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Campania presents all
the remarkable sites which tourists will want to discover
and make the most of during their stay here: from the
islands in the Bay of Naples to the Sorrentine Peninsula and
the Amalfi Coast, from Cilento to the Domitian Coast,
as well as the interior, with the provinces of Benevento,
Caserta and Avellino, together forming a truly unique region.
The scenery is breathtaking, much of it safeguarded within
the parks and numerous nature reserves which characterise
Campania, from the Matese to the Park of the Monti Picentini,
from Vesuvius to the National Park of Cilento e Vallo di
Diano. Wherever you go,
you can sample genuine local dishes and wines prepared
according to tradition; the monuments and archaeological
parks bring you into contact with past civilisations which
cast their spell on young people and on the not so young, as
well as on the experts. Among the many “gems”, leaving aside
the extraordinary Pompeii, we can mention Herculaneum,
Stabia, Boscoreale and Oplontis with their ancient villas,
the Phlegrean Fields with Rione Terra at Pozzuoli, the
largest urban archaeological park in Europe, Miseno and the
underwater city of Baia, and the archaeological park of
Conza. And on down to Cilento, where the
archaeological park of Velia lies surrounded by a splendid
national park.
Some of these wonderful monuments are also open in the
evenings, giving visitors an unforgettable experience as
they traverse the Temples of Paestum, the archaeological
site of Pompeii or the Royal Palace of Caserta with special
effects as night falls.
For those in search of peace and quiet, Campania is rich in
spas: 29 mineral water
Campania: is an extraordinary mixture of art, culture
and nature, a land where ancient and modern fuse together in
a grandiose spectacle which has lasted for thousands of
years. Even today the remains of buried civilizations come
to light, an eloquent testimony to the wrath of the Vesuvius.
In the shadow of the volcano, Pompeii, Herculaneum and other
cities that were destroyed by the eruption re-emerged in all
their stupendous beauty. The throbbing hearts of the
Mediterranean coast, such as Pozzuoli, Baia, Miseno, charmed
Roman emperors and rich noble men, who built sumptuous
villas there. Further south, there is Paestum and its
majestic temples, and Velia, where the philosophers
Parmenides and Zeno enquired into the secrets of the
universe. Myths and legends abound in this region, lending
the routes a special magic.
Starting from the bowels of Naples, where caves dug out of
the tuff (volcanic rock) bore witness to primitive Christian
rituals, one proceeds through the Phlegrean Fields, gate of
the Underworld, where the Sybil of Cuma made her prophecies;
to arrive at Benevento, where Roman cults enriched Medieval
legends with sabbath and witches.
Surrounded by green fields, and almost suspended in time,
the medieval villages of Campania, from Casertavecchia to
Sant’Agata dei Goti and on to Teggiano, are distinguished by
a myriad of tiny houses, decorated in the Longobard and
Norman tradition to form a long barrier. On the coast there
are towering fortresses, built during the Middle Ages to
fend off Saracen pirates, whose splendid architecture can
still be seen at Positano, Amalfi and Ravello.
Monumental splendour still enliven the ancient centre of
Naples; there are churches, castles, sumptuous palaces, and
the magnificent royal residences, bearing the stamp of the
Bourbon kings, such as the immense Royal Palace in Caserta.
But Campania is still conversant with the language of
contemporary art, now more than ever. Museums and squares
are open to artists from all over the world; the stations of
the new Naples underground railway system are used as
exhibition space, which has been described as the best
Museum of contemporary art in Italy.
Travellers, today as in the past, continue to visit
Campania, attracted by its extraordinary artistic and
historical heritage. The stupendous coastline, the
spectacular glimpses of the islands, the wild beauty of the
mountains, the
verdant plains and their inhabitants continue to exert a
mysterious charm.
The ‘discovery’ of Pompeii and Herculaneum
Majestic and menacing, Vesuvius still dominates the
Neapolitan landscape.
From the Eighteenth century onwards travellers have been
prepared to tackle the climb up to the top in order to
admire the panorama and look down into the crater. There is
no better starting point to begin a journey through the
history and
culture of Campania.
A journey which takes us back in time, as far as that 24th
of August in 79 A.D. when Vesuvius ‘put on a show’ with a
devastating eruption which buried Pompeii, Herculaneum and
Oplontis.
The rediscovery of the places that were victims of the wrath
of the volcano came about almost by chance. In 1709 the
prince d’Elboeuf, was having a well dug in his Vesuvian
residence, when he came upon the remains of the theatre of
Herculaneum. From then on, researches were made which
brought to light an archaeological, artistic and historical
heritage of inestimable
value, which every year draws millions of visitors.
Already two thousand years ago Pompeii was an important
commercial centre felix in Campania, has played a strategic
role in redistribution of assets between Rome hinterland
cities and ports on the Mediterranean.
Today you can admire the remains of Basilica, the seat of
justice and chamber trade, religious buildings and the
Macellum, site of the marketplace. From the main square
streets lead off to the ancient city, revealing majestic
houses, such as the House of the Faun and the House of the
Vettii, with their splendid frescoes. The shops in via
dell’Abbondanza, offer a lively impression of everyday life
two thousands years ago.
From here we carry on to the Stabian Baths, the oldest
public baths in Pompeii, ending up at the massively
impressive Amphitheatre, where even today, as in the Large
Theatre, there are concerts and theatrical productions.
Just outside the city, stands the Villa of the Mysteries,
the most ‘enigmatic’ monument in Pompeii, with its grand
fresco celebrating the mysterious cult of Dionysus.
The treasures of Herculaneum
The ruins of Pompeii
Vesuvius National Park
Coral and cameos
Wines and typical
food products
At Herculaneum, unlike Pompeii, where the eruption
destroyed roofs and attics, a large part of the buildings
remain several stories high: the House of Argus still has
its wooden balcony.
The House of Relief of Telephus is distinguished by its
refined marble decorations; the House of Neptune and
Amphitrite have
beautiful mosaics; the House of the Deer has sumptuous rooms
and the superb Villa of the Papyri is famous for its
sculptures, now on view in the Archaeological Museum of
Naples and its library of philosophical texts. Not far from
Herculaneum, near Torre Annunziata (formerly ancient
Oplontis) stands the Villa of Poppea.
The traditional view is that it belonged to Poppea Sabina,
Nero’s second wife. The building, standing in a large
garden, is decorated with brilliant frescoes representing
still life subjects.
Castellamare, formerly ancient Stabiae, was an important
settlement destroyed by the Vesuvian eruption of 79 A.D.
Today the settlements of Arianna and San Marco constitute a
precious testimony to lost splendours. Some of the most
beautiful
frescoes of the Roman period have been found here, together
with precious mosaics and thermal plants.
Cuma, Paestum and Velia:
discovering Magna Grecia
The origins of civilization in Campania and its relation to
the Greek world are very ancient.
Cuma is the most ancient Greek colony in Italy, founded in
the VIII century B.C. At the foot of the acropolis there is
the famous Sybil’s Cave, associated with the myth of the
famous clairvoyant (in reality it was a Roman military
installation).
There is a magnificent view from the top of the acropolis,
from where the remains of the Roman city can be seen in the
plain.
In the plain of Sele, there is Paestum, the other important
Greek settlement in Campania (VI century B.C.). It is famous
for its magnificent Doric temples: the ‘Basilica’, the
temple of Neptune (in fact connected with the cult of Hera),
and the temple of Cerere (in fact dedicated to Pallas
Athena). In the Roman era shops and a market were added to
the Forum.
The Archaeological Museum of Paestum contains precious items
found in the area around Heraion in the plain of Sele,
together
with tomb paintings, including the highly celebrated ones in
the Tomb of the Diver.
Further south, Velia (formerly ancient Elea, founded in 540
B.C.) was the seat of the famous school of philosophy run by
Parmenides and Zeno. Today the remains of an ionic temple
and a theatre can be seen. The Porta Rosa, which formed part
of the city walls, is one of the most well preserved and
most beautiful of the vestiges of Magna Grecia.
Underground Naples
Wrapped in a tissue of legends, the origins of Naples go
back to remote times: it was founded in the VII century B.C.
by Cuma.
On the slopes of Mount Echia in Pizzofalcone and around
Piazza Bellini the remains of the Greek walls can still be
seen.
Underground there are caves that were hollowed out long ago
to extract tuff and later used as a place for secret rituals.
Starting out from piazza San Gaetano, the former market
place of ancient Neapolis, one can follow an ‘underground
route’ to discover a city with in a city.
At San Lorenzo Maggiore more remains have been discovered,
including shops, tabernae and the Erario, site of the
municipal treasury. On the Posillipo hill the remains are
still to be seen of the vast Villa del Pausilypon. High on a
cliff commanding an astonishing view there still remain
parts of the theatre and the odeon (covered concert hall).
The archaeological area is reached through the monumental
Grotta di Seiano in Via Coroglio.
Some parts of the Roman Villa have been submerged due to
bradyseism. These now form part of the Gaiola Underwater
park, a protected marine area.
The holidays of Imperial Rome
Saturated in art and history, the Phlegrean Fields owe their
name to volcanic upheavals which have existed since remote
times (in Greek flegraios means ‘burning’). These very
phenomena are responsible for creating one of the largest
underwater archaeological sites in Italy.
This includes urban settlements, thermal baths, ports and
fish farms, many of which were submerged by bradyseism, a
aeological phenomenon which alternately lifts or lowers the
land. In Pozzuoli the columns of the Temple of Serapis are
covered by marine organisms, bearing witness to the time
when there were submerged. Other monuments of particular
interest are the Flavian Amphitheatre, one of the largest in
antiquity, and the remains of Rione Terra. Under the
Cathedral, constructed in the XI century on the site of a
Roman temple, digs have revealed an entire city with streets
lined with warehouses, thermal baths, shops, fountains and
houses.
Baia Castle
Publio Vedio Pollione, the owner of Pausilypon, has been
described as being as cruel as he was rich: according to a
famous anecdote, he intended to punish a servant who had
broken a precious vase by throwing him as food for the eels.
The Emperor
Augustus, who was present at the time, saved the servant and
ordered the whole collection of vases to be destroyed.
Santa Maria Capua Vetere
After following a route of great scenic beauty and passing
by the lake of Averno, thought in the past to be the
entrance to the Underworld, one arrives at Baia, the most
fashionable holiday resort of Imperial Rome. The town
extends from Punta
Epitaffio to the headland where the Aragonese Castle stands,
now the site of the Phlegrean Fields Archaeological Museum.
The Archaeological and Monumental Park are of great
interest, for here is located the Palatium, a grandiose
imperial complex where thermal baths, temples, ponds and
theatres follow one after the other. Nearby is Bacoli with
its complex of Cento Camerelle, a vast collection of
cisterns dug out of the tuff stone, and the impressive
Piscina Mirabile, an enormous reservoir fed by the Serino
aqueduct, created to refill the Roma fleet at the port of
Miseno. At Miseno, where Tiberius died and Caligula was
invested, the most important monument is that of the Shrine
of the Augustals: threatened by water due to brandyseism, it
was taken down and put up again in the Phlegrean Fields
Museum. Another interesting exhibition to be seen at the
Museum is the reconstruction of the Nymphaeum of Punta
Epitaffio, salvaged from the sea: the statues of Ulysses and
his companion with a goatskin of wine, as well as beautiful
statues of the Imperial family.
Recent research in the Baia Underwater Park has brought to
light, impressive remains below sea level, which can be
visited on a specially equipped boat.
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Among craters and fumaroles:
the Solfatara
The Phlegrean Fields still have an active volcano which can
be visited: ‘The Hall of Hephaestus’ was the name given to
the
Solfatara by the Greeks, attributing the disturbing
fumaroles with their clouds of sulphurous vapours and
boiling mud to the presence of the God of fire.
The splendours Stufe di Nerone (Baia) Benevento Gladiators
Museum of Wines and typical foods Thermal Baths of Agnano
Santa Maria Capua Vetere products
The civilization of Campania was born on the banks of the
river Volturno. Ancient Capua (today Santa Maria Capua
Vetere) was the most important city in this area. Its
monuments testify to the splendours of the past: the
Amphitheatre, in size second only to the Colosseum; the
Mitreo, an exceptional example of the widespread cult of the
Persian God Mitra
in the West; the Collegiate Church of Santa Maria, founded
in the V century. The Museum of Ancient Capua, where
recently discovered material is on display, should be
visited, as should the Gladiators Museum, which is unique of
its kind.
The Mothers of Capua
One thing not to be missed is the unique collection in the
Campano Museum in Capua: the impressive statues in tuff of
the
Mothers (VI-II B.C.).
Found in a temple dedicated to a goddess, these votive
figures representing seated.
Santa Maria Capua Vetere,
Amphitheatre
women, holding in their arms one or two babies: some are
even holding a dozen! It is assumed to be the Mater Matuta,
goddess of fertility who was in fact worshipped in Campania
Felix, referring to the fertility of the soil and to female
fecundity.
Present day Sannio is only a part of the area which was
occupied in antiquity by the warlike Samnite tribes, which
was finally occupied by the Romans after epic battles. In
Benevento, the Trajan’s Arch, the Theatre and much of the
material now housed in the Sannio Museum (in the beautiful
Romanesque church of Santa Sofia) attest to the splendours
of the city in the time of Imperial Rome. The Sannio
Provincial Museum is one of the most remarkable in Campania.
The archaeology section contains prehistoric material, Greek
and Italic ceramics, Hellenistic-Roman statues and Egyptian
sculptures originating from a temple dedicated to Iside.
It was in fact these exotic cults introduced by the Romans,
along with the pagan rites of the Longobards, that
contributed to the Myth of the witches of Benevento: a
legendary tradition which still hovers over this land,
adding to its mysterious allure.
The catacombs of San Gennaro (III century A.D.) formed the
most ancient and the largest Christian cemetery of antiquity.
Up until the XI century they were considerate to be a place
of worship, as the precious murals attest.
Near the church of Santa Maria della Sanità, the catacombs
of San Gaudioso and San Severo date back to the V century
and these too are
Catacombs of San Gennaro
decorated with mosaics and frescoes. Between the VII and
VIII centuries, thanks to the Longobards having been
converted to
Christianity, the Church assumed control of many centres in
Benevento and Irpinia.
The Basilica of Santa Maria Annunziata in Prata di
Principato Ultra contains catacombs dating back to the IV
century.
In Cimitile, near Nola, there is an impressive group of
Paleochristian Basilicas which offer exceptional
architectural testimony to the passage from the late Roman
Imperial period to the Middle Ages. The fame of the bishop
San Felice and the miracles that were witnessed near his
tomb, transformed this centre into a shrine for pilgrims.
Shortly after, four small
basilicas sprang up. With Paolino, bishop of Nola and then a
Saint, a monastery was added to the basilicas in the IV
century. After a period of splendours during which more
buildings were built, Cimitile was gradually abandoned and
almost forgotten.
The complex of at least thirteen edifices including
basilicas, churches and buildings decorated with frescoes
and mosaics, is one of the most fascinating examples of
Paleochristian art in Italy.
The feast of the Lillies in Nola
The Feast of Lillies commemorates the return of the bishop
Paolino from imprisonment in Africa (410 A.D.): he was
welcomed with flowers and candles (cilii, from which derives
the word Gigli). For centuries the people of Nola have made
processions
carrying candles and torches always increasing in size,
until today they have reached 25 metres and are decorated in
apier-mâché.
Medieval routes
Once Campania had overcome its fear that the world would end
in the year one thousand, it became the site of ferocious
battles which marked the decline of Longobard power and the
beginning of Norman dominations. Small mountain towns and
large towns on the coast
faced the new Millennium, protected by thick walls with
crenellated battlements, with time marching to the tune of
the chimes of the Romanesque Cathedrals. Ample testimony to
these hard times is still evident in Campania.
The Norman counties in ‘Terra di Lavoro’
The evocative town of Casahirta (Casertavecchia), which
dominates the plain of Terra di Lavoro, dates back to the IX
century when it was built on a small Roman settlement.
The town reached its high point in the XI century, under the
Norman domination. The Cathedral, a real jewel of Romanesque
architecture, was built in this period. Today its stone
buildings make the town one of the most picturesque in the
area.
Nearby Aversa also owes its fame to the Normans. The
Cathedral, with its majestic dome, its marble relief of
Saint George and the dragon and beautifully decorated apse,
represents a fine example of Romanesque architecture in
Campania.
Capua, “the jewel in the crown and the key of the Kingdom”,
dates even further the back. It was founded in the IX
century by the Longobards near the Roman Capua (present day
Santa Maria Capua Vetere), before being abandoned later when
it was invaded by the barbarians. In the thirteenth century
Frederick the Second of Sweden had the famous Porta Roma
built, a bulwark of Imperial power against that of the Pope.
Inspired by ancient art, the sculptures of the Porta Roma
are now to be found in the
Campano Museum, in the Palazzo Antignano.
Sant’Angelo in Formis
On the heights of Monte Tifata there is one of the most
remarkable basilicas in Italy.
Built on the ruins of a temple dedicated to the goddess
Diana, Sant’Angelo in Formis was the work of the Longobards,
but it was completely transformed in the eleventh century by
Desiderio, abbot of Montecassino. The extraordinary frescoes
with which the interior is decorated represent episodes in
the life of Christ, and are works of Campano masters who
were inspired by Byzantine painting dating from the same
period: it is a cycle of paintings unique in Southern Italy.
The archaeological area at Fratte bears witness to the
Etruscan and Samnite origins of Salerno. It was founded in
the V century B.C. but the city reached its apogee in the
Middle Ages. Conquered by the Longobards in the VIII century,
it became a great military centre under Prince Arechi II,
who elevated it to the capital of the Duchy of Benevento and
built a fortress
bearing his name. The Arechi Castle still dominates the town.
There are numerous examples that attest to its Medieval
splendours: the Portanova district, site of the old market
place, the very beautiful San Matteo Cathedral, founded by
Robert Guiscard in 1084, with its Byzantine door, its ambos
decorated with sculptures and mosaics and its great entrance.
Salerno has a Provincial Archaeological Museum, which houses
prehistoric remains, ceramics from the Greek Era and
paintings
from the Neapolitan School dating from the VII and VIII
centuries. The Museo Città Creativa di Ogliara (the Creative
City Museum) is a place which conducts research into the
local arts and crafts while also being a centre of
experimentation.
the Abbey of Cava de’ Tirreni
The Abbey of the Santissima Trinità (Holy Trinity) was
founded in 1085 by a Neapolitan nobleman and is a few
kilometres away from Salerno.
This important Benedictine centre of Southern Italy has a
museum which houses marble sculptures dating from the II to
the
XVI centuries, among which are several fragments by Tino di
Camaino, paintings from the XVI to the XVIII centuries,
Gothic
jewellery, precious ceramics and ivory.
Legends and folk traditions, arts and traditional crafts,
have come alive again in many parts of Campania. In Sannio,
myths and ancestral cults related to farming are manifested
by feasts and religious celebrations which provide the
visitor with the opportunity to soak up the atmosphere of
the past.
The calm beauty of nature, on the other hand, has made
Irpinia the land of sanctuaries. A magical balance between
nature and religion seems to be a feature of the Vallo di
Diano, where the monks of the Certosa of San Lorenzo
established a monastic centre, among the largest in Europe.
Legend and tradition in the heart of Sannio
Benevento and its province has always given Ciro, the little
see the internal organs rise to fascinating myths and
stories. dinosaur of the reptile that lived From the witches
of Benevento, for example, Found in the more than 113
million derives the legend of the bridge of San Lupo,
Geopalentological Park years ago. near the Valley of Calore,
which was supposed of etraroja, Ciro is the The Park also
has to have been used as a launching pad for their fossil of
a perfectly interesting fossils of broomsticks. The ancient
pagan rituals, in which preserved baby fresh water fish, the
seasons were celebrated, are still re-enacted dinosaur: in
past no shellfish, amphibians in nearby Solopaca. In the
second week of one had been able to and reptiles.
September there is the great Festival of Grapes with a
procession of symbolic floats, repeating ancient traditions.
In the Telesina Valley, which takes its name from the famous
thermal baths of Telese, we find Cerreto Sannita and San
Lorenzello, both known throughout the world for their
ceramics. Climbing up from Cerreto towards Mount Mutria, one
comes upon the
village of Cusano Mutri, a little Medieval town famous for
its mushrooms. The Museum of the area tells the story.
In the beautiful Valley of Fortore, Pietrelcina is connected
with the figure of Padre Pio, who was born here in 1887. The
village has preserved intact the places that marked the
important steps in the Saint’s life, such as the nearby
Piana
Romana, where the Saint received the stigmata and which has
now become a shrine for pilgrims from all over the world.
A route lined with vines and fruit trees takes us to Colle
Sannita and San Marco dei Cavoti, where the beautiful church
del Carmine and the Tower
Clocks Museum can be visited. San Marco is also the
birthplace of the famous nougat.
The Saint from Pietrelcina
Francesco Forgione, known as Padre Pio, was born in a modest
family of Pietrelcina in 1887. While he was praying in the
small
village church, on 20 September 1918 he received the
stigmata. This event drew the attention of doctors,
academics and
journalists but, above all, of the common people, who in the
following decades transformed Pietrelcina into one of the
most
famous shrines of pilgrimage of our time.
Irpinia, in the ancient lands
When getting to know Irpinia, one discovers that apart from
the marvellous landscape there is also a rich culture
heritage: Etruscans, Greeks, Romans, Goths and Longobards...
in more than three thousand years many peoples have crossed
this land, and their passage is marked by Roman ruins,
catacombs, Longobard castles and baroque monuments. The
capital, Avellino is surrounded by splendid natural scenery.
In the centre, while appearing modern, there are interesting
historic buildings: the Cathedral, the baroque Clock Tower,
the ruins of the Longobard Castle.
The Irpino Museum houses some real masterpieces: findings
from ancient Abellinum; the rich tomb of a tribal chief from
Mirabella Eclano, buried together with his dog; the wooden
The Sanctuary of Montevergine
nature and parks Taburno-Camposauro Monti Picentini Regional
Regional Nature Park Nature Park Partenio Regional Cilento
and Vallo di Diano Nature Park National Park Pietraroja
Geopaleontological Park
statues from the Sanctuary of Mefite, ceramics and porcelain
decorated by the Neapolitan school between the XVII and XIX
centuries and a marvellous crib, dating from the XVIII
century. Solofra, among magnificent mountains scenery,
contains artistic treasures like the Collegiate church of
San Michele; on the banks of Sabato Atripalda is the
archaeological area of ancient Abellinum.
In Mirabella Eclano the remains of the Roman city Aeclanum
have been uncovered. Not far from the small Longobard
settlement of Sant’Angelo dei Lombardi, which is perched on
a hill with panoramic views, stands one of the most
important European Medieval monuments, the Abbey of San
Guglielmo al Goleto founded in 1113.
On Mount Partenio stands the great Sanctuary dedicated to
the Virgin Mary, with wonderful panoramic views. This is one
of the most important religious centres, but is also full of
works of art and monumental architecture. In the Museum
there are
paintings, sculptures, liturgical objects and cribs.
San Guglielmo al Goleto Abbey
In the centre of Sannio, where once stood the samnite
Caudium, we find Montesarchio. The town has fine buildings
like the Cappella d’Avalos and the church of San Francesco,
with its rich collection of works dating from the XVI and
XVII centuries.
But the place richest in history in Sannio is Sant’Agata dei
Goti: a charming medieval town with a network of winding
streets which lead to small squares full of old churches and
monumental mansions.
Sant’Agata dei Goti
Ancient Compsa
At Conza della Campania, near the lake of Conza (a large
artificial lake with an ecosystem of great interest to
naturalists),
archaeological digs have revealed important ruins and part
of the Roman Forum; these can be visited at the Ancient
Compsa Archaeological Park.
A city for monks Walnut liqueur (Benevento) Benevento and
San Marco wines Cilento Doc Extravirgin olive oil Colline
dei Cavoti nougat Sannio Doc Fiano di Avellino Docg
Beneventane Extravirgin olive oil Solopaca Doc Taurasi Docg
Pietraroja ham Cilento Dop Taburno Doc Greco di Tufo Docg nt
monastic underground lake. The Roman Theatre of Benevento
Certosa of Padula of Padula Pietrelcina
NOT TO BE MISSED: Capodimonte Royal Palace Caserta Royal
Palace San Leucio Caserta Avellino Benevento Salerno Napoli
Torre del Greco Royal palaces, mansions, parks: in the
footsteps of the Bourbons
The king’s residences
In the VIII century Campania saw a number of majestic
palaces spring up. In the capital, King Charles of Bourbon
took up residence in the ancient Palazzo dei Viceré, known
today as the Royal Palace. He also built another palace at
Capodimonte where he spent his time hunting.
The palace is now the National Museum of Capodimonte. ‘Luogo
di delizie’ (the place of delights) on the other hand was
the Portici Royal Palace. This building is now used as the
Faculty of Agriculture of the University. Set between the
sea and the volcano, it benefits from a wonderful scenic
position. Perhaps in competition with the Sun King (his
ancestor), Charles of Bourbon wanted a residence which would
outdo the luxury and the majesty of Versailles. Thus the
Caserta Royal Palace,
Luigi Vanvitelli’s masterpiece, was conceived. The immense
residence contains four courtyards, thousands of rooms,
chapels,
museums and theatres. If the Reggia represents a veritable
feast of architecture and decoration, the Park (120 hectares)
is equally imposing with its majestic fountains, water
displays and lawns that stretch as far as the eye can see.
The water
courses come to a dramatic finish in the Great Waterfall,
also known as the Fountain of Diana.
In the Park there is also an English Garden, made to satisfy
the wishes of Maria Carolina of Austria. There is a bus
service for those who wish to visit the Park. Near Caserta,
San Leucio and the Royal seat of Carditello are the fruit of
two experiments made by Ferdinand IV of Bourbon: near the
silk factory of San Leucio a village was established on what
were utopian lines for the period. The silk production of
San Leucio found markets all over Europe and even today is
much appreciated. Carditello, on the other hand, was a model
of farming methods. In the middle of the VIII century, a
small palace, farms and a church were built to welcome the
sovereign. Hunting was the great passion of Charles and
Ferdinand of Bourbon: from the Phlegrean Fields to the
Vesuvian cities and as far as the plain of Caserta, hunting
lodges were built in parks and wooded zones. In 1782 Carlo
Vanvitelli built the Casina del Fusaro, a pavilion
on lake Fusaro, in Bacoli.
Caserta Royal Palace
the villas of the Golden Mile Vesuvius National Park Baia
Domizia Roccamonfina chestnuts Matese Regional Caserta Royal
Palace Buffalo Mozzarella Dop Nature Park and Park
Naples Royal Palace
and enchantments Royal Palace and ‘Spaccanapoli’ and Palazzo
Reale and Piazza National Archaeological Museum of
Capodimonte
Piazza del Plebiscito the historical centre del Plebiscito
Museum Castel dell’Ovo Castel Nuovo Castel dell’Ovo and
seaside Certosa and Museum ‘Spaccanapoli’ and MADRE Museum
of National Archaeological of San Martino the historical
centre ontemporary Art Donna
Museum Regina
Castel dell’Ovo Castel Nuovo
Unlike other European cities, in Naples the castles have
never been dwelling and refuges for nobles and serfs, but
real and proper palaces.
The coastline is dominated by the massive tuff walls of the
Castel dell’Ovo, the most ancient in the city, which towers
over the tiny island of Megaride. First a Roman Villa, then
a convent, then a Norman Royal Palace, it is today one of
the most evocative and panoramic places in the Gulf.
Castel Capuano, which still contains fine sixteenth century
frescoes, now houses the civil courts. The most luxurious
palace built by the Kings of Naples in the Middle Ages was
the Maschio Angioino (or Castel Nuovo). The castle, which
has become today the Civic Museum, was re-built by Alfonso
d’Aragona, who added an Arco di Trionfo in white marble in
1443: the magnificent sculpture in relief represents the
highest point of Renaissance sculpture in the South of
Italy. The massive
fortress of Castel Sant’Elmo dominates the Vomero hill: the
view from the slopes is unforgettable.
Castel Capuano Castel Nuovo Castel Sant’Elmo Museo
Archeologico Nazionale Museo e Gallerie di Capodimonte Museo
Nazionale di San Martino Palazzo Reale piazza Plebiscito
Napoli Museo Duca di Martina Museo Principe Aragona
Pignatelli Cortes Baroque churches, noble palaces and secret
cloisters
Near piazza Bellini, where the old Greek walls dating from
the IV century B.C. can still be seen, the main street of
Greco-Roman Neapolis begins: this is Via dei Tribunali,
which is lined by some of the most ancient palaces. Along
this route rises the late medieval bell-tower of
Pietrasanta, and then the Purgatorio ad Arco church, where
the ancient cult of the Dead continues to this day, followed
by the Gothic church of San Lorenzo Maggiore, built on the
remains of a Roman building which can still be seen today.
There is also an interesting museum. Not far from there, is
the Duomo, where paleochristian basilicas and churches have
been grouped together along with the precious Cappella
Santa Chiara Capodimonte Park Historical centre
Virgiliano Park Naples Underground Villa Comunale Seaside
Villa Floridiana
del Tesoro di San Gennaro. It is here that twice a year the
blood of the Saint liquifies. Near the Duomo, a vast
collection of XVII and XVIII century paintings are on show
in Pio Monte della Misericordia, including Caravaggio’s
masterpiece ‘The Seven works of charity’. In San Gregorio
Armeno, the very famous ‘cribs street’ is well worth a visit:
apart from the workshops where the statuettes for the cribs
are made, there is the Monastery with its sumptuous baroque
church and a secret cloister with its garden of orange trees.
This narrow street connects Via dei Tribunali with another
Greco-Roman
thoroughfare: the Via San Biagio dei Librai, also known as
Spaccanapoli. Along this street some of the most important
monuments are to be found.
Church of Gesù Nuovo
Near the little church of Sant’Angelo a Nilo, rich in
Renaissance sculptures, we find the statue of Nilo. The
Monastic citadel of San Domenico Maggiore, with its baroque
spire is also not to be missed.
Another ‘must’ is the Gothic church of Santa Chiara, with
its colourful cloister decorated in majolica, dating from
the XVIII century. The church of Gesù Nuovo: with its
austere ashlar façade contains within it a wealth of marble
sculptures, gold and frescoes.
A small detour must be made to see the Cappella San Severo,
an unusual and splendid baroque building which contains one
of the most beautiful sculptures of XVIII century Naples:
Giuseppe Sanmartino’s Cristo velato (the veiled Christ).
Veiled Christ in the Cappella San Severo San Lorenzo
Maggiore art and history
Visiting Naples also means ‘losing oneself’ in its museums
that are rich in art treasures. To begin with there is the
National Archaeological Museum, which houses the Farnese
collection and, above all, the findings of the Vesuvian
archaeological sites: frescoes, mosaics, jewellery and
everyday objects. There are also numerous ‘curiosities’: the
Secret Cabinet, which brings together works of an erotic
nature found in Pompeii, an Egyptian section and the Gems
Collection. The precious Farnese collection, once belonging
to Charles of Bourbon was first put on show in 1758 in the
palace on the hill, now the Capodimonte museum. It contains
paintings by Titian, Parmigianino, Carracci and other famous
artists together with other art objects. The Royal
apartments are most impressive, especially the drawing room
of Queen Maria Amalia, which is
entirely decorated in porcelain. The second floor is devoted
to Neapolitan art from the 13th to the 18th centuries with
extraordinary works by Simone Martini, Colantonio,
Caravaggio and others. From the Vomero hill, the Certosa of
San Martino dominates the city. The splendid rooms of the
13th century monastery, completely transformed by Cosimo
Fanzago and sumptuously decorated such as to create a museum
of Neapolitan baroque art, also houses the San Martino
Museum, with the famous cribs section and a gallery where
the history of the city is recounted. In the centre of
Naples, the Royal Palace
houses an interesting collection of 18th and
Capodimonte Museum
19th century furniture as well as an elegant little rococo
theatre. Two museums less known to the public are the Duca
di Martina Museum in Vomero and the Pignatelli Museum: the
first contains a collection of European and Oriental
porcelain, the second is an aristocratic residence dating
from the late 19th century with a lovely flower garden. In
Piazzetta Mondragone
there is the Èlena Aldobrandini Museum of Textiles and
Clothes, where fine old fabrics and clothes from 20th
century fashion houses are on display.
National Archaeological Museum
Cribs and shepherds of San Gregorio Armeno Capodimonte
Porcelains Food market of Pignasecca (Montesanto)
The porcelain was mixed in this Meissen factories, he of
Capodimonte substance that was opened a factory in The
‘recipe’ of porcelain imported from China. The Naples. And
thus the was one of the most first to succeed were the
porcelain of Capodimonte closely guarded secrets Germans at
Meissen. was born, becoming of the 18th century. The When
King Charles of celebrated throughout the European craftsmen
Bourbon married the world. Splendid antique competed with
one daughter of the Elector of pieces are now kept in the
another to discover what Saxony, the owner of the
Capodimonte Museum.
The Flagellation by Caravaggio
The marvels of the coast
With its beautiful places, the smell of citrus fruits and
its wonderful climate the Sorrento Peninsula became one of
the favoured stops on the Grand Tour. Castellammare is the
gateway to the Sorrento Peninsula. Around the Varano hill,
elegant Roman dwellings have been found, along with a dozen
farming villages built in the fields, giving us an idea of
what ancient Stabiae was like. At Vico Equense the urban
settlement built by Charles II of Anjou as a summer
residence has been
preserved. The Giusso castle was built in this period, along
with the Gothic Cathedral. Sorrento, built on a mound of
tuff, is of Greek origin, as its chessboard design indicates.
At the ancient crossroad stands piazza Tasso, dedicated to
the author of Gerusalemme Liberata, who was born here in
1544. The
piazza is the heart of Sorrento; on one side it opens on to
Corso Italia, a street full of boutiques. On the other side
stands the Correale Museum in which are kept examples of
ancient art, paintings, and other art objects; as well as
the church of San Francesco d’Assisi with its small XIV
century cloister and the basilica of Sant’Antonino, famous
for its XVIII
century crib. A fine view is to be admired from the street
which leads to the Marina Grande, while the Via della Pietà
leads to the medieval part of the town.
Museo Correale di Terranova Villa Arianna e Villa San Marco
Museo della tarsia lignea Palazzo Pomarici Santomasi Museo
Ignazio Cerio Capri Villa Jovis Capri Certosa di San Giacomo
e Museo Diefenbach viale Certosa Capri
An island worthy of an Emperor
Rocky and sun-drenched, the most desired island of
travellers throughout the world, Capri rises high up out of
the sea. In Piazza Umberto I, the celebrated ‘piazzetta’
with cafes and ancient buildings, stands the Palazzo Cerio,
where Queen Giovanna stayed, and which is now a museum with
a collection of fossil, minerals and archaeological finds.
The Certosa of San Giacomo is the most important religious
edifice on the island and has been rebuilt several times due
to pirate raids. Places of
particular interest are the ‘sala del Capitolo’, the
apartments of the priory, the cloisters and the Diefenbach
Museum, which houses paintings by the German artist that
offer a dreamy vision of Capri landscape. Various walks can
be taken from the centre, one of which leads to the enormous
Villa Jovis, one of the residences built by the Emperor
Tiberius. A symbol of
Capri, together with the Faraglioni, the Blue Grotto was
used in Roman times as a pool beneath the lofty Villa di
Gradola. The cave owes its name to the phenomenon of
refracted light, which causes it to look completely blue. On
the way to Anacapri, the second town in Capri, the remains
of an impressive Roman villa can be seen, Villa Damecuta. A
short distance from the centre stands the beautiful Villa
San Michele, built in 1896 on the site of a Roman ruin by
the Swedish doctor and writer Axel Munthe and made famous by
the novel of the same name.
Sorrento Positano Amalfi Capri Monti Lattari Regional
Sorrento Nature Park Capri Punta Campanella Positano Nature
Marine Reserve Mount Solaro (Anacapri)
Villa Jovis Living in Capri
Beyond the Villa San Michele, there are other places in
Capri that bear witness to its illustrious guests. Villa
Jovis, one of the twelve villas that the Emperor Tiberius
had built, and Villa Lysis, owned by Baron Fersen, with its
wonderful park. Lenin stayed here during his days of exile;
a pillar is dedicated to him in the Augusto Park.
Curzio Malaparte, the author of La Pelle, had a villa built
here in the 1930’s by Adalberto Libera which is perched on a
cliff and is an exceptional example of rationalist
architecture.
Villa Malaparte Villa di Damecuta Anacapri Villa San Michele
viale Axel Munthe Anacapri Museo della Ceramica Villa
Guarigliavia Nuova Raito Villa Rufolo Villa Cimbrone Museo
Civico Amalfi Museo della Carta spas and wellness Stabia
Thermal baths Vico Equense specialities Dairy products of
Agerola Sorrento Lemons Pasta from Gragnano Anchovy paste (Cetara)
Red tune of Cetara wines Capri Doc Costa d’Amalfi Doc
Penisola Sorrentina Doc Wines from Gragnano and from Lettere
Mount Solaro bleway (Capri) Campano Mineralogical Museum
(Vico Equense) Paper Museum in Amalfi The Cathedral of
Amalfi Dairy products and cheese Ceramics of Vietri (Agerola)
Limoncello of Amalfi,
Furniture and wooden Capri and Sorrento objects
(Sorrento) Wines
Until the end of the 19th century the Amalfi coast remained
isolated because the only way of reaching it was on the back
of a mule. Today no trip in Campania is complete without a
visit to this charming spot, pervaded by the intense smell
of lemons and full of steep, winding roads that run down to
the sea. Vietri is a delightful town on a terrace
overlooking the sea and is famous for its highly colourful
ceramics that decorate most of the civic buildings and the
façade of the Villa Guariglia, in the Raito district, where
we find the Ceramic Museum. Ravello has one of the most
splendid views on the entire coast. It was founded in the VI
century and its antique splendour is still visible today in
its churches and beautiful villas. The
Medieval Cathedral contains a number of valuable art works,
including its bronze doors and its mosaics. Villa Rufolo,
built in the 13th century, every year hosts the Ravello
Music Festival, behind which looms the figure of Wagner, who
was said to have been so overwhelmed by the beauty of
Ravello that inspired part of his Parsifal.
The Cathedral of Ravello Villa Cimbrone
The small fishing village of Atrani is extraordinarily
picturesque with its little houses constructed one on top of
the other and its steep winding streets.
The church of SS. Salvatore de Bireto is very elegant and
was the place where doges were crowned and buried in feudal
times.
The little white houses hewn out of the rock and the
impressive steps up to the Cathedral render the Amalfi
panorama unique. Amalfi was the first maritime republic of
Italy and in the Civic Museum the Tabula Amalphitana, the
first navigational code in history, has been preserved. The
Cathedral was dedicated to Sant’Andrea, the apostle who was
a fisherman. The edifice is dominated by a bell-tower with
elegant arabesques, which is a repeated motif in the
‘chiostro del Paradiso’.
The fame of Positano, now a favourite spot for international
tourism, is due to its marvellous position on the coast and
to the dozens of boutiques that set the style for beach
clothes with their original creations. The majolica dome of
the 13th century church of Santa Maria Assunta dominates the
landscape. It is here that the Madonna Nera is venerated, a
Byzantine icon fished out of the sea.
The ceramics of Vietri
are still greatly events From the 14th century, appreciated
to this day. june-august ceramics have been the It is very
enjoyable to _Evening Concerts main source of revenue go
around the The Axel Munthe of Vietri sul Mare. numerous
shops or to Foundation Decorated with rustic visit the
factories, for Anacapri scenes that reflect the surrounding
landscape or with classical motifs, all brightly coloured,
the ceramics of Vietri each place offers a different style
and a different kind of decoration.
Costiera Amalfitana Ravello Terra Murata in Procida The
Aragonese Castle in Ischia
Procida
(along with the tiny island of Vivara) and Ischia make up
the archipelago of the phlegrean islands. Overshadowed by
the
scenic beauty of the mainland, they are nonetheless very
enjoyable.
Procida, which is less frequented by tourists, is the most
mysterious and unassuming. Its timeless dimension has
inspired many writers from Lamartine to Elsa Morante, who
have set their novels here; more recently it was chosen as
the spot where several scenes were shot during the filming
of Il Postino (The Postman), Massimo Troisi’s last film.
The heart of this ancient island is Terra Murata: a town
closed off by massive walls, constructed to keep pirates
out.
At 100 metres above sea level, the Castle d’Avalos towers
above the island and the Abbey of San Michele seems a jewel
box,
where paintings, sculptures and sacred vestments dating from
its thousand years of history are kept. The Marina di Sancio
Cattolico is a charming spot, with its arched houses on the
edge of the sea; as is the village of Marina della
Corricella, with its fisherman’s houses built like steps up
from the sea, and the Chiaiolella.
Abbazia di San Michele Procida Oasi protetta di Vivara
Procida Museo del Mare Palazzo dell’Orologiovia Giovanni da
Procida
Castello Aragonese Ischia Ponte La Colombaia Forio d’Ischia
Museo Archeologico Pithecusae Marina della Corricella Terra
Murata Ischia Porto Procida Ischia Procida Ischia Procida
Ischia Marina di Corricella Lacco Ameno Vivara Nature Oasis
Mount Epomeo Marina di Chiaiolella ‘Rive Droite’ in Ischia
Porto Procida Lemons Ischia Rabbit Marina di Chiaiolella
Forio d’Ischia Giardino La Mortella Sant’Angelo Ischia Porto
Sant’Angelo (Forio)
wines Terra Murata Ischia Doc
Ischia, once the ancient Pithecusae founded by the churches,
prisons, gardens, a Museum of Procida in literature The
‘Festa della The cup of Nestor Greeks, is now a well known
spot for international Instruments of Torture and ancient
weapons and Innocent and wild like Graziella’ is a beauty In
the Archaeological events tourism that owes its success to
variety of its provides extraordinary views from its
terraces. In her island: this is how contest in which the
Museum of Pithecusae monday in albis landscape and its
extraordinary thermal sources. Lacco Ameno, the beautiful
Villa Arbusto houses Lamartine described prettiest girl on
the is kept the famous _Flight of the angel
Ischia
The ‘green’ island offers marvellous spots with the
Archaeological Museum of Pithecusae, Graziella, the young
island is elected. The Nestor’s Cup (750 lush vegetation,
gardens, vines and all that is which provides ample evidence
of the first Greek heroine from Procida in Elsa Morante
literary B.C.).
This bears one of april-may necessary to spend a truly
relaxing holiday. settlement. Forio’s medieval roots can be
seen by the novel of the same prize is also linked to a the
earliest Greek _Procida Chamber
The first pleasant discovery is the port itself, its narrow
streets and some 15th century name (1851) which has novel,
the tragic and inscriptions and alludes Music Festival
distinguished by the arched houses that are typical
buildings, namely the Torrione and the sanctuary helped make
Procida haunting story of an to the cup of the King Procida
of old fishing villages, and the Cathedral. In the of the
Madonna del Soccorso. Here is also the known throughout the
adolescent from Procida: of Pila, mentioned in world.
L’isola di Arturo. Homer’s Illiad: “from june nearby Ischia
Ponte is the Museo del Mare (Sea villa of Luchino Visconti,
the Colombaia, which Nestor… a good cup _Ischia Film
Festival Museum) and, above all, the monument and today
houses a museum devoted to the film for drinking, but he who
Ischia symbol of the island, the Aragonese Castle. Built
director as well as a splendid park. drinks from this cup
june-septemberin the 15th century,
it is a citadel-fortress, with will be immediately Sanctuary
of the Soccorso, Forio d’Ischia Archaeological Museum of
Pithecusae, Lacco Ameno Terra Murata, Procida filled with
desire for _Music Festival Ischia
A land which knows how to change itself, which looks to the
future without betraying its past. This is Campania: capable
of offering the modern traveller its ancient splendours but
ready to seek the way towards the next millennium. Creative
workshops, theatre and film shows, as well as polyfunctional
centres spring up in numbers in towns and small villages
bringing life back to degraded areas or the suburbs. A
significant example of such action can be seen in the post
industrial area of Bagnoli, where the Città della Scienza
science centre, an interactive museum devoted to spreading
scientific knowledge, has become a reference point for young
people. At the same time, the public transport system is
planning to
concentrate on the connections between the city centre and
the outskirts with the intention of furthering the culture
and art of our time.
MADRE Museo d’Arte Donna Regina Palazzo Donnaregina, PAN
Palazzo delle Arti Napoli Città della Scienza
Arcos Arte Contemporanea Sannio
Designed by the Portuguese architect, Alvaro Siza, the
MADRE, Museo d’Arte Donna Regina, displays works created for
the city by celebrated artists from all over the world that
have made their mark on the artistic life of Naples in
recent years: a great museum with an international breath.
The main collection is composed of works by the many artists
who have collaborated with the city in the past.
In fact it contains classic works that are on extended loan
from national and international collections, together with
works that have been created specially for this museum.
Works by Bianchi, Clemente, Horn, Kapoor, Kounellis,
Paolini, Sol Lewitt, Serra and many more. The MADRE, Museo
d’Arte contemporanea Donna Regina PAN, Palazzo delle Arti
Napoli,in the 18th century Palazzo Roccella, is a workshop
which hosts short exhibitions, concerts, film shows,
theatrical productions and happenings.
Designed by prestigious architects, decorated by works of
art by the most important contemporary artists: no, it’s not
a Museum but the Line 1 of the Neapolitan subway. Known as
the “metro dell’arte” (the Art Subway), it showcases daring
installations like that of Joseph Kosuth in the station at
Piazza Dante (a neon board quotes the Convivio of Dante), of
Jannis Kounellis, fascinating and essential, as well as
those of Michelangelo Pistoletto and Nicola de Maria.
At the Museo Station, along the tunnel which leads to the
Archaeological Museum, there is a show of objects that were
found during the construction of the subway. Fruit of the
playful imagination of the Mendini atelier, the Materdei
Station offers a lively Wall drawing by Sol Lewitt, a
monochrome construction by Ettore Spalletti and mosaics by
Sandro Chia. The Salvator Rosa Station is not just decorated
with art works on the inside: the entire district has become
part of the installation with views of the buildings drawn
by Renato Barisani, Gianni Pisani and Ernesto Tatafiore.
The evocative cellars of the Palazzo di Prefettura, in the
heart of Benevento, houses the Museum
PAN, Palazzo delle Arti Napoli
Arcos, Contemporary Art of Sannio. A perfect site for art
displays, it was opened in 1992 when Mimmo Paladino set up
in the garden of the closed convent of San Domenico his
Hortus Conclusus: a group of sculptures that are
extraordinarily evocative and seem to recall a mythical past
beyond any human memory.
The Caserta Royal Palace hosts the Terrae Motus collection:
more than seventy works of contemporary artists pulled
together by gallery owner Lucio Amelio in the emotional
aftermath of the 1980 earthquake. Andy Warhol, Beuys,
Alfano, Mapplethorpe, Pistolletti and many other artists
throughout the world created masterpieces inspired by the
earthquake.
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