Exploring Naples, Italy

21-02-2023

Located in the shadow of the infamous dormant volcano Mount Vesuvius, Italy’s third largest city is the ancient metropolis of Naples. Located in the Campania region of Italy, Naples is approximately two hours south of Rome on the Bay of Naples. This bustling city dates back thousands of years, from the Greek and Roman occupations and beyond, and is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. History here runs deep and visitors can not only enjoy a wealth of art, culture, food and architecture, but also some of the best preserved ancient Roman ruins thanks to the devastation due to the eruption of Mount Vesuvius a few years ago. two thousand years. It is a fascinating city with a unique character and identity and certainly a city not to be missed. Here are some of the best things to see and do while exploring Naples, Italy.

Herculaneum and Pompeii

No trip to this city is complete without traveling to the outskirts of it to the ruins of ancient Roman cities locked in eternal despair, frozen in place by hot ash that rained down from Mount Vesuvius in AD 79. C. The inhabitants of both cities could not flee and the eruption occurred so quickly that even the most delicate elements were fossilized in place. Both sites have been the subject of excavations since their discoveries some 300 years ago and are still slowly revealing their secrets. Yet the unparalleled preservation of people and homes remarkably and truly allows you to step back in time in a way no museum can match.

Pompeii is by far the most remarkable of the several cities whose fate was sealed thousands of years ago by an ash-spitting giant. The temples, the streets and the houses are incredibly well preserved. Artifacts and clues to daily life in this ancient Roman city still remain. Both cities are a must visit if you are near the city of Naples.

museums

Naples is an incredibly old city, and like most old world cities, it has a wealth of history and art to immerse yourself in. The city itself has more than 448 churches and historic buildings, making it a place where you will never be short of sights to explore and stories to hear. The Museo di San Marino Certosa was previously a monastery built in 1325 and now has an impressive collection of art, sculptures, carvings and artifacts. Many of the works describe the history of the city and taking one of the guided tours in English can be useful to hear the stories behind the most interesting ones.

The Museo Archeologico Nazional houses one of the largest collections of Greco-Roman art and highlights the history of the region under the Roman Empire. Here you will also find some of the artifacts excavated from the ruined cities of Pompeii, Hernaculeum and others giving you the chance to see some of these amazingly preserved artifacts. This museum also has audio tours in English which help to really understand all there is to see here.

The Museo Nazionale di Capodimonte is another excellent museum with a fine collection of art from all over Italy. There is also a lovely garden on the grounds which makes for a nice place to enjoy an afternoon.

Castel Nuovo is probably the icon of the city. Now a museum, this massive medieval castle houses a large collection of art and artifacts from the city’s history. There’s even a bronze door embedded with a cannonball, an interesting glimpse into a perhaps not so rosy past. Skeletons have also been found buried on the grounds, as well as in an old swimming pool.

This list of historically significant sites in Naples goes on and on. From the catacombs of San Gennaro to the burial place of thousands of plague victims in the Fontanelle Cemetery and the Basilica of Santa Chiara, there is much to see in Naples. You can take guided tours of the city’s underground tunnel, Barbonico, an ancient escape route but a great way to see the city’s ancient roots. Walking through any of its medieval streets you will find hermitages and ancient monuments. The Teatro San Carlo is one of the oldest opera houses or perhaps visit the Parco Archeologico di Baia to see older Roman ruins.

capri island

If you’ve had your fill of history, art, and architecture, consider a day trip to the elegant island of Capri. The island is not only beautiful, but it is also the playground of the rich and famous. However, if you plan to spend the night there, you can find many cheap accommodations. Otherwise, a relaxing sun-drenched boat trip to the island, a luxurious stroll along the beach, and then lunch with a glass of wine on the island’s top village of Anacapri. You can explore the island on a guided boat tour and even see the Blue Grotto, a sunken cave by the sea.