At Naples, eating their world-famous pizza would be considered culinary heresy – yet this city offers much more than pizza shops and pizzerias!
Naples is an extraordinary grand metropolis, replete with centuries of cultural history. A stroll through its streets reveals many enchanting urban vistas, from Gesu Nuovo church’s brutalist aesthetic to bar-lined squares where locals meet at aperitivo time.
1. Quartieri Spagnoli
The Quartieri Spagnoli (Spanish Quarters) are a maze of narrow alleyways lined with clothes-hanging clotheslines and small taverns that epitomize Naples’ old charm. Once, this neighborhood was used by Spain to quarter their troops during the sixteenth century, but in recent years has undergone drastic change and become one of the main tourist draws in town.
An exploration of Naples’ Spanish Quarter is an enthralling journey through its past and present history, from artful murals depicting Neapolitan life to establishments providing typical Italian food and beverages. A walk around these streets can provide visitors with a wealth of history lessons!
Walking in the Quartieri Spagnoli is best done between May and September when temperatures are warm yet not overly hot, there is the possibility of rain, and there are fewer crowds. As most streets in this district are made up of flagstones and cobbles, comfortable shoes are essential. A hat or sunglasses may come in handy on sunny days while an outer coat could come in handy on cooler evenings.
Spanish Quarters visitors will find a range of activities to delight them, including visiting the famed Pedamentina staircase – designed in 14th-century Italy to lead up to Certosa di San Martino and offer breathtaking city views – which boasts many complex flights of stairs leading up to it. Visitors can walk up these famous 14th-century steps while admiring an incredible panorama from each step.
An alternative activity would be visiting an authentic Neapolitan restaurant such as Osteria della Mattonella, a family-run trattoria where guests can sample delicious authentic Italian cuisine prepared using traditional recipes and ingredients, with warm hospitality from friendly staff members.
The Spanish Quarters is also home to various theaters where visitors can enjoy live opera and ballet performances by an Italian company, including Teatro Augusteo or Teatro Stabile Napoli in Naples’ historic center. While tipping is not mandatory in Italy, it is common practice to leave an additional 10% tip if exceptional service has been rendered.
2. Vomero
Vomero offers a respite from Naples’ bustling streets; visit it to take in its charms – fascinating activities and breathtaking views of the city below are among them.
Vomero district feels like an entirely separate city from Rome’s downhill historic center, with tree-lined streets and well-dressed nonni strolling along pedestrian thoroughfares. Residential development began in earnest following Italy’s unification and its massive urban renewal project known as Risanamento; at that time developers envisioned Vomero as an upper middle class area comprised of large villas and apartments designed in late Liberty style architecture.
By the 1920s, Vomero had become more integrated with the rest of the city; for instance, with a hospital being constructed on top of Arenella section and new roads built to accommodate automobiles; one notable one was via Gerolamo Santacroce, which ran along an eastern hillside from Vomero and connected with existing street via Salvator Rosa within the city limits.
Via Aniello Falcone was another prominent road, running parallel from Vomero and corso V.E. This area became well known as one of the first Italian film production houses: Partenope Film by Guglielmo, Vincenzo and Roberto Troncone opened its headquarters and theaters on via Solimena in 1912 before Giuseppe Di Luggo launched Polifilms with its theaters on Via Cimarosa two years later.
Today, this neighborhood is best-known for its breathtaking panoramic views. At various lookout points visitors can admire the entire city below them as well as distant Capri and Mount Vesuvius. Furthermore, many renowned pubs in this district attract soccer fans who wish to watch their team.
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3. Castel Nuovo
Castel Nuovo, one of Naples’s iconic medieval and Renaissance castles, dates back to 1279 when Charles I of Anjou ordered its construction as royal residence and fortress after moving the Kingdom of Sicily capital from Palermo to Naples in 1279. Over time it became a meeting point for artists such as Petrarch, Boccaccio and Giotto; today its imposing exterior offers stunning panoramic views from its ramparts.
Castle of Naples stands as an iconic symbol of Naples with its fortified walls and towers that are instantly recognisable to visitors to this historic city. The Triumphal Arch, serving as its entrance, is an architectural masterpiece which pays homage to Alfonso I of Aragon’s entry into Naples through exquisite detailing; featuring Alfonso I himself entering Naples under this archway; also depicting justice, temperance, fortitude and Prudence which recall Angevin tomb iconography.
At Naples Castle, visitors can marvel at its impressive halls and rooms such as Giotto’s Palatine Chapel with its original frescoes frescoed by him in 15th-century. Additionally, there are paintings by Battistello Caracciolo, Fabrizio Santafede, Luca Giordano and Francesco Solimena and frescoes by important Caravaggisti artists like Battistello Caracciolo Fabrizio Santafede Fabrizio Santafede Fabrizio Santafede Fabrizio Santafede Luca Giordano Solimena by important Caravaggisti artists such as Battistello Caracciolo Caracciolo while there is also an array of art from 15th-18th centuries in Naples Castle itself! Additionally the Civic Museum of Naples exhibits numerous paintings from 15th through 18th centuries in Naples Castle itself!
Under the rule of Spain’s Aragonese family, their castle was enhanced to make it more suitable as a military fort. New rooms were added while luxurious decorations from Catalonia in Spain decorated its throne room – used frequently for ceremonies as well as executions.
Today, the castle serves as an important tourist attraction and houses the Societa Napoletana di Storia Patria (Neapolitan Society of Homeland History). Additionally to hosting a museum, this organization boasts administrative offices as well as a library with book, iconographic and documentary collections.
4. Piazza del Plebiscito
Piazza del Plebiscito can be found at the heart of Naples and features historic buildings that exude grandeur from times past. At its center stands the Royal Palace and Basilica of San Francesco di Paola with its dome that was designed to resemble that of Rome’s Pantheon; two pastel palazzi named Palazzo della Prefettura and Palazzo Salerno as well as statues dedicated to Charles III of Spain and Ferdinand I of Naples are located here as well.
Long referred to as Largo di Palazzo (the Square of the Palace), in 1860 it received its current moniker to honour the plebiscite that united Italy with Naples. Today, this iconic piazza stands as a symbolic representation of modern Naples; previously reduced to car parking between 1960-1994, now pedestrian friendly it provides a place where one can relax while admiring Naples’ stunning architecture.
The Royal Palace stands as the centerpiece of this square and spans one side of the plaza, having served as home to various members of the Bourbon dynasty kings and becoming an iconic structure within Naples history. Atop its impressive facade are 19 statues honoring famous rulers of Naples such as Ruggiero II (known as Norman) or Vittorio Emanuele II of Savoy.
Visitors to the square can take a tour of the Royal Palace for an in-depth understanding of how and why its use by the royal family was selected as their residence. Visitors will witness its stunning architecture, majestic rooms, luxurious golden ceilings, as well as its collection of Italian art from numerous artists.
As well as visiting the Royal Palace, there are plenty of activities available in the piazza. One popular pastime involves playing a game where people attempt to cross the square with eyes closed or blindfolded; most fail as it’s almost impossible to walk straight through its center.