Between myths and history, the city of Naples is inextricably linked to various legends.
Every alleyway, every square, every glimpse of the Gulf holds stories that intertwine the sacred and the profane, faith and superstition, life and death. Perhaps it is precisely this dual soul, both light and dark, that makes Naples one of the most fascinating and mysterious cities in the world.
Among the best-known legends is undoubtedly the one linked to the blood of San Gennaro, but the story of the mischievous Munaciello is also particularly well known. However, there are many others that are perhaps less famous. Let’s discover them together…
The legend of the blood of Saint Januarius
Among the most famous legends, known and followed by everyone around the world, is undoubtedly that of the miracle of Saint Januarius, patron saint of the city. Every year, three times a year, on 19 September, 16 December and the Saturday before the first Sunday in May, Saint Januarius’ blood liquefies.
On these dates, the Neapolitans gather in the Cathedral to witness the miracle: the saint’s blood, preserved in two ampoules, mysteriously liquefies. This renews the deep bond that ties the saint to the city of Naples.
However, tradition has it that if the miracle does not occur, the city is destined for misfortune and disaster.
For this reason, the event is followed with great apprehension by the many Neapolitan faithful who wait for the miracle to happen. According to legend, the blood was collected by an elderly woman after the saint’s decapitation in Pozzuoli in 305 AD, and since then it has continued to “live” as a sign of the unbreakable bond between Saint Januarius and his people.
The legend of the mischievous ‘Munaciello’
Another legendary figure roams the alleys of the historic centre: ‘O Munaciello, the mischievous little monk. One of the most famous and feared mysterious characters among the Neapolitan people.
It is said that the munaciello is a mischievous spirit, capable of bringing good luck or ruin. Sometimes he leaves gold coins in houses, other times he causes mischief and unexplained noises.
According to one of the most well-known versions, Munaciello was the deformed son of a noblewoman and a farmhand, hidden from view and entrusted to the nuns of the convent. They dressed him in monastic robes and a hood from an early age to mask his deformities. When the child died under mysterious circumstances, he was attributed with magical powers
Others, however, say that the munaciello can be encountered in the tunnels of underground Naples. And the explanation for the presence of this dark and feared figure is very simple.
It is said that the character of the munaciello is actually linked to that of the pozzari, the maintenance workers who worked in the tunnels of underground Naples and were responsible for cleaning the cisterns. These were small men who wore hooded cloaks to protect themselves from the damp, resembling a munaciello.
However, they became very spiteful when they did not receive a reward from the owners of the wells for their work. Out of spite, they climbed back up through the tunnels into the houses in the old town and stole a few items or snacked on something left in the house.
Virgil’s egg and the destiny of the city of Naples
Few people know that Naples is home to a legend dedicated to one of the greatest poets of antiquity, Publius Vergilius Maro. Considered not only a poet but also a magician and sage, Virgil is said to have hidden a magical hen’s egg inside the foundations of Castel dell’Ovo, overlooking the sea at Santa Lucia. It was a symbol of prosperity and security.
According to tradition, the fate of the entire city depended on that egg: if it broke, Naples would fall into ruin. For centuries, the egg was a symbol of protection and balance, so much so that the castle itself took its name from this legend.
The myth of Virgil’s egg combines science, magic and fear, representing the Neapolitans’ eternal need to believe that their city lives thanks to a benevolent spell.
The siren Partenope and the origins of Naples
And how can we forget the legend that gave the city of Naples its name, Partenope? A legend linked to a siren and Ulysses, the Greek hero described by Homer in his Odyssey.
It is said that the siren Partenope, together with Ligea and Leucosia, reclining on a rock in the middle of the Gulf of Naples, were able to captivate all the sailors who passed by with their enchanting song. They made them throw themselves into the sea and die when they reached the rocks.
But this was not the case for Ulysses, who, warned by the sorceress Circe, tied himself to the mast and managed to resist their song. Partenope, in despair, threw herself into the sea and died. Her lifeless body washed up on the shores of the gulf, precisely where Castel dell’Ovo now stands, and since then Naples has taken its name.
The ghost of Maria d’Avalos and Carlo Gesualdo
Another sad and dark legend is that of Maria d’Avalos and Carlo Gesualdo, the famous Renaissance prince and composer. Betrayed by his wife, Gesualdo discovered her with her lover, Fabrizio Carafa, and killed them both in a fit of jealousy. He even displayed their bodies naked on the stairs of Palazzo San Severo, in full view of all passers-by.
Since then, it is said that the ghosts of the two lovers still wander the rooms of Palazzo San Severo and the streets of Piazza San Domenico Maggiore, accompanied by sighs and poignant melodies.
When a wing of Palazzo San Severo collapsed in 1889 due to water infiltration, many linked the event to the curse cast by Maria D’Avalos.
The Legend of the Beautiful Mbriana
And the legends continue with that of Bella Mbriana, a benevolent spirit from Neapolitan tradition, considered the fairy protector of the home. A very beautiful but capricious woman, she lives within the walls of the home and only shows herself to those she likes or in times of great need.
It is said that Bella Mbriana brings good luck and harmony to homes where order, cleanliness and respect reign.
She lashes out at those who complain about their homes. In fact, old Neapolitans advise never to complain that your home is too small or dark. Instead, do so only outside the home to prevent Bella Mbriana from lashing out at you.
In addition, it was once customary to set the table with an extra place, leaving a chair free, so that the beautiful Mbriana could come in and sit down.
