Duomo
Built around the 12th century, the
Duomo has undergone several
restorations due to an earthquake
and a volcanic eruption, but is
otherwise still a splendid
architecture and an important place
of worship in this timeworn city.
The cathedral houses the relics of
San Gennaro and the phials
containing his blood which are
associated with a belief that if the
congealed blood liquefies, the
miracle will happen and the city
will be saved from any potential
disaster.
Chiesa di San
Domenico Maggiore
This magnificent church boasts a
wonderful hybrid between Baroque and
19th century neo-Gothic interior.
The church houses some fine examples
of Renaissance sculpture and
numerous coffins of the nobles
including the Aragón princes.
Museo
Archeologico Nazionale
This archeological museum is one of
the best places to study the
collections of Greek and Roman
antiquities. The collection includes
ancient Greek and Roman sculptures,
a famous mosaic of Alexander the
Great, and a collection of ancient
coins, medals, cameos, silverware
and jewelry, including ones
discovered at Pompeii and
Herculaneum.
Palazzo Reale
The construction of the Palazzo
Reale started in the 1600s and took
more than two centuries to complete.
The statues of the eight most
important kings of Naples were
inserted into niches in the facade
in 1888. The highlights is the Museo
del Palazzo Reale where visitors can
view a rich collection of
furnishings, porcelain, tapestries,
statues and paintings.
Catacomba di
San Gennaro
These beautiful 2nd century
catacombs contrast sharply with
their somber and dark counterparts
in Rome. Here, the visitors will
find a mix of tombs, corridors and
broad vestibules held up by columns
and arches and decorated with early
Christian frescoes and
mosaics.
Palazzo Reale
di Capodimonte
This 18th century palace with a
distinctive pinkish-orange and gray
marble exterior is situated in the
northern edge of the city. The Museo
e Gallerie di Capodimonte inside the
palace houses invaluable artworks by
Bellini, Botticelli, Caravaggio,
Correggio, Masaccio and
Titian.
Capri
Capri is one of the most famous
islands of Italy and is only a short
trip from Naples. The famous
Piazzetta square in the center of
town is a good place to shop or
enjoy a drink, and a walking tour of
the town enables you to view the
magnificent garden terraces, and
historic churches and
villas.
Ischia
A scenic boat trip to this largest
of the islands in the Bay of Naples
is a refreshing and appealing
excursion away from the city. The
star of the island is the 14th
century castle Castello d'Ischia.
For seafood gourmets, Ischia also
has numerous restaurants offering
delicious culinary fares based on
fish and seafood.
Pompeii
Not many people have never heard of
the famous site of Pompeii, the
ancient Roman town whose wealth and
splendor was swallowed by the angry
eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79
A.D. Pompeii is only a short
distance away from Naples, and the
site offers fascinating insights
into the lives and cultural
achievement of the ancient Romans
through the surviving ruins.
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