Naples "Upside Down"

It has no sense to go and visit Naples without having a look at the “ hidden Town “, too. The splendid visible city, full of medieval and baroque evidences, raises on a layer of Greek and Roman buildings, whose remains are still recognisable “ underneath “


The Highlights of Naples and its historical centre. 

gesu nuovo squareThe Piazza of the Gesù Nuovo is the entrance gate to the old centre.
The spire of the Immacolata (Vergin Mary) and the Church of the Gesù Nuovo introduce the Baroque atmosphere of the area. The inside of the church is a harmonious whole of marbles, stuccoes and frescoes, with works by Francesco Solimena, Luca Giordano e Massimo Stanzione.
 
Not far away is the gothic Church of S. Chiara, built in 1310 by Robert of Anjou and turned into a baroque church in the 1700’s. After being damaged by the bombings of 1943, it was restored back to its original form. Here you will find the Tomb of Robert of Anjou as well as the private Chapel of the Bourbon family, who used to be buried into this church.
A stroll in the cloister of the Clares is not to be missed. Dating back to the gothic time, it was then decorated by splendid ceramic tiles where the neapolitan artists Donato and Giuseppe Massa painted landscape scenes.
 
Walking along the “Spaccanapoli” (split Naples) you’ll approach the S. Domenico Square.
The Church, dating back to the 13th century, was the official Aragonese dynastic one, the funeral arches of which are displayed in the Sacresty.
Not far away we find the extraordinary Sansevero Chapel. A visit to this spectacular baroque complex is not to miss.
The masterpiece is to be found in the statue of the Veiled Christ by Giuseppe Sammartino, a real example of virtuosity in sculptoring marble; besides, many inventions and anatomical machines are visible in the chapel, all underlining the interest and the involvement of its owner, the prince of Sansevero, in alchemy and Freemasonry.
 
Via Tribunali is the parallel one of the so-called Spaccanapoli street; it itersects Via S. Gregorio Armeno, one of the most important italian centres for the production of Christmas Crib. In the two months before Chrismas the road fills up with stands that sell little shepers and decoration for nativity scenes.

napoli marketplaceApart from the traditional ones, the craftsmen produce figurines depicting political and gossip personalities, which are always displayed in the several small shops flanking the street.
At the end of this street we found ourselves in the heart of the greek-roman town, where the layers can still be seen. You can experience a” going back to the past” by partecipating to an optional two hour trip through subterranean passages and cisterns ending with the visit of the greek-roman theatre, or by approaching the hidden area under the Church of S. Lorenzo, where to enjoy part of the original commercial centre dating back to the roman time.
 
Last but not least, Via Duomo will complete the tour of the historical centre. The road takes the name from the Cathedral, a gothic structure completed by Robert of Anjou in 1313. Along the left nave is the entrance to the Basilica of S. Restituta, founded in the 4th century by the Emperor Constantine and then turned into a lateral chapel of the gothic church.
basilica of san GennaroRight opposite the old Basilica we’ll admire the Chapel of the treasure of S. Gennaro,
where the flasks with the blood of the saint are kept all the year long and exhibited during the miracle of the liquifaction of the blood itself. The magnificent chapel was decorated by the most famous artists of the 17th century and it displays gourgeos silver reliquery busts.
The visit of the old town will be followed by a breaf tour to the discovery of the neapolitan highligts, all located around the Municipio and the Plebiscito Squares.
 
Castel Nuovo, also known as Maschio Angioino, was built by Charles of Anjou in 1279 and then modified by the Aragonese. The Triumphal Arch at the entrance of the caste was erected to commemorate the arrival of Alfonso of Aragon in 1442 and it’s one of the finest examples of Renaissance sculpture in the south.
 
The Umberto I Gallery, dating back to the 19th century, was built as a sort of covered shopping centre.
The vault consists of a splendid iron and glass work, the floor is a great example of inlaid marble, the interior is all decorated in Liberty style.
 
Right opposite the Gallery you can admire the S. Carlo Theatre, the oldest opera house in the world, inaugurated on November 4 ,1737, and named after its patron Charles of Bourbon. The building, almost totally destroyed by a fire in 1816, was then reconstructed in newclassical style.
 

Approaching Piazza Plebiscito you’ll admire the Royal Palace, built in the 17th century on a project by Domenico Fontana. The Palace was the official residence of Charles of Bourboun as well as of the Royal Families ruling first Naples and than Italy until the turning of our monarchical state into a republican one (1946).

plebiscito square


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