Naples (from the Greek translates as "New City") is located in southern Italy. In size, it is in third place after Rome and Milan. Naples has a peculiar history, culture, even people here speak a special dialect that you will not find anywhere else. This city personifies the joy and pain that Italy experiences from time to time. Naples is also called the "theater of life", because here from time to time events are played out that have serious historical and political significance. And this magical city is a favorite vacation spot for millions of tourists. Every year, travelers from all over the world come to the south of Italy to enjoy hospitality, warmth and local color.
Naples History
Today, the southern Italian city is a major administrative center of the Campania region, in which more than 3 million inhabitants live (if we take into account the suburbs). The history of Naples begins in the VIII century BC. e., when the ancient Greeks founded the settlement of Parthenopeia. It passed to the Romans in 327 BC. e., they owned the city until the VI century, until Byzantium attacked it. In the period from VII to XII century Naples developed at an accelerated pace. Initially, it became the capital of the Duchy of Naples, then part, and eventually the capital of the Sicilian kingdom. In 1224, Naples acquired its own university. In the XVII century, Italy could boast the second largest city in Europe. Naples has grown to an unprecedented size, it was inhabited by 300,000 inhabitants.
How to get to the resort?
You can get to Naples by any means of transport. It is a vibrant, vibrant city, easily accessible for travelers by sea, air and land. Naples Capodichino Airport is one of the largest in Italy; it is of great importance for all the country's southern resorts. Every day he takes a huge number of regional, national and international flights. Fans of navigation are invited to use the services of a ferry or ship. From the port of Naples you can go to Olbia, Cagliari, Sorrento, Palermo and other cities.
Through the resort runs a railway line connecting the south and north of Italy. By train, you can get to Naples from any major city in the country. Electric trains run between popular resorts. Naples is connected by bus to many Italian and even European cities. There is a bus station in Garibaldi Square. A bus is one of the most convenient and economical ways to get to cities such as Rome, Salerno, Lecce, Bari, Milan, Pompeii, Taranto and others. The most convenient way to travel is to travel around Italy in a rented car. Which transport to choose - it already depends on the preferences of the tourist.
Naples Hotels
At any time of the year, sunny Italy is eagerly awaiting guests. Naples offers a range of hotels. Depending on their location, the price changes. For example, the most expensive apartments are located on the waterfront, and the cheapest - in the historical part of the city. In Naples there are practically no 3-star hotels, mostly only 1-2 and 4-5 stars. If you want to relax inexpensively and comfortably, it is better to rent a house in a historic area. From here it is convenient to get to the promenade, go on excursions to other cities. Travelers recommend the Partenope Relais, located on the seafront. Also very popular is the UNA Hotel Napoli, located in the city center. Hotel Piazza Bellini has a good reputation, which can be found in the historical part.
Naples cuisine
Italian dishes find their fans all over the world. Therefore, it is simply unforgivable to go to Naples and not to taste all the most popular culinary masterpieces of this wonderful country. Pizza is the passion of Italians. Each chef cooks it in his own way, adding his own zest to the traditional recipe. Pizzerias, restaurants, cafes are scattered throughout the city. In these cozy establishments for comparatively little money they will nourish even the most fastidious visitors.
Italian chefs offer a wide selection of seafood dishes. Absolutely everyone likes local sandwiches, which can be taken along with soft drinks for a light snack. It is also worth paying attention to the wines, their divine taste will not leave anyone indifferent. Sweet tooth will be struck by delicious sweets and ice cream. The city of Naples will be absolutely remembered by the original dishes, the cozy atmosphere of restaurants and cafes. Italians know how not only to cook food deliciously, but also to present it interestingly.
Shopping in Naples
The resort is famous not only for its natural beauty and architectural monuments, but also for shopping areas. Here are concentrated as stores of world brands - "Gucci", "Armani", "Ferragamo", and ordinary shops where you can buy inexpensive, but very high-quality and beautiful clothes and shoes. The starting point of all shopaholics is the Umberto Gallery, it is here where the largest number of souvenir stalls and boutiques are located. It is also worth walking along such shopping streets as Via Chiaia (famous for its relatively inexpensive goods), Via Calabritto - to a cluster of representative offices of world brands, Via Roma - a 3-km commercial artery of Naples. There are several outlets in the outskirts of the city, where you can buy branded items at affordable prices due to discounts.
Catacombs - "the kingdom of Hades"
Time in Naples will fly by if you seriously study local attractions. Catacombs - a place where silence, peace, an atmosphere of secrets and mysteries reigns. Under the houses and streets of the city there are more than 700 caves, tunnels and galleries; for many centuries, citizens have removed tuff from them for the construction of fortress walls, squares, churches. In the catacombs you can see the ancient underground sanctuaries, ritual crypts, aqueducts of the ancient Romans, caves of the ancient Greeks, underground passages, secret passages of the Bourbons. Archaeologists during the excavation found here objects whose age exceeded 5 thousand years. In the catacombs of San Gennaro are the tombs of bishops belonging to early Christianity. Tourists are also invited to look at the numerous frescoes and steles.
Tour of the Archaeological Museum
Lovers of history and antiquity will also conquer the many-faced Naples. Photos of the national archaeological museum and its exhibits will not leave indifferent not only ordinary tourists, but also professional researchers. This is an important cultural center not only in Italy, but throughout the world. The museum has collected a huge number of collections of Roman and ancient Greek exhibits. The building itself is also of architectural value. It was built in 1586. On the ground floor are collected sculptures of ancient times. Between the first and second floors there are mosaics found during excavations in Pompeii. Absolutely all visitors are impressed by the second floor, where the hall of the temple of Isis and the hall of the frescoes are located.
Castles of Naples
A very interesting attraction of the city is the Egg Castle, or Castel del Ovo. According to legend, the poet Virgil spoke an egg, placed it in an amphora, and the vessel in an iron cage, which he buried on the island of Magaride, where he built an impregnable castle. The city will not be destroyed as long as the egg remains intact. It is because of this legend that the castle got its name. Today Castel del Ovo is a complex of towers of different eras. The castle was built in 1139, in the XVII century it turned into a prison, and now it is open for tourists.
Castel Nuovo, or Anjou Donjon, is considered another architectural masterpiece that Italy boasts. Naples was once the capital of the Sicilian kingdom, so Karl of Anjou built a residence here. The castle was built over five years, from 1279 to 1284. It is a trapezoidal fortress with powerful round-shaped towers in the corners. There is a portal of marble, it is decorated with bas-reliefs and statues.
Other sights of the city
Religious people are encouraged to visit the Cathedral of St. January. The church was laid by Karl of Anjou, dedicating it to the heavenly patron of the city. The consecration of the building took place already under the king’s grandson, Robert. The cathedral amazes visitors with its decoration and wealth. Famous Italian craftsmen were engaged in its decoration. The main attraction of the temple is a vessel with the blood of a saint, which was sealed 17 centuries ago.
Another interesting place to visit is the royal palace, which was built over half a century. This is a huge three-story building, made in the style of the late Renaissance. The palace is decorated with equestrian statues, sculptures of Neapolitan kings. Opposite the building is the Basilica of San Francesco di Paola, modeled on the Roman pantheon. The interior of the temple is decorated with numerous paintings, frescoes, statues. It is also recommended to visit the Umberto I Gallery. This is a huge shopping arcade of the XIX century, built in neoclassical style. Naples on the map of Italy should be found at least in order to enjoy local attractions, to plunge into the culture and history of the mysterious many-sided country.
What to do in Naples?
In the south of Italy you do not have to be bored; sunny warm weather has an active pastime. Travelers are offered a huge selection of excursions, among which there are interesting, informative and even extreme ones. In Italy there is where to go and what to see, because this is a country with centuries of history, culture, unique traditions. In Naples, you can simply wander around the historical center, look at the life of local residents, admire the narrow streets. Here you can also go shopping, tasting pizza and other traditional dishes. What to see in Naples, will find absolutely all categories of vacationers. Having visited the city once, you will definitely want to come here more than once.