NAPOLI
Probably founded by Calicidesi settlers, originating from Cuma (Neapolis, 5th Century BC), defended by the Etruscans, Sanniti and Carthaginians, Naples was annexed to Rome in 326 BC.
Impoverished to a municipality (90 BC) because of Pozzuoli competition, it was nearly destroyed by the faithful connections of Silla, since they were faithful to Mario (82 BC). During the Greek-Gothic wars, it underwent sieges and pillage (553), but was still able to keep its autonomy under the Episcopal, even against the Longobard threats (7th Century). Constituted as a Duchy (Duke-Bishop Stefano I, 755-800, it was conquered by the Normans (1139) who favoured its economic development. After passing hands to the lineage of the Svevi (1187), it became a great cultural centre, when the Stadium (University, 1224) was built on behalf of Federico II. There were revolts against the Svevi under Corrado IV (1253), and then the City was occupied by the Angioini (Carlo I d’Angio, 1255) and became the Capital (1282) of a new autonomous state entity, which was called the Reign of Naples.
Passed to Alfonso of Aragona (1141), who was involved in the wars between the French and Spanish, it was then occupied by the Spanish in 1503, therefore becoming the capital of the viceroyalty.

It was a cultural and artistic centre for the entire 18th Century, but was also troubled by economic crisis and overpopulation, so much so, that the unhappiness of its population often broke out in open riots (for example the episode of Masaniello, 1647). Depopulated by the Plague (1656) and disturbed by the rivalry between the nobility and the Government (Conspiracy of Macchia, 1701), it passed hands to the Hapsburgs of Austria (1707-24) for a certain period and then to Carlo of the Bourbons of Spain (1734), who once again, made it the capital of an autonomous region. The spreading of the culture or age of enlightenment and revolutionary ideals favoured the constitution of the Partenopea Republic (transitory revolutionary attempt which lasted from 23rd January to 25th June, 1799). Occupied by the French (1806) and assigned first to Giuseppe Bonaparte, then to G. Murat, by the Congress of Vienna (1815), it then returned to the Bourbons (Reign of the Two Sicilies). All in all, the liberal movement remained active (revolts: 1820-21, 1848), until the Garibaldina occupation (7.9.1860) and the City’s passing under the Reign of Italy. During the Second World War, it only managed to free itself from the Nazi-Fascist occupation (Four days of Naples, 27-30 September 1943), preceding the entry of the alliance troops (1.10.1943).

The various stages of the history of the City are also represented from an artistic point of view.

Regarding the oldest era, there are the remains of the Roman Fort, the Temples of Cerere, Giove (Zeus), and Apollo, the columbarium also called Tomb of Virgilio (dating back to the Augustea era). The Christian period is testified by the Catacombs of S. Gennaro from the 2nd Century, the Baptistery of S. John in Fonte (5th Century, also preserving mosaics), the Cathedral 13th Century, readjusted), and the Paleo-Christian Basilica of S. Giorgio Maggiore (4th-17th Century).

The Medieval era, has its main testimonies in the Gothic Churches of S. Lorenzo Maggiore (13th Century), S. Domenico Maggiore (13th Century), S. Chiara (1310-28, which preserves a fresco of Giotto and also has the famous ornate Cloister of stupendous majolica) and S. Maria Donnaregina (1316).

Naples, as it has been said, was often a true and proper capital and its civil buildings, show signs of these historic periods: Castel Nuovo (New Castle) known as Maschio Angioino (1279-15th Century, with a triumphal arch by F. Laurana), the Royal Palace of Alfonso, The Cuomo Palaces (1464-90), Carafa (1466) and Gravina (1513-49), Capuana Door (1484), the Tomb of Cardinal Brancaccio (1426-28), by Donatello and Michelozzo).

The Renaissance also confirms its presence in the sacred architecture of the churches of S. Anna of the Lombards (1411-18th Century, which preserves the magnificent Piccolomini and Mastroguidice Chapels), S. Caterina (1519-93), Gesù Nuovo (New Jesus) (1584.1601), With the Carthusian Monastery of S. Martino (14th-17th Century), and with the Convent of Gerolamini (16th-18th Centuries) we move on to the Baroque and Rococo eras.

With the Royal Palace (1600-1748), Castel dell’Ovo (Castle) (12th-17th Centuries) and the S. Carlo Theatre (1737), one of the symbols of the City and one of the most blessed ‘Italian style’ theatres in all of Europe, we already come in full to the 18th Century.

Amongst the numerous City Museums, at least the following should be noted: the National Archaeological (with exhibitions mainly dealing with Pompeii and Ercolano), G. Filangieri Civic, National Gallery of Capodimonte (one of the most important Italian art galleries which can boast remarkable masterpieces of the most famous artists of our history of art), the National Museum of Ceramics of Duca of Martina; and the Botanical Gardens.
To visit
Castel Nuovo:
is a majestic structure which hangs over the southern side of Piazza del Municipio and is the most imposing civil construction of the Angioino and Aragonese periods of the City. The building works began in 1279 for the new exigency of the Court which could not adapt well to the other two castles the “Ovo” and “Capuano.” Today it hosts the Civic Museum and the Neapolitan Society of Native land History. It’s characterized by important architectonic elements, like the Towers, the Great Hall or of the Barons, but above all, the Arch of Triumph by Alfonso, dating back to 1453/68.

Palazzo Reale (Royal Palace):
faces onto the famous central Piazza del Plebiscito with the first nucleus dating back to 1602, followed by enlargements between 1743/48 and 1837 after a fire. It preserves the Historical Apartments and the “Vittorio Emanuele” National Library. The historical apartment zone is a museum area which preserves furnishings, tapestries and high quality paintings.

Complesso Monumentale di Santa Chiara (Monumental Complex of Saint Chiara):
is one of the most important monuments of the City which came about due to the wishes of Roberto d’Angiò. The building was initiated in 1310; complex historical and architectonic occurrences have modified or even transformed the functionality of the building over the years. The complex includes the Monastery of Minori, the Cathedral of Santa Chiara (the “Pantheon of Naples); the marvellous Majolica Cloister of the Clarisse and the Opera Museum of S. Chiara with an archaeological area.

Galleria d’Arte Moderna (Gallery of Modern Art):
the collection of paintings up to the 19th Century, is housed in the Academy of Belle Arti, at the ex convent of San Giovanni, between Santa Maria di Costantinopoli and Piazza Bellini. The most consistent part of the collection is dedicated to landscapes from the 19th Century Neapolitan School.

Museo Archeologico Nazionale (National Archaelogical Museum):
is situated at the end of Via Santa Maria di Costantinopoli and dominates the homonymous square. It’s without doubt one of the most important archaeological collections in the world regarding the Greek-Roman civilization. The Palazzo which hosts the Museum was the Cavalry building of 1586, transformed into the Palazzo of Studies between the 17th and 18th Century.

Certosa e Museo Nazionale di San Martino (Charterhouse and National Museum):
the Charterhouse of San Martino was founded in the 14th Century, but already in the 16th Century began to undergo transformation. It’s the most spectacular testimony of 17th Century Neapolitan culture. The museum, annexed to the Charterhouse, dates back to 1866. The museum complex has undergone a long restoration campaign which was concluded in the year 2000, for the organisation of the collections and ambiences. The museum includes furnishings, sacred pieces, a naval section, the marvellous gardens of the Charterhouse with extraordinary panoramic glimpses, an ancient study, a section dedicated to nativity cribs, paintings which tell in order, the history of the City and its great victories.