Ancient Naples

The ancient town centre of Naples is an "open air museum" which was declared a Unesco Site in 1997.

Built during the 5th century B. C. by Greek people, the area is characterized by the ancient typical layout of Greek cities, with streets intersecting to form a sort of geometrical net.

We will start our tour from Duomo street, where we will visit the Cathedral of Naples with its ancient and modern treasures. Every chapter of Naples history can be found inside this beautiful Gothic church which was built, during the 13th century, above the remains of more ancient buildings. The columns and the marble altar of an old pagan temple can be seen inside the Santa Restituta chapel, which is considered to be Naples oldest Catholic church. Known all over the world for the Miracle of San Gennaro Blood Liquifaction Ceremony, the cathedral of Naples is a superb example of the harmonious combination of different art and architectural styles, spanning from the 4th century B.C. to the 20th century A.D.
Following the visit of the Cathedral, we will head towards the center of the old Greek Neapolis city, through its maze of narrow cobble stoned alleys. Our first stop will be San Gaetano square, the main gathering area in ancient times, where the Greek Agora and the Roman Forum once were.
The little square is flanked by two famous churches: San Paolo Maggiore, with its beautiful roman columns belonging to the Temple of The Dioscures and San Lorenzo Maggiore, one of the most beautiful Gothic churches in Naples.
Our visit will continue with a stroll along the San Gregorio Armeno street, known as the Street of the Crechès, which is home to most of the artisan shops which produce special handmade little statues, miniatures of wooden houses and shops, that recreate the Nativity Scene, known as presepi (cribs). Heading down towards the picturesque Spaccanapoli street, the old "decumanus inferior" which splits the town of Naples into two parts, we will look at beautiful buildings and soon we will reach the famous two thousand years old statue representing the Nile river, in the ancient Egyptian area.

Not far from it there is Piazza San Domenico Maggiore, dominated by the spire erected by Neapolitans following the plague of 1656, which killed half the population of Naples. Bustling with students from the nearby universities and visitors coming from all over the world, this downtown square is considered to be the heart of Naples history and culture. Surrounded by beautiful palaces and the church dedicated to San Domenico, the square is also known as the venue where scandalous stories took place in the past.
We will stop at one of the most famous pastry shops to eat a sfogliatella or to drink an espresso coffee at a local bar.
Continuing along the via Benedetto Croce we will reach Piazza del Gesù Nuovo, surrounded by two Neapolitan masterpieces: Santa Chiara's church, with its fabulous cloister and the tombs of the kings of Anjou and Bourbon families, and the Gesù Nuovo's church, one of the most beautiful expressions of late Neapolitan Baroque.
Our tour will end in this beautiful square which is dominated by another spire and it is flanked by very famous buildings, among which there is the palace where Edgar Degas spent his holidays with his Neapolitan family and Giacomo Casanova conquered the heart of several pretty Neapolitan ladies.

© Dr Maria Sannino