppings. Eating a pizza in Florence or in Rome is not the same as eating it in Naples! In Naples every pizzeria makes a good pizza, but if you want to eat pizza go where the real Napolitans go.
Neapolitan cuisine in general features much seafood, befitting its status as an ancient and still functioning port. You will find many sauces based on garlic sauteed in extra-virgin olive oil, tomatoes, and local red wines. Some of the sauces are arrabbiata ("angry") or fra diavolo ("the Devil's brother"), which means they will contain hot pepper. It's a great cuisine. Enjoy!
The city and region are also famous for their pasticcerie (pastries), which are often filled with cream or mascarpone cheese.
Naples is becoming increasingly popular with a younger generation of both Italians and foreigners. In spite of reports of adverse conditions, they flood into the city and lend renewed vitality to its nightlife. The hippest scene is around the bars and cafes on Piazza Bellini, Piazza Santa Maria la Nuova and Piazza San Domenico Maggiore, becoming busy after about 11pm.
Naples is a gritty and in many parts impoverished city. Do walk around, but be watchful and keep your wits about yourself. The city is home to many pickpockets and moped thieves so be careful.
- Do not leave valuables laying out in the open (e.g. bar tables) where they can be snatched by thieves.
- Do not flash around money, or other valuables.
- It is advised not to carry a purse as they can be snatched or "picked" by thieves.
- Do not wander down small dark allies/streets, especially in the Spanish Quarter.
- Be careful around the main train station as there are many thieves in the area.
- In Naples you can buy over-the-shoulder packs that are excellent as they allow you to keep an eye and firm grip on your valuables.
There is fast express train service to Rome and points north, as well as points south. There are also local Italian Railway trains to Pompeii, but for such short distances, it is easiest to take the commuter railway called the Circumvesuviana.
Tour the excavations of Herculaneum and Pompeii nearby to the east of Naples. Pompeii is 40 minutes via the Circumvesuviana train from the Naples Central train station.
Take a bus to Mount Vesuvius, and hike to the summit. Mount Vesuvius is the only active volcano on the mainland of Europe.
Paestum an hour and a half to the south (near Salerno) is Italy's most famous Greek excavation site.
In the Bay and Gulf of Naples, visit:
- Ischia
- Capri
- Procida
- Sorrento
- Positano
- Amalfi
For more information on Naples, visit the source at Wikitravel
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Naples, Italy
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Destination: NAPLES, ITALY
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