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It is impossible to describe Naples, because it is a city which needs no introduction. The magical atmosphere of this historical city has always cast its spell over tourists, artists and writers who have sung its praises in books, songs and famous works.
The origins of the city are lost in the mists of time and in fascinating legends. It dates back to the 7th century B.C. when the Greeks colonised the Gulf on their way towards the mines on the Upper Tyrrhenian coast. After the fall of the Roman empire Naples became the capital of an important Duchy which in 1137 fell into the hands of the Normans. It was during this period that Naples became the most important city in the Mediterranean. In 1266, following the death of Frederick II of Swabia, Charles Anjou made his triumphal entrance into the city.
In 1442 the city passed into the hands of Alfonso of Argon after a long war which had brought the kingdom to its knees. During the two centuries (1503-1707) under the Spanish Viceroys much of the city was rebuilt. Then, in 1734, it came under the rule of the Bourbons and they ruled the Kingdom of Naples up to 1860 which was the year of the Unification of Italy.
Both the Greeks, who were refined aristocrats, and the Roman emperors built sumptuous villas in the shadow of Vesuvius and along the coast. And the magic of these age-old civilisations has extended to the dawn of the third millennium thanks to the area’s many ancient monuments and traditions, the folklore, events and performances which continue to delight visitors from all over the world.
It would be impossible to list all of Naples’ artistic treasures. The old city centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with palaces, churches, catacombs, and an Archaeological Museum while the areas around the Castel Nuovo and Royal Palace date back to Medieval and Renaissance days. And then there is the splendid seafront from the Castel dell’Ovo to Posillipo.
The hilly Vomero has many beautifully restored buildings like the Palazzo Reale in Capodimonte and the Charterhouse of San Martino, which are two of the world’s great museums.
It is also fascinating to explore the city’s new contemporary museums like the monumental PAN, Palace of Neapolitan Arts and the Madrea, the Museum of Contemporary Art.
While being a major metropolis Naples is “out of the box” and a city to be lived in every sense of the word. It is a city to be admired both for its art and or the civilisations which left traces deep in its fabric and on its ethos.
Naples is a city to listen to, for its mild year-round climate, for it outdoor theatrical performances, for the festive choir of voices in its markets, for its singing festivals and for its colourful religious processions.
Naples is also city to be tasted for its extraordinary gastronomy: the flavours of its sea, the sweetness of its patisserie, the intensity of its wines and the unforgettable flavours of a genuine Neapolitan pizza |
