Many commonplaces and platitudes have been written about this city after the second world war, erasing many positive things of one of the most important Italian cities.
For years people have been seeing Naples like the city of Totò, Pulcinella, Lotto and Saint Gennaro.
For too much time Campania Region has been synonimous of corruption, “camorra”, immorality. Many people forgot that till year ‘900 this city was a must for foreign tourists who visited Italy.
But somenthing is changing. In 1994 the meeting of “G8” has been hold at  “Castel dell’Ovo” and “Certosa di San Martino” so that many politicians discovered these beauties. After that many international awards have been granted to Naples, like the inclusion of the whole historical center in the UNESCO humanity inalienable patrimony.

HISTORICAL OUTILINE

The history of Naples begins in the nineth century a.C., when navigators from the island of Rodi, landed on its shores. Until between the seventh and the sixth centuries a.C., we don’t know very much. But at this point history becomes much clearer, with the foundation of the Greek colony on the Acropoli di Pizzofalcone.
Subsequently, the Cumani moved the city more to the east, taking the name of Neapolis (new city) to distinguish it grom its predecessor, Palepolis. The Greek-Roman Naples had an Ippodamèo plan; a reticle of streets and buildings placed at right corners mad up of three main streets (i Decumani) and secondary streets (i Cardini) that formed insulae (blocks in modern terms), a structure that remained untouched for over 2500 years, and which is today the old center. 
Visiting this area i of great historical, artistic and achaeological interest. The fortunate position of Naples made it a center of enormous commercial and military interest. Its tradistions considered so important, that even during the Roman era, it was allowed to maintain its Greek culture and institutions. 
Its popularity continued even after the fall of the Roman empire. It was in fact subjected to constant dominations. Byzantine, Longobard, Norman, Swabian, Angevin, Aragonese, Spanish, Austrian, Borbonice and French, all of whom left an indelible sign of their presence in the buildings and momuments of the city.
Naples was a great European capital until the unification of Italy.
And today it is still a very important artistic and cultural center. The history of Naples is perfectly legilble in its urban structure, which maintains, especially in the old center, the signs of a city built slowly over a period of 25 centuries, that embraces cultures from that of the Greek-Roman era to the Baroque period, passing through the strong influences of the Midievals, Angevins, Swabians, Spanish and French. To this day it sustains its function and dignity as a European capital and actas as a connecting ring between Europe and the mediteranean countries.

DO NOT MISS….

Piazza del Plebiscito, Palazzo Reale, Castel Nuovo…

“Piazza del Plebiscito” is a large and imposing square situated in the heart of the city. Do not miss to visit the Church of San Francesco and Paola with its magnificent Doric colonnade. On the square there is the “Palazzo Reale” (Royal Palace), an imposing building built in the Borbonic era. It was built behind a convent in a square purposely named “Largo di Palazzo” in honor of the royal residence. Today it is used in part for public offices, but on the first floor there are still the royal apartments into which one enters by the splendid “Scalone d’Onore”, the “Teatrino di Corte” and the “Giardino Pensile”, it makes up an exceptional museum which houses priceless furnishings and works of art.
“Castel Nuovo” or “Maschio Angioino”, was built in the 13th century. The precence of the castle radically changed the area behind the port. At the arrival of king Alfonso di Aragona, the grand “Arco di Trionfo” (Thriumph Arch) built in white stone, was added to adorn the entrance. The countryard is dominated by the large staircase which gives access to the “Sala dei Baroni”. The castle as we see it today is slightly changed. For example the large moat that defended the castle is now empty. Worth a visit is the S. Barbara chapel (with its medieval paintings) and the Museo Civico (City Museum).

The Cathedral…

The “Duomo”, with its gothic facade and characteristic spires, emerges in the middle of the old center of the city and it houses the relics of S. Gennaro (in particular, the phials of blood belonging to the martyr, that miraulously liquify twice a year). Inside, you can also find the Chapel of S. Restituta, one of the first built in Naples. Aside from its numerous works of art, the Duomo is also known for the archaeological finds underground. A sort of stratification of objects ranging from the Greek-Roman period to that of the Paleocristians.

San Lorenzo Maggiore and San Gregorio Ameno….

The making of “Pastori”, the small statues of the cresh, is a traditional art of Naples which can be traced back to the arrival of the Franciscan Monks at the church of S. Lorenzo. It is not by chance that the center of “Arte Pastoraia” is the area known as S. Gregorio Ameno, this name reminding us of the joining of Greek and Roman artistic traditions. And at the edge of this area we find “San Lorenzo”. Over the centuries this art has become so unimitabel, that over the christmass holidays, S. Gregorio Ameno welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors.

Castel dell’Ovo…

This Castle is a powerful presence on the “Isolotto di Megaride”, landing place of the first Greek colonials. The primitive construction of the castle dates back to the Angevin era and it is believed to have been the villa of Lucullo, the famous Roman gourmet. The building has been altered many times over the centuries, but it has been recently restored and it has reaquired its original primitive splendor and today it is an important example of the monumental architecture of Naples. From its walls and terrace, open to the public you can enjoy a magnificent view of the city. 

Naples offers thousands of interesting sites to visit. To better enjoy your visit, don’t forget a walk in Via Toledo, Via Medina and the narrow streets; a look on the blue sea strolling along Lungo Mare Caracciolo; shopping in the new neighborouth of Vomero.
If you need more info to plan your visit, contact me or one of the appropriate addresses below in order to receive also interesting illustrated free brochures. 

POPULAR TOURS FROM NAPLES

POMPEII (22 Km): An ancient roman town destroyed by the eruption of Vesuvio in 79 a.D., famous for its ruins.
It was a flourishing trade center when it was buried under a deep layer of small volcanic stones, cinders and ash after the eruption of 79 a.D.
The first excavations were begun in the 18th century and now here (as in the more elegant and wealthy Herculaneum) most of the ancient town has been uncovered. The archaeological site is one of the most famous in the world, and it offers and impressive and comprehensive view of an ancient roman town. Row upon row of imposing public buildings (the Forum, the temples, the baths, the theatres), private houses, inns and shops can be seen.
Many houses are decorated with beautiful mosaics and fine statues. The small Museum (Antiquarium) exhibits the findings of the excavations; particularly impressive are casts taken of the impressions left by bodies and ashes.

VESUVIUS (15 km): the dominating feature of the Neapolitan landscape, the volcano can be easily reached by chairlift. From the upper station (1160 mts) one can start a fascinating walk around the crater (1 hour; guide compulsory). In clear weather the views over the gulf and the islands are magnificent. It is the largest active volcano of continental Europe, and certainly among the oldest. The last eruption was over 50 years ago, but the most remembers that of 79 d.C. which destroyed Pompeii, Ercolano, Oplonti and Stabia and it was written by Plino.

POZZUOLI (15 km): the town, which was a busy port in Roman times, stands on a promontory overlooking an attractive bay in the area of volcanic hills known as Campi Flegrei (Phlegraean Fields, i.e. “burning fields”).
There are many important remains here, among which a Roman amphitheatre and the so-called Serapeum ( a large market hall), but hte highlight of the visit is the solfatara, a huge sem-extinct volcano crater where one can see and feel evidence of subterranan activity, lik the fumarole (jets of sulphurous vapour whose temperature reaches 160°C).
Seismic activity has been going on for centuries in the area in the form of bradyseismical movements, or “slow earthquakes” which have reached disastrous proportions in recent years.

SORRENTO (47 km): a famous holiday resort attractively situated amid luxuriant lemon and orange groves on a tufa cliff rising from the sea.

CASERTA (35 km): this splendid palace, in the manner of Versailles, was one of the residences of the kings of Naples. The palace was built in the 18th century by the architecti Luigi Vanvitelli for Charles III of Bourbon. The park is the great attraction: laid out by Vanvitelli, it extends over 100 hectares and offers a series of magnificent sights with its fountains, pools, waterfalls and ornamental waterworks.

CAPRI: (regular services from Naples; 1 hr 20 mins by steamer; 40 mins by hydrofoil); the splendid landscape, the luxuriant vegetation and the pleasant climate have given it a worldwide reputation as a favourite holiday resort. The picturesque little towns of Capri and Anacapri are well worth a visit, as well as the extensive ruins of Tiberius’ Villa (or Villa Iovis), the faraglioni and the celebrated Blue Grotto, a marine cave which can be reached by boat only when the sea is calm.

ISCHIA: (1 hr 30 mins by steamer; 40 mins by hydrofoil); the largest island in the gulf, it is a popular resort because of this fine beaches and mild climate. The hot mineral springs are famous for their high therapeutic value. You can take a spectacular coach tour (40 km) along the coasts road, or go by boat.

PROCIDA: (1 hr. 15 mins by steamer; 30 mins by hydrofoil): the smallest and the least known island of the archipelago, it is perhaps the prettiest because of its unimpaired beauty. Picturesque white and pink washed houses, which have been well preserved, and old winding streets, which have changed a little since the Middle Ages, can be seen in the little fishing town of Procida.

TORRE DEL GRECO (13 km): centre of the coral-carving industry; showrooms and workshops of coral handicraft.

TORRE ANNUNZIATA (22 km): bathing and thermal resort, famous also for the production of pasta.

CASTELLAMMARE DI STABIA (30 km): seaside resort and important spa.

VICO EQUENSE (40 km): seaside resort on a rocky promontory.

POSITANO (60 km): old picturesque village, on of the smartest resorts on the coast.

RAVELLO (85 km): famous resort and beauty spot in a magnificent setting. Beautiful Romanesque Cathedral of the 11th century; Rufolo Palace (11th century) in Norman-Saraceninc Style.

NOLA. Of ancient origin, it reached great splendour during Roman Empire, having walls for 5 km, 12 gates and 2 amphitheatres. In Nola Augusto died, Giordano Bruno had his origins and San Paolino developped his episcopacy, he was the creatore of bells (known as “Nolae” in Medieval age). Worth a visit: the Cathedral, the Church of S. Chiara, the Palazzo of Municipio (town hall).

ONE DAY EXCURSION TO AMALFI

Amalfi is a small town but one with a remarkable history, for in the early Middle Ages it ranked among the chief Italian ports that traded with Byzantium and the Saracen kingdom of the eastern Mediterranean. Its skills in ship-building and navigation were such that i created a maritime code (Tavole Amalfitane) which regulated all the shipping in the Mediterranean, and one of its citizens, Flavio Gioia, is said to have invended the maritime compass. Like Venice, Genoa and Pisa, little Amalfi also profited from Crusades, but it succumbed to the superior power of the Normans and the Pisans in the twelfth century.

While the zenith of its importance, Amalfi built many of the buildings which give it its present exotic appearance. Chief of these was the Duomo, dedicated to San Andrea (St. Andrew).
The Duomo is approached by a stairway leading up to a colnnaded atrium with arches of black and white stone. The façade of the church is ornamented with coloured stones (rebuilt in the original style during the nineteenth century), and the Romanesque campanile is topped by glazed tiles which add to the Duomo’s unusual combination of the European Romanesque with the Arab style of Sicily.
The interior of the cathedral was refurnished in Baroque style but the Chiostro del Paradiso (Cloister of Paradise) have retained their original Romanesque Arab architecture, enhanced by the palm trees that grow in the garden. Other interesting houses in Amalfi are the Arsenale della Repubblica on the quayside, which was a shipbuilding yard and the former Capucin monastery which today is the excellent hotel Santa Caterina.

 OUT FROM TOURISM: FRATTAMAGGIORE

As I am writing for a web site fo the town of Frattamaggiore, I want to tell you even a bit more about this Benedictine town. 
If you have already visited all the Naples area you can’t miss a short excursion tour to Frattamaggiore.
Frattamaggiore is not an important touristic site but it has many churches and buildings that are well worth a visit. Beside that Frattamaggiore has an interesting rich past and it is today seat of important festivals and traditional events.

It is situated in the Northern area of Naples province and it can be easily reached from Naples and Caserta by car or train.

People said that the town was founded in the far ‘850 by the refugees who escaped the destruction of the Roman Port of Miseno. This is because in Frattamaggiore there is a tradition in the hemp and rope handicraft that was already a lively activity in Miseno.
But I don’t want to bore you with history, I prefer to show you its beauties.

There are many churches, among them the most important is S. Sosio (X cent.) Church. It is a national monument and it houses the bodies of Saint Sosio and Severino. It has a tipycal Naples gothic construction and it has a clock tower dated 1546. The church of Santa Maria delle Grazie e Purgatorio (XV cent.) is well worth a visit as it houses many old paintings, holy statues and wood inlayed doors dated 1500. The other important churches are S. Giovanni Battista, Ss. Annunziata e S. Antonino, Immacolata Concezione and San Rocco. 

Tourists can also enjoy sport activities in Frattamaggiore at the Football stadium, the swimming pooli, the skating club, Penthatlon club, tennis and other facilities…

Don’t forget to taste its delicious dishes, the strawberries, the soups, the pizza, the “pastiera”, and many different kinds of PASTA…

If you need more information, please visit the home page of the site, where you’ll find everything you need. 

Contact info@tuttofrattamaggiore.it
 

Ask for a free brochure at PRO-LOCO Comune di Frattamaggiore- C.so Durante, 206 – 80040 Frattamaggiore (NA) – 

TOURIST INFORMATION AND ILLUSTRATED MATERIAL

NAPLES:
- UFFICIO INFORMAZIONI AA – Palazzo Reale – Tel. 081. 25.25.711
- UFFICIO INFORMAZIONI TURISTICHE – P.zza del Gesù Nuovo, 78 – Tel. 081. 55.12.701
- UFFICIO INFORMAZIONI E.P.T. – P.zza dei Martiri, 58 – Tel. 081. 40.53.11
- UFFICIO INFORMAZIONI TURISTICHE – Stazione Centrale – Tel. 081. 26.87.79

Suggested web sites: www.napolia.it
www.comune.napoli.it
www.napolimania.com
www.vomero.it
www.ciaonapoli.it
www.napoletanita.it

 POZZUOLI AREA:
- UFFICIO INFORMAZIONI AA, Via Campi Flegrei – Tel. 081. 52.62.419

Suggested web sites: www.navlib.it
www.napoligold.com
www.pozzuoli.it

THE ISLANDS:
- Procida: UFFICIO INFORMAZIONI AA – Via Roma – Tel. 081. 81.01.968
- Ischia: UFFICIO INFORMAZIONI AA – C.so Colonna 111 – Tel. 081. 50.74.211
             UFFICIO INFORMAZIONI TURISTICHE – Via Jasolino – Tel. 081. 507.4231
- Capri: UFFICIO INFORMAZIONI AA – P.tta Cerio 11 – Tel. 081. 83.70.424
        Via Padre Cimmino – Tel. 081. 83.70.424
- Anacapri: UFFICIO INFORMAZIONI TURISTICHE – Via Orlandi, 19/A – Tel. 081. 83.71.524

Suggested web sites: www.procida.it
www.caprionline.com
www.capriweb.com
www.ischiaonline.it
www.ischia.it

VESUVIAN AREA:
- Ercolano: UFFICIO INFORMAZIONI TURISTICHE – Via IV Novembre 82 – Tel. 081.78.81243
- Torre del Greco: UFFICIO INFORMAZIONI TURISTICHE – C.so V. Emanuele 208 – Tel. 081.88.146.76
- Torre Annunziata: UFFICIO INFORMAZIONI PRO LOCO – Via Sepolcri, 16 – Tel. 081. 86.23.163
- Pompei: UFFICIO INFORMAZIONI AA, Via Sacra, 1 – Tel. 081. 85.072.55

Suggested web sites: www.marketplace.it/vesuvio
www.comuneportici.connect.it
www.torredelgreco.it
www.pompeipompei.it
www.vesuviopark.it

SORRENTO AREA:
- Castellammare di Stabia: UFFICIO INFORMAZIONI AA – P.zza Matteotti, 34 – Tel. 081. 87.11.334
- Vico Equense: UFFICIO INFORMAZIONI AA – Via S. Ciro, 6 – Tel. 081. 87.98.826
- Sorrento: UFFICIO INFORMAZIONI AA – Via De Malo, 35 – Tel. 081. 800.74.033

Suggested web sites: www.castellammarestabia.it
www.stabia.net
www.esperia.it/attrazionicampania/vicoequense.htm
www.sorrentosorrento.it
www.sorrentoonweb.com

AMALFI:
UFFICIO INFORMAZIONI AA, C.so Roma 19/21 – Tel. 089.87.11.07

Suggested web sites: www.costieraamalfitana.net
www.costieraamalfitana.com