INDEX:
- Plebiscite Square
- The Royal Palace
- The Veiled Christ
- Naples Underground
- Archaeological Museum of Naples
- San Gregorio Armeno
- Church of St. Clare
Naples has very ancient origins dating back to December 21, 475 B.C., when the Cumani originated the city of Neapolis, which today has become Naples.
The entire area covers territory of 117.3 km², including hills and peninsulas overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea.
An ancient city, mixing its millennial history, traditions, and the liveliness and vitality of its inhabitants.
Rich in places to visit, from the simple and showy neighborhoods, to the numerous churches in every corner of the city, to the castles and museums. A city that fascinates and enchants, worth experiencing totally in its essence. From the smell of fried pizza among the small streets to the breathtaking views that fascinate and leave you speechless.
The beauties of Naples are many, but there are some that have made the history and wealth of this city making it world famous. Starting with the famous Piazza Plebiscito with the Royal Palace, passing through the Veiled Christ to underground Naples. In your visit to Naples if you want to know the real history of these places and all the Neapolitan traditions be guided by an experienced tour guide. He will take you to discover the most evocative and iconic places in Naples.
Plebiscite Square
Plebiscito Square is the main attraction along with the Royal Palace that attracts the most visitors. With an area of more than 25 thousand square meters, it is the largest square in Naples and one of the largest in Italy. Which houses the Royal Palace, the Church of St. Francis of Paola, the Prefecture Palace and Palazzo Salerno placed at the side ends.
In the center of the Piazza del Plebiscito are the two famous equestrian statues made by Canova and his student Antonio Calì for King Charles III of Bourbon and his son Ferdinand I. Famous not only for their architecture but also for the legend attached to them.
In fact, it is said that Queen Margaret gave her prisoners the chance to become free, provided that starting from the central door of the Royal Palace they managed to cross blindfolded the center of the two statues placed in the Square.
A test that apparently no one has ever passed. Even the Neapolitans and tourists themselves who go to Naples and attempt the feat fail to do so. Probably the explanation lies in the slope with which the Piazza del Plebiscito was built, which prevents blindfolded walkers from maintaining the initial trajectory.
The Royal Palace
Royal Palace was built around 1600 and was one of the residences used by Spanish and Austrian viceroys, the Bourbon dynasty, and finally the Savoy dynasty. The architecture of the Royal Palace is associated with great names such as: Domenico Fontana, Gaetano Genovese, Luigi Vanvitelli, and Ferdinando San Felice.
Royal Palace was bombed and partly destroyed during World War II. The bombing destroyed the roof of the Teatrino, which was later rebuilt, and the King’s bedroom, which apart from some furniture now preserves nothing of the famous room. What remained of the latter was transferred to the Royal Palace of Caserta.
A special feature of the Royal Palace, are the numerous clocks, as many as 23, in the rooms of the palace that are still in perfect working order.
The Veiled Christ
Veiled Christ is a marble statue made in 1753 by sculptor Giuseppe Sanmartino, currently preserved in the Sansevero Chapel in Naples. The statue depicts Jesus Christ lying on a mattress, entirely covered by a very thin veil from which all the signs of Christ’s body, from his face to the marks of torture, shine through.
This peculiarity has attracted the curiosity not only of the scientists who have examined the statue, but also of the many visitors to the Sansevero Chapel.
Many have wondered how Sanmartino was able to create such a perfect sculpture that all the details of the body can be glimpsed under a veil made of marble.
Even a legend has it that it was actually a real veil, then marbled by a chemical process. In reality, the extraordinary sculpture was uniquely achieved through the skills of the famous sculptor.
Naples Underground
Underground Naples is a different, ancient and evocative Naples located 40 meters below the surface Naples. It is a second Naples formed by cisterns, tunnels, the remains of the ancient Greek-Roman aqueduct, the air-raid shelters that were used to protect against bombing during World War II.
In short, in Underground Naples you will be able to take a route through the 5,000-year-old history of Naples. The routes are different, there is not just one underground Naples. From the Catacombs of San Gennaro, to the Bourbon Gallery, to the Catacombs of San Gaudioso, to the Fontanelle Cemetery, to the Basilica of Pietrasanta and many, many more.
This is precisely why I recommend that you make your visit together with a tour guide, who will be able to advise you on the best route to take to admire a never-before-seen version of Naples.
Archaeological Museum of Naples
Archaeological Museum of Naples, for those who want to discover all the treasures found in Naples, as well as Pompeii and Herculaneum, the Archaeological Museum is an essential route to take. It houses the Farnesi works derived from artifacts found in Rome and then transferred to Naples.
The artifacts found during the Archaeological Excavations of Pompeii and Herculaneum, in which there is also a room called the Secret Cabinet. Where the most obscene objects found in the Excavations and initially hidden from the public are kept. The artifacts are of Egyptian origin, one of the few found in Italy.
San Gregorio Armeno
San Gregorio Armeno is known by all as the street of Nativity scenes. A must-see in Naples for all lovers of art and crafts.
Suggestive during the Christmas season but equally beautiful to see throughout the year. San Gregorio Armeno is home to the most important and ancient workshops of nativity art and attracts many tourists every year.
Church of St. Clare
The Church of Santa Chiara is one of the largest monasteries built in Naples. It consists of 4 monumental cloisters, a vast archaeological area from the Roman era, a museum and library with over 50,000 volumes and several rooms.
The church was built in 1310 in the Gothic style. Great artists of the time participated in the work, including Giotto, Caimano, Domenico Vaccaro and Gaetano Buonocore.
However, as a result of World War II bombings, the Basilica was partly destroyed, in fact, many frescoes painted by Giotto were destroyed. The church of Santa Chiara houses 21 tombs of the Bourbon dynasty, including 4 kings. The special feature of this stupendous complex is the majolica-tiled cloister.
