Napoli: Ancient Urban Grid, Opera and Cultural History

Historic centre with ancient traces

Napoli reveals its history not only through individual buildings, but also through the structure of the city. In its present-day urban structure, the historic centre of Napoli preserves the rectangular grid of the ancient Greek Neapolis. In 1995, it was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List. As you walk through the streets and alleys of the historic centre, you can discover its treasures and directly experience the connection between the present-day cityscape and its long history.

Underground history and special museum tours

This historical depth continues beneath the city. The Napoli Sotterranea excursion leads 40 metres underground through 2,400 years of Napoli’s history. It includes the remains of an ancient Greek-Roman aqueduct as well as air-raid shelters from the Second World War. The underground excursion complements the visible urban structure with an independent historical space beneath Napoli. Napoli Sotterranea also offers cultural activities and guided tours of underground Napoli.

The MANN offers a separate way to engage with art and the history of its collections. Upon reservation, the MANN offers tactile and multisensory tours of the museum’s masterpieces and most important collections. Underground, the city’s temporal depth is the focus; in the museum, the focus is on direct engagement with works and collections. This makes it possible to explore the museum visit specifically through the artworks and holdings presented there.

Piazzas, opera and historic buildings

One of the defining places in the cityscape is Piazza del Plebiscito. It includes the Basilica of San Francesco di Paola, which is considered one of the most important examples of neoclassical architecture in Italy. Teatro San Carlo was founded in 1737 and is considered the oldest continuously active opera house in the world. Castel Nuovo (Maschio Angioino) is a medieval and Renaissance castle as well as a landmark of Napoli. Palazzo Reale is the historic residence of the Spanish viceroys. San Gregorio Armeno is known as Napoli’s nativity scene street. Palazzo Reale represents the period of Spanish viceroyal rule, while San Gregorio Armeno represents the local nativity tradition.

Coast and UNESCO World Heritage

The UNESCO World Heritage Site preserves Roman archaeological remains along the coast of Napoli as well as renovated small boat harbours from Castel Nuovo to Capo Posillipo. Thus, the city’s history includes not only the ancient centre, piazzas and palaces, but also the archaeological traces and harbour sites along the coast.

Finding your way between two routes

The official city map shows two routes. The Il Decumano Superiore route runs from the Museo Archeologico Nazionale to Parco Re Ladislao. The Il Decumano Inferiore route is marked from Piazza del Gesù Nuovo to Ruota dell’Annunziata.

More destinations

For additional destinations on your trip to Italy, you can also include Pozzuoli, Nerano, Acerra, Marechiaro, Saviano, Poggiomarino, Procida and Baia in your plans.

For the higher-level travel overview: Naples.