Naples, great and terrible, or the best of Naples. Map of Naples in Russian Opening hours of Naples museums and entrance fees

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Disgust and admiration - such contradictory feelings are alternately experienced by a person arriving in Naples and beginning to get acquainted with this extraordinary city.

From afar, Naples is incredibly beautiful: from an airplane, or Vesuvius, or from the top of one of its hills. The huge white body of the city is spread out over the hills and depressions along the sea, and even right next to Vesuvius. The scope and whimsicality of the folds of this bedspread is mesmerizing.

Once in the center of Naples, a new person will involuntarily be horrified: nasty muck is spilled on the streets, garbage is lying around, motorcycles are rushing past at full speed, and there are so many suspicious personalities around! The streets are dark and cramped, like cracks, the houses are shabby, and laundry hangs everywhere it can be hung.

But then the first shock passes. The city, one after another, reveals its riches to the visitor - and they are truly outstanding. In Naples, like in no other city, the transition from horror to delight is rapid. And back.

In this article I will tell you which attractions of Naples you should definitely visit and why it’s worth coming here.

Decumans

The historical center of Naples, the so-called Decumans, looks creepy on the outside, but their interior content is magnificent. First of all, there are numerous churches from the 12th and later centuries. Most of them are striking examples of Neapolitan Baroque, and each has its own personality.

Church of San Domenico Maggiore

The Duomo (Cathedral of Saint Januarius), the churches of San Lorenzo Maggiore, San Paolo Maggiore, San Gregorio Armeno, San Domenico Maggiore, Santa Chiara, Gesu Nuovo - they all follow each other. Only to San Giovanni a Carbonara You'll have to make a small detour, but it's worth it.

In the church of San Giovanni a Carbonara

In addition to churches, in the Old Town you can admire the facades of palaces, and some of them, for example, the Palazzo Venezia, you can go inside.

Palazzo Venice

And be sure to visit the mausoleum-chapel San Severo– look at the famous sculpture “il Cristo velato” - Christ covered with the finest fabric (both Christ and the fabric are made of marble - and how!). A ticket to the San Severo Chapel costs 7 euros.

Archaeological Museum and Capodimonte

Among the many museums in Naples, there are two super-museums: the Archaeological and the Art Gallery in the Royal Palace of Capodimonte.
Archaeological Museum contains a wonderful collection of ancient Farnese sculptures, as well as mosaics and mosaics transferred here from the excavated villas of Pompeii, Herculaneum, and Stabiae.

The museum is located next to the Museo metro station. Entrance – 12 euros. Open from 09.30 to 19.30. Closed on Tuesday.

Before Capodimonte It's more difficult to get to, but the museum is absolutely outstanding. The Capodimonte Palace was built in 1738 as the summer residence of the Bourbons. There is a park around the palace.

Now the palace houses a magnificent art gallery (Titian, Raphael, Botticelli, Bellini, Michelangelo, etc.). The basis of the museum is a collection of paintings collected by the Farnese family.

State hall in Capodimonte

The palace is located on the top of a hill, and you need to go there by bus (No. 168, 178, R4, C63). The bus stop is near the Archaeological Museum.
Entrance to the Capodimonte Museum – 8 euros. Open from 08.30 to 19.30. Closed on Wednesday.

Catacombs of Naples

From Capodimonte you can go down to the Basilica of the Incoronata, next to which is the entrance to the famous Catacombs of San Gennaro. Initially, the heavenly patron of Naples, Saint Januarius, was buried in these catacombs, and then reburied in the Duomo.

Catacombs of San Gennaro

Frescoes preserved inside the catacombs

These are not the only man-made caves in Naples. Under Naples there is an extensive network of dungeons. So, the entrance ticket to the catacombs of San Gennaro (8 euros) includes a visit to the catacombs San Gaudisio. The entrance to the catacombs of San Gaudisio is located inside the Basilica of Santa Maria della Sanita.

There is a descent into the dungeon under the church San Lorenzo Maggiore(there are remains of the ancient Roman forum), under the church San Paolo Maggiore(there you will see an ancient cistern and the remains of an amphitheater).

Recently, the so-called Bourbon gallery- an underground aqueduct built in the 17th century and subsequently used for military purposes. Part of the route in this tunnel can be done by boat (three types of excursions are offered at different prices: walking, water and speleo). The cost of the excursion is from 10 euros. The entrance to the Bourbon Gallery is at Via Domenico Morelli, 40.

A detailed story about underground Naples — .

Capodimonte is the country residence of the Bourbons, where the kings took refuge from the scorching summer heat.

And in the center of Naples their main residence was Palazzo Reale, built in the early 17th century under King Pedro of Toledo. Entrance to the palace is 6 euros. The interiors are royally impressive.

Teatro San Carlo

Adjacent to the Royal Palace is the Teatro San Carlo, built a century later than the palace and connected to it by a passage. Tours of the theater are organized in Italian and English. The cost of the excursion is 6 euros. During our excursion, an orchestra rehearsal was taking place in the hall, and we listened to music for about 20 minutes. Then the musicians were dismissed until the evening concert, and we went into the hall.

Tickets for the tour are sold at the theater box office. Unfortunately, there were no tickets for the concert itself - we had to book in advance.

Castles of Naples

Three mighty castles adorn the city. One of them - Castel Nuovo- stands behind the Royal Palace. It serves as a good reference point for transit passengers traveling through Naples to, and further: under the walls of the castle is the largest port of Naples - Molo Beverello.

Inside the castle there is a wide courtyard. On the second floor there is the Palatine Gallery with paintings and sculptures (a small collection). The most striking room of Castel Nuovo is the Hall of the Barons, a huge medieval hall that is easily complemented by imaginary knights in armor.

The next castle is Castel dell'Ovo, or Egg Castle, is completely free. It also stands on the seashore, moreover, it is placed out to sea on a small island. Fish restaurants have settled under the castle walls, luring tourists with delicious smells. It's hard to resist.

After refreshing yourself in the restaurant, go up to the upper open terrace of the castle - from there you can see a nice view of the city and the entire Neapolitan coast.

But for the most wonderful views you will have to climb to the third castle - Sant'Elmo. There are three funiculars and a metro (Vanvitelli station) leading to the top of Vomero Hill.

On Vomero hill There are three attractions at once. The first one is Villa Floridiana And Duca di Martina Museum. Villa Floridiana is an ordinary city park. The museum – the palace – houses a large collection of porcelain, as well as antique furniture, items made of ivory, coral, crystal, and bronze.

At the top of the hill is the castle of Sant'Elmo, and next to Sant'Elmo there is an absolutely wonderful building that should not be missed under any circumstances, namely:

Carthusian monastery of San Martino

Lay it on Certoso di San Martino an hour and a half - the initial impression that the monastery is small is deceptive. Inside there are many halls, galleries, passages, each more amazing than the other. And what views there are from the open terrace!

And having finally left these painted palaces, go down to the city on foot (there are stairs going down from Certosa). Insanely beautiful! I quote Muratov: “Nowhere will you see so many people staring at the world as you meet on Corso Vittorio Emanuele, laid along the slopes of Mount Sant’Elmo.”

However, Posilippo Hill is most famous for its views, but I didn’t get to it. Still, it is a bit far from the center. Maybe next time I'll go for these species.

Sights of Naples on the map

Opening hours of Naples museums and entrance fees

This is not a complete list of Naples attractions.

Many of those who have only heard about the Italian city of Naples love the famous Neapolitan songs, expressive, temperamental, full of passionate sensuality and subtle lyricism. Such enchanting melodies can only be created by people who are not afraid to live next to the formidable Vesuvius, which every century reminds of its existence with dangerous eruptions. Neapolitan dances are as expressive, temperamental and graceful as the Neapolitans themselves. Since the founding of the city by the ancient Greeks (8th century BC), Naples became part of various empires and kingdoms until the state of Italy was formed in 1860. Now it is the third largest Italian city with a million population, in the vicinity of which another 2 million people live. We'll tell you about the main attractions of Naples.

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This is one of the most formidable and powerful volcanoes in the world, spewing ash and lava around for thousands of years. Ironically, at its foot there are such heavenly places to live, with the most fertile soils, rich in flora and fauna, that people, despite mortal danger, have settled here since ancient times. The legendary Pompeii, Stabia and Herculaneum, scorched by hot lava and buried under an 8-meter layer of ash in 79 AD. e. - reliable confirmation of this.

Excavations are still ongoing at the sites of ancient cities, the finds of which amaze with the incredibly insane power of the most terrible eruption, when contents with a volume of 100 thousand tons per second were thrown out of the crater to a height of 35 km. The red-hot magma, pouring in streams, created a temperature of 500 degrees, instantly turning everything into ash. Humanity on the planet is still shocked by the unprecedentedly violent eruption, despite the passing of millennia.

Now the volcano is a place of pilgrimage for tourists (4 million a year), seeking to get as close as possible to the mouth of the “fire-breathing dragon.” They climb up a path that winds through volcanic ash, hardened lava and pumice (the cable car was destroyed by the 1979 earthquake). Adrenaline forces extreme volcano conquerors to walk in clouds of dust under the scorching sun, every now and then bumping into small stones. It’s good that there are benches along the trail where you can relax and unwind. Many enthusiasts who have reached the crater are not fascinated by its lifeless gray walls and sparse vegetation, punctuated by sparse bushes. But the feeling of self-satisfaction and admiration for the amazing views opening below makes you forget about the difficulties of the climb.

Royal Palace

On the main magnificent square of Naples - Plebiscita - there is a monumental three-story building with many windows - the Royal Palace, which took half a century to build (1600-1650). It was intended for the Neapolitan rulers from the Bourbon family, so they built the palace on the scale inherent in this dynasty. To this day, the external appearance of the palace has been preserved, corresponding to the reconstruction of the 18th century, which took place under the supervision of the famous court architect Vanvitelli, an expert in the late Baroque.

The semicircular arched vaults of the facade are adjacent to wall niches, each of which contains one statue of the most prominent rulers of the kingdom. The window frames are decorated with stucco patterns, and a clock tower with a round clock is installed on the roof attic. The rear side of the palace is surrounded by a garden, near the gates of which there are equestrian statues of the St. Petersburg Anichkov Bridge. The interiors are decorated with pompous luxury, with many stucco ornaments, bas-reliefs and sculptures. Wide stone staircases with massive patterned railings, high arches, rich chandeliers, stucco ceilings, and paintings by famous artists of the past create a majestic ambiance of the palace halls.

Today the Palace building houses several different institutions. The largest part is occupied by the National Library, with a huge book collection, including priceless papyri from ancient Herculaneum buried under the ashes of Vesuvius. Several Halls of the palace (Central, Throne, Hall of Hercules) are combined into a museum of historical apartments. They house the greatest artistic paintings by Titian, Giordano, Preti and other prominent Italian masters of painting.

Pompeii - a tragic landmark

In the vicinity of Naples is the popular archaeological complex of Pompeii - an ancient city that in a matter of minutes found itself under an eight-meter layer of ash and other emissions from the Vesuvius volcano during the eruption in 79 AD. e. How many prose and poetic lines are dedicated to this catastrophe, which destroyed all life around, how many artists depicted the cataclysm in their canvases! The famous painting by K. Bryullov “The Last Day of Pompeii” is eloquent evidence of a tragedy on a universal scale, stunning in its artistic expressiveness.

Centuries later, new cities arose in the place of the lost cities, the inhabitants of which had no idea about Pompeii until they reached the ruins during excavations. This is how the world learned about the unprecedented manifestations of Vesuvius, and the cities buried alive began to be actively excavated (1748-1960). The first expedition led by Alcubierre believed that the objects found were the city of Stabia, but in the process of further excavations they established that they belonged to Pompeii.

Over the past time, a huge amount of work has been done to clean up the city, as a result of which it was possible to find out the detailed details of the disaster that occurred. In the 60s of the 19th century, archaeologist Fiorelli determined by the outlines of the voids formed from the bodies of people and animals, in what positions their death was found, filling the voids with plaster. It was found that the hot temperature instantly evaporated all living organisms.

Restoration work is currently ongoing in Pompeii, and some objects will appear to visitors in almost their original form. The Temple of Apollo (8th century BC) is still in ruins, but much of its history is already known to researchers. Of the 28 columns, only two have survived, allowing us to get a complete picture of the majestic colonnade of the temple. The remains of frescoes depicting the Trojan War in the preserved internal niches testify to the high skill of the ancient painters. Interesting monuments of Pompeii - Baths, House of Venus in the Shell, Amphitheater, House of Faun and many other unique attractions of the revived city.

Church of the Assumption of St. Mary (St. Januarius)

In the historical center of Naples, on Via Duomo, there is the main shrine of the city - the Temple of St. Januaria or otherwise it is now called the “Church of the Assumption of St. Mary”. At the beginning of our era, on the site of the temple there were ancient churches, reminiscent of the remains of walls. In the 13th century, Charles I ordered the construction of a temple in honor of the patron saint of the city, Januarius (13th century). It was completely completed in the 14th century. during the reign of Charles's grandson. The facade of the Catholic church was renewed several times, individual parts were reconstructed, but the main ancient structures of the chapels and basilicas were carefully preserved.

The external architecture of the temple is made in several styles with a predominance of Gothic features: conical arches of windows, pointed peaks of towers directed upward, narrow window openings clearly confirm this. The oldest monument of Western religious culture here is the baptism of St. John, the interior of which is decorated with mosaics from the 4th century. The splendor of the decoration of the temple is made up of the works of talented Renaissance masters Vasari and Perugino. The mosaic panel “Madonna and Child Enthroned...” created in 1322 is impressive. The main chapel of the cathedral houses precious church rarities called the “Treasures of San Gennaro”, a priceless exhibit of which is a bust of Januarius made of gold.

The bust is a kind of shrine for the relics of the great martyr: the head of the bust, decorated with luxurious attire, contains fragments of the skull of Januarius. Now the bust is generously presented with expensive offerings in the form of gold chains and crosses inlaid with precious stones. The “highlight” of the temple is a magical vessel with the blood of the saint, which supposedly boils on 19.09 and 16.12 - the patron saint’s holidays. Neapolitans believe that if “blood boils” do not happen, then misfortune awaits the city. Scientists do not believe in the miracle, explaining it as falsification, but parishioners sincerely hope in the saving powers of the saint.

National Archaeological Museum

The unique Museum is the only one in the world whose exhibits resurrect cities that perished after the eruption of Vesuvius. Over many years of excavations, so many artifacts have accumulated that the building of the former university with the Bourbon treasures stored in it was allocated for them. Partially rebuilt and expanded, the beautiful building became state property in 1860 with the title of “national museum”. Objects of art were placed in an art gallery, and the main rooms were occupied by archaeological finds.

A significant part of the rarities consists of objects recovered during excavations of 3 cities hidden under volcanic ash. Wall and table mosaics, sculptures, frescoes are examples of high-quality art from the pre-Christian and early Christian periods. The museum also has ancient Egyptian relics collected in a large exhibition. Objects of art and everyday life, frescoes, bas-reliefs, dishes, jewelry, created in an intimate and piquant design, are collected in the “Secret Cabinet”. The main object of the image on them is the naked human body, presented from different angles and considered an example of natural beauty. In the National Museum, everyone will find interesting exhibits, the range of which cannot be simply listed.

Gallery Umberto I

Residents of every city have a favorite place in it, which they are proud of and consider to be a “highlight”. For Neapolitans, such a place is the Umberto I Gallery, located in a building of light openwork architecture and an unusual octagonal configuration. In fact, this is a large shopping mall built at the end of the 19th century. designed by Emmanuele Rocche. His task was to create a structure that organically fits into the general architectural tone of the neighboring buildings and fences off Toledo Street with an unsavory reputation from the San Marco Theater.

The avant-garde architect Bube designed a metal dome interspersed with long windows made of multi-colored stained glass - the result was a grandiose structure with a high glass ceiling (56 m) in the neo-Renaissance style. The gallery complex, restored after the war, still attracts many people. Inside, the mosaic floor is designed in the shape of the signs of the Zodiac. There is a belief around them about wishes coming true, so everyone strives to step on their sign and make a wish. The gallery houses exquisite beauty salons, fashionable boutiques of famous Italian and other famous couturiers, hotels, and elite restaurants. There is a music salon where there are concerts of classical piano music.

Castle of Castel dell'Ovo

The medieval fortress castle, whose name translated means “castle of the egg”, is located on the islet of Santa Lucia, glorified in a popular Neapolitan song. The island of the Tyrrhenian Sea is connected to Naples by an earthen embankment along which you can reach the castle. From a distance, Castel dell'Ovo resembles a man-made rock hanging over the blue sea. Historians believe that it was on this island in the 6th century. BC e. Greek colonists began to build the city.

Later, the Roman commander Lucullus chose the island for his villa. The fortress castle with thick walls and a protective moat around it was built in 1139 as a defensive structure against attack from the sea. Nowadays, tourists with great pleasure go up to the observation decks of the castle, captivated by the magical beauty of the surrounding landscapes. A tour of the ancient castle is impressive with its architecture; mysterious antiquity, overgrown with legends about a magical egg hidden in it; massive gates made like a work of art; surrounding landscapes.

Castle of Castel Sant'Elmo

Another medieval fortress castle, built (14th century) for protection from the sea, is located on the hill of the same name. It received its name from the destroyed temple (10th century) of St. Erasmus of Antioch. Over time, Erasmus began to sound in Italian transcription as “Elmo” - this is how the modern name of the castle was formed, which was destroyed more than once. He owes his restoration to the Spanish royal governor Pedro de Toledo.

The majestic structure in the shape of a 6-pointed star looks very impressive from below. A tour of the castle is an interesting journey into the distant and recent past, captured in the architecture of the castle, in the Museum of Art of the 20th century, in the exhibits of the Art History Library. Molaioli. A visit to the patriarchal church of St. Erasmus, behind the altar of which the remains of de Toledo are buried, will not leave you indifferent. During the day, the observation decks of the castle are full of tourists admiring the stunning panorama of the city.

Napoli Sotteranea

The underground city (as translated as “Napoli Sotteranea”) is full of gloomy mystery as a place where the burials of the dead took place for centuries. The catacombs, built in the 4th century, were used as a Christian cemetery until the 17th century. Later, representatives of the Dominican Order organized an outpatient clinic here, where the bodies of the dead were vertically placed in special niches. There were small rooms here, painted with frescoes and decorated with mosaics, intended for the burial of especially significant individuals.

In the most ancient catacombs of San Gennaro, the remains of St. Januaria. In other branches of the catacombs located to the north - San Gaudioso, Saint Gaudioso is buried. The third branch of the dungeons, San Severo, is named after Bishop Severo. The total length of the catacombs is 80 km, along the entire length of which there are crypts, arcosolia, small temples and churches - a real city of the dead. People usually come here accompanied by a guide through the entrance located under the Church of Santa Maria. You need to know that it is very cool in the dungeon, so you should dress warmly and prepare for an unusual experience.

Capodimonte Museum

The luxurious palace-museum stands just above the catacombs of San Gennaro. This pompous building, designed by the famous architect Medrano, was built as a summer palace for Charles of Bourbon (1738). Today the palace is a repository of magnificent artistic treasures, collections of noble families of the past: the Dukes of Farnese, Borgia, Avalos, Maria of Saxony. Here are paintings by great masters of the late Middle Ages and the Renaissance.

Among them are masterpieces by Botticelli “Madonna and Child and Two Angels”, Titian “Danae”, Raphael “Madonna Divina amore” and other equally famous paintings. The true pearl of the museum is the porcelain cabinet, which contains rare examples of elegant items made from the finest porcelain that belonged to Mary of Saxony and other aristocrats of Italy. The diversity of the porcelain collection delights with its beauty, craftsmanship and painting. It is worth coming here as a sign of worship to the beautiful creations of mankind.

Piazza del Plebiscita

This is the largest square in Naples, striking everyone with its scope and majestic architectural frame. It is here that the famous Royal Palace with statues of Neapolitan rulers is located. Opposite the palace stands the Church of St. Francis of Paolana - a magnificent building of the neoclassical style, erected on the initiative of Ferdinand I. In its appearance with a semicircular colonnade on the sides, the church resembles the Cathedral of St. Peter's in Rome, and the large round dome and triangular tympanum is the Roman Pantheon.

The center of the square is marked by a bronze statue of King Victor Emmanuel, who united Italy. He sits on a mighty horse in a victorious pose. The statue is installed on a monumental pedestal depicting the symbol of Naples - the mythical siren Parthenola. Every day the square receives crowds of tourists looking at the sights and spectators of the San Carlo Opera House.

Teatro San Carlo

It is no coincidence that the oldest opera house in Europe opened in 1737 in Naples, where everything is imbued with the sounds of Neapolitan folk songs. The building of the Teatro San Carlo was built to replace the old San Bartolomeo (1621) under the ambitious King Charles VII of Bourbon. The opening of the new luxurious theater took place on the king’s name day and was marked by the production of Sarro’s opera “Achilles on Skyros”. Over the years of its existence, all the famous operas of the world have taken place on the stage of the theater, many venerable performers have sung, and world ballet virtuosos have shone. The magnificent interiors of the theater halls attract the same attention as the outstanding opera performances, which are not inferior in skill to the Milan Opera.

Herculaneum

Herculaneum, or Ercolano, is an ancient city buried under the lava of Vesuvius. The ruins of the city were included in the UNESCO heritage list. From the town of Torre del Greco to the ruins there is a so-called. The Golden Mile is a road lined with picturesque 18th-century villas. The ruins of the ancient city are located 10 km from Naples. You can get there by train from Naples to Sorrento or the route to Poggiomarino. Ercolano Scavi station is located 700m from the ruins of the city.

Opening hours:

• in summer - from the beginning of April to the end of October 8.30–19.30
• In winter - from the beginning of November to the end of March 8.30 - 17.00

Entry tickets:

Three-day visit to 5 attractions: Pompeii, Oplontis, Herculaneum, Boscoreale, Stabiae will cost € 22.00.

One-day visit to one Herculaneum € 11. First Sunday of the month admission is free.

Basilica of San Francesco di Paola

This monumental basilica, more reminiscent of the Roman Pantheon than a Catholic church, appeared in the heart of Naples back in the 19th century. Built by the architect Bianchi at the behest of King Ferdinand I, today it attracts crowds of tourists. And it’s not surprising, because it is located in the center of all tourist routes - on Plebiscite Square, next to the Royal Palace.

The majestic structure framed by a colonnade, crowned with a 35-meter dome, cannot but delight with its exterior. However, the interior of the temple is also made with royal generosity. There are sculptures of saints and members of the royal dynasty, frescoes, paintings by famous and unknown artists, and, of course, the main decoration of the basilica - the 17th century altar inlaid with precious stones.

Entrance to San Francesco di Paola is free. Visiting hours are from 8:30 to 19:30 all week, seven days a week.

Chapel San Severo

In the past, it was a private chapel and also the tomb of the San Severo family. Nowadays it is a museum that has collected the works of the greatest sculptors and artists of Italy. There are many legends and mystical stories surrounding it. The temple was founded in honor of the appearance of the image of the Virgin Mary on the site of a collapsed wall. Subsequently, it was rebuilt several times until Count Raimondo de Sangro finished work on it in the 18th century.
The chapel is interesting for tourists due to its abundance of sculptures and frescoes. The painted ceiling is striking, which has not lost the brightness of its colors over the course of its existence.

The most famous sculpture, one might say the pearl of the San Severo Chapel, is Christ under the shroud. The incredible subtlety of the work, the precision of the details, the “weightlessness” of the matter covering the saint’s body amazes to the core.

Entrance ticket costs €7; children from 10 to 25 years old € 5; children under 9 years old are free. Open to the public 7 days a week from 9:30 to 18:30.

Santa Chiara

An archaeological museum, a monastery and ancient tombs - this is all a religious complex of wondrous beauty called Santa Chiara in the city of Naples. The cathedral was rebuilt several times, built in the 14th century in the Provençal Gothic style, and was later remodeled in the Baroque style. And during the Second World War it was completely destroyed by bombing. In the middle of the last century, craftsmen recreated this architectural monument piece by piece. Here, visitors will certainly appreciate majolica columns, benches decorated with mosaics, and paintings depicting the life of Neapolitans in bright colors in the shade of citrus trees.

Open to the public on weekdays from 8:30 to 17:30, on weekends from 10:00 to 14. The cost of visiting the garden (entrance to the church is free) is € 6, for disabled people and children under 7 years of age, admission is free.

The building was originally built as the University of Naples, later transferred to the Bourbon Museum, library, and finally has survived to this day as an extensive exhibition consisting of 15 rooms. The Museum of Archeology has collected the most valuable exhibits of the history of Italy in particular and Rome in general. Here you will find exhibits that have been perfectly preserved for 2,500 years. So on the third floor you will find artifacts found during excavations of the ancient cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum, buried under the lava of Vesuvius. Also presented here is a model of Pompeii on a scale of 1:100 and the hall of Magna Graecia.

The second floor is dedicated to the collection of numismatics and mosaics. Also here you will find the “Secret Office” - a hall of erotic art. The first floor is a collection of sculptures of the royal Farnese family and the Egyptian hall.
Opening hours are from 9:00 to 19:30.

Ticket price € 12; Children under 18 years of age have free admission. 1st Sunday of the month admission is free.

Cemetery Fontanelle

The oldest pagan necropolis in the vicinity of Naples, which later grew into a huge crypt in a cave, storing the remains of the poor inhabitants of Naples, victims of epidemics and serious diseases. Three large galleries make up this “city of the dead”, by analogy with traditional churches they are called naves:
The nave of the priests stores the remains transported from holy places, it is on the left. On the right is the nave of the beggars, and the central hall is called the nave of the plague.

Neapolitans perform rituals and offerings here, asking the deceased for help and support. After all, following the beliefs of the souls of unidentified people, whose remains are kept in the catacombs of Fontanelle, they cannot get out of purgatory, and are ready to help any person with his request in exchange for eternal peace. “The Cult of the Skulls” gives you goosebumps; in this unusual, mystical place, among wooden crypts that look like birdhouses and improvised crypts, you begin to feel the frailty of existence in a different way.

Opening hours are from 10:00 to 17:00. The entrance ticket costs 7€.

Catacombs of San Gaudioso

Another cemetery in the catacombs is located in the Sanita quarter. These are early Christian underground burial grounds located directly under the church of Santa Maria della Sanita. There is also a ticket office where you can purchase tickets for an excursion to the catacombs. Here, in the branched corridors, you will find many loculi in several rows with the buried remains of local residents. And arcosolia are niches for the burial of respected people and wealthy citizens.

Frescoes and mosaics on the walls will tell about the people buried here and scenes from the lives of saints. Although the catacombs have undergone irreversible changes due to age, most of the tombs and altars are still open to tourists. Tombs of St. Gaudiosa and St. Nostian is decorated with frescoes and mosaics from the 5th–6th centuries. This is perhaps the most ancient part of the catacombs of San Gaudioso. The remains of the Great Martyr Sozius are also kept here.

Excursion times: Monday to Saturday from 10:00 to 17:00 every hour; Sunday from 10:00 to 13:00. The ticket price for visiting the catacombs of San Gaudisio and the catacombs of San Gennaro is € 7, a child ticket is € 5, children under 6 years old and disabled people have free entry.

Naples (Italy) - the most detailed information about the city with photos. The main attractions of Naples with descriptions, guides and maps.

City of Naples (Italy)

Naples joined Italy in 1861. Much of modern Naples was built under Mussolini's regime and during the recovery period from the bombings of World War II.

How to get there

Naples has an international airport, Capodichino. The only way to get from the airport to the city is by bus, which has only two stops: Stazione Centrale (central station) and Piazza Municipio. Railroad connections have been developed almost immediately by all major cities in Italy. Naples is connected to Rome by the A1 motorway. Motorways in Italy are toll roads.

The city is a major port. Ferries and large passenger ships connect Naples with Sicily, Sardinia, Tunisia and Corsica.

To get around the city you can use the metro, trams and buses.

Shopping and purchases

Naples is famous for its markets and a huge number of small shops.

The largest and most interesting shopping districts:

• La Torretta Market, located near the US Embassy. You can buy a variety of fresh produce, cheeses and meats here.
• Via San Gregorio Armeno is a narrow alley in the center of Naples with traditional Neapolitan goods and souvenirs.
• Poggioreale Market is the largest market in the city (more than 500 retail outlets).
• Antiques Market - located on the Naples waterfront. Here you can buy antiques.

Food and drink

Naples is the gastronomic capital of Southern Italy. It is believed that the first pizza was made here. Neapolitan pizza has a thicker dough. If you want to try "real Neapolitan pizza", go to Pizzeria Brandi, where margherita pizza was born. Excellent pizza is also made in the Via dei Tribunali area. Finding a good pizzeria is quite easy. Go a little away from the popular tourist routes. See if there are many locals in this establishment. If yes, then you can safely order there.

Neapolitan cuisine also includes many seafood dishes, pasta with various sauces. Popular drinks include coffee, wine and the famous limoncella.

Attractions

Throughout history, Naples has witnessed fierce battles and many civilizations have sought to conquer it. Greeks, Romans, Spaniards, French, each of these peoples left their mark. Here, on the narrow streets among old buildings, ancient landmarks, ancient churches, real history is frozen.

Pompeii is a legendary ancient city destroyed during the devastating eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD at the height of its power. Despite the lava flows and tons of ash that buried the city and its inhabitants, it was preserved in fantastic condition.

Pompeii is a vast ruin. Roads, walls of houses, fragments of temples, public buildings and even frescoes in some houses have been preserved here. The most interesting places are the ruins of the amphitheater, Roman theaters, baths, the surroundings of the Forum, the temples of Apollo and Jupiter. Pompeii was a fairly extensive and developed city for those times. Even now, excavations here are not completely completed. And among various kinds of archaeological finds there are the petrified remains of unfortunate people, the last inhabitants of Pompeii.

Herculaneum is another city destroyed by Vesuvius. Despite the fact that he was further from the awakened volcano than Pompeii, this did not save him. Herculaneum is actually much better preserved. Some buildings still have some wooden structures, frames and roofing. Interesting attractions of these ruins are the Villa Papiri and the House of Argus, both of which have beautiful frescoes and wall paintings that survive.

San Gennaro is a network of catacombs located in the northern part of Naples near the Church of the Incoronata. The catacombs are a network of tunnels and passages with ancient tombs. They have two levels:

• the lower floor contains more than 3,000 burials. It is dimly lit to give it a slightly creepy atmosphere.
• the upper level is more spacious and bright. Contains many detailed frescoes and paintings.

Castel Nuovo is one of the symbols of Naples, a huge and mighty medieval castle located on the shores of the Gulf of Naples in close proximity to the famous Piazza del Plebiscito. The castle is a fortress with 5 powerful towers. An early Renaissance triumphal arch is the entrance. Castel Nuovo was built in the 13th century and was the residence of the kings and governors of Naples. It now houses a city museum with various collections and paintings with an emphasis on 19th century Italian painting.

Castel dell'Ovo is a stunning medieval castle on the island. It is the oldest surviving fortification of Naples. The date of foundation of the fortress dates back to the 6th century. Currently, Castel dell'Ovo is open to the public.

Piazza del Plebescito is the most famous square in Naples. This vast open space is filled with important buildings and statues: the royal courtyard and the Colonnaded Basilica Royale (or rather San Francesco di Paola, built in the 19th century on the model of the Pantheon), the Palazzo Salerno, the Prefectural Palace and the statue dedicated to Charles III, King Spain.

The Duomo is the cathedral and the most important temple of Naples. Built in the 13th century by Charles I of Anjou on the foundations of ancient churches. This religious building combines many styles, including Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque. The cathedral has a large central tower and many decorative sculptures and other decorations.

San Domenico Maggiore is an unusual church founded by Dominican friars in the 14th century. Located in the center of the old town of Naples near the university and the Dante metro station. Despite the rather featureless facade, the inside of the basilica is simply amazing: Renaissance works of art, sculptures and decorations, a paneled ceiling gilded with gold and a stunning altar.

San Severo is a small chapel from the 16th century. Although this chapel is quite simple and unassuming from the outside, the interior is very impressive and is a real highlight. The chapel contains a huge amount of art and several famous sculptures. The ceiling is decorated with a magnificent fresco. The central place is occupied by a beautiful statue of the veil of Christ, created by Giuseppe Sanmartino.

Palazzo Reale is a stunning royal palace that is located in Piazza del Plebiscito. The facade of this building has a symmetrical series of dark frames and many windows to create a formal and imposing appearance. In the niches of the palace there are 12 statues of the kings and rulers of Naples. Inside the palace there are many luxurious rooms with rich interiors.

Santa Lucia is an area west of Piazza del Plebiscito with many narrow cobbled streets that lead down to the sea and offer a variety of craft shops, restaurants, cafes and shops. A piece of real Naples and its atmosphere.

The city is quite large, so you will have to walk a lot. The historical center of Naples is pedestrian, the fastest way to get there is from the Dante or Museo metro (the latter station is located right next to, located on the edge of the old city).

Located far from the center, on a hill. You can get there by numerous buses departing from the Archaeological Museum (the stop is right next to the museum, you don’t even need to cross the road).

The most interesting areas for tourists are marked in color on the map:

Districts of Naples:

To get your bearings in Naples and understand where to go for what, you can look at the district map:

From Naples Station:

When you leave the Naples train station or arrive by bus from the airport, you will find yourself in the huge Piazza Garibaldi square. The historical center and all attractions are located on the opposite side from the station. First you will have to go through a not very pleasant area with an abundance of black counterfeit sellers. In the square in the center there is the Garibaldi metro station (line 1, line 2 metro station is located under the station).

At the other end of the square there will be a long avenue corso Umberto I (Corso Umberto I), which stretches to piazza Bovio (Piazza Bovio) and further, changing the name to via Agostino Depretis (via Agostino Depretis), leads to piazza del Municipio (Piazza del Municipio) and Maschio Angioino fortress.

At the beginning of Corso Umberto, on its left side there will be Mercato district- there are no less suspicious people there, so be careful with your bags (I had a record - a tablet was stolen from my pocket in just 1 hour in the city, and even without a crowd 🙁).

To the right from Corso Umberto, the wide street Via Duomo runs perpendicularly, along which you can walk to . From the station to the cathedral it is about 20 minutes on foot. Perpendicular to Via Duomo are the main tourist streets of the center of Naples - Via dei Tribunale and Via San Biagio Dei Librai, along which there are many interesting churches, restaurants and souvenir shops.

The long street Via Toledo goes from (metro station line 1 Museo) through Piazza Dante - Piazza Dante (metro station line 1 Dante) past the metro station Toledo (the most beautiful metro station, line 1) to Palazzo Reale (Royal Palace of Naples), large area Piazza Plebiscita And . From here, behind the royal castle, there will be one of the main - Castel dell'Ovo.

You can get to the museum of the same name within the block by almost any bus from the stop nearby (Museo metro station).

Via Partenope (via Partenope) and via Caracciolo (via Caracciolo) are favorite walking spots for both visitors and Neapolitans. At the height of the summer season there are many bars, discos and other night entertainment venues.

Historical center of Naples listed as a World Heritage Site, indicated on the map CENTRO STORICO.

Naples Tourist Office

• Piazza dei Martiri, 58
• 08 14 10 72 11

UIT Tourist Office

• Piazza del Gesu Nuovo, 7
• 08 15 51 27 01
• daily 09.00–20.00, Sun 09.00–13.30

Map of the historical center of Naples: