Guide turistiche

Naples (Italian: Napoli, Neapolitan: Nàpule, from Greek ?e?p??? < ??a ????? Néa Pólis 'New City') Capital of the Campania region and the Province of Naples. The city has a population of about 1 million. By one count the metropolitan area of Naples is one of the largest in Europe, with more than 4,400,000 inhabitants. The inhabitants are known as Neapolitans, napoletani or poetically partenopei in Italian (napulitane in Neapolitan). 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 South (in Italy).

The city is served by Naples International Airport at Capodichino.


History Naples


Naples was founded between the 7th and 6th centuries BC by the Greeks and was given the name Neapolis.

During the period of Roman domination, the town preserved its Greek language and customs. Following the Roman period, the city was dominated by many different groups of people (Byzantines, Lombards, Normans, Swabians, Angevins, Aragonese, Spaniards, Austrians, Bourbons and revolutionary French). Nowadays one can see the traces of all those rulers in the monuments, in the culture and in the habits of the town. In 1266 the Angevins moved the capital of the Kingdom of Sicily from Palermo to Naples. Sicily soon parted and formed an independent Kingdom of Sicily. After the Congress of Vienna Naples became the capital of the united Kingdom of Two Sicilies. After a long period of decline following the creation of the Italian State over 100 years ago, the city is making strides in recovering its eminence as a center for culture.


Main sights Naples


In 1995 the Historic Centre of Naples was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Although Naples is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe and rich in history and monuments, it is sometimes overlooked by mass tourism and is less visited than other Italian cities. There are, however, many attractions within the city.

Churches and religious buildings
- Santa Chiara
- Cathedral of Naples
- San Domenico Maggiore
- Gesù Nuovo
- Sansevero Chapel
- San Lorenzo Maggiore
- Santa Maria Donna Regina Vecchia
- Santa Maria Donna Regina Nuova
- Santa Maria del Carmine
- Girolamini
- San Ferdinando
- San Francesco di Paola
- San Giovanni a Carbonara
- San Gregorio Armeno
- Sant'Anna dei Lombardi
- Sant'Eligio Maggiore
- Santa Caterina a Chiaia
- Santa Maria La Nova
- Santa Restituta
- San Pietro Martire
- San Pietro a Maiella
- San Gennaro extra Moenia
- Hermitage of Camaldoli
- Santissima Annunziata
- Santa Caterina a Formiello
- Archbishops Palace
- Madre di Buonconsiglio


Historic castles, palaces and museums


- Castel dell'Ovo
- Castel Capuano
- Maschio Angioino or Castel Nuovo (the New Castle)
- Certosa di San Martino
- Castel Sant'Elmo
- Carmine Castle
- Museo Nazionale di Capodimonte
- Royal Palace
- National Archaeological Museum
- Villa Pignatelli
- Palazzo Como
- Pietrarsa railway museum
- Palazzo Serra di Cassano