Table of Contents
ANCIENT ARCHITECTURE.
OLD ARCHITECTURE.
NAPLES’ NEIGHBORHOODS.
Naples is one of Italy’s oldest cities. It dates back to a Greek colony from 326 BC.
Its location on the Bay of Naples is a blessing. On a clear day, rise and see Sorrento across the bay and the volcano Vesuvius.
Not only is there so much to see and do in the city, but the surrounding countryside offers its treasures.
You need to spend some time and see Naples.
Ancient Architecture.
Surprisingly, Naples has very little to show from its ancient history. Well, in the city limits at least.
It’s not so much that ancient sites don’t exist. They do. But how they rate in comparison to other must-see places in the Naples area.
Another critical point, the majority of ancient sites are west and north of Naples. In contrast, the big two, Pompeii and Herculaneum, are to the south.
Consequently, as they are not on a major tourist route (to Amalfi or Pompeii), most travelers never see them. For that matter, they never hear about them either.
Undoubtedly ancient architecture buffs will want to see Naples other old offerings.
See Naples’ Pozzuoli area.
A short 30-minute drive from the historic center of Naples going west is the Pozzuoli area.
Macellum of Pozzuoli. (Click on the British flag under “photo” on the website)
The ruins are of a Roman market dating from the First Century AD. Because of urban sprawl, not much remains. (Uncovered).
Anfiteatro Flavio e Tempio di Serapide (website in Italian only).
A 10-minute walk from the market is Flavian Amphitheater. It is the third-largest in Italy and is older than Rome’s.
It was entertainment for the people. As a result, its seating capacity was 50,000 spectators. Parts of the old equipment are still visible underneath.
Baia.
Likewise, the next town west of Pozzuoli, Baia, has intriguing ruins. Dating from 100 BC., it is the fashionable resort area surpassing even Herculaneum.
Due to a nearby volcano, silting of the harbor, and earthquakes, it falls from favor.
On the positive side, many ruins did not have new construction erasing them.
Complesso Archeologico delle Terme di Baia. In general, it starts as a public bathhouse. Next, a neighborhood builds up around it. For this reason, the current site has the ruins of other buildings, villas, and two temples.
Unlike Pompeii, it is usually empty, and you can explore more areas. Such as one of the most popular highlights, the Baths of Mercury. This site is an indoor pool area with a cement dome complete with skylights.
Archaeological Museum of Campi Flegrei In the Castello Aragonese. In other words, it is a museum in the Aragon Castle overlooking the bay. It is a 5-minutes drive from the Baia complex. It has treasures from several surrounding sites.
Parco archeologico sommerso di Baia. Sommerso means to submerge, and that is what this archeological park is. Due to many earthquakes, part of Baia now sits underwater between 10 and 40 feet.
Glass bottom boat companies seem to come and go. However, there are SCUBA companies in the area that lead dives to the sites.
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Bacoli.
Similarly, just a few more miles along the coast is Bacoli. Today it is a sleepy fishing village. But in ancient times, it was part of the larger Portus Julius.
Specifically, it is the home port of the Roman Western Imperial Fleet.
Piscina Mirabilis. This site is one of ancient Italy’s most enormous freshwater cisterns. Its purpose, to supply Portus Julius with drinking water.
Moreover, the supply of water came from the Aqua Augusta, one of the most massive and most complex of the Roman aqueduct systems.
While visits to parts of the cistern are possible, making prior arrangements is necessary.
The Amphitheatre of Capua (Website in Italian Only).
A 20-minute drive from the Royal Palace of Caserta, see the ruins of the second largest amphitheater in Italy. It is the largest until they build one in Rome.
Also, this is the location of the first and most famous gladiator school, although Spartacus was not a fan of it. The site and a gladiator museum offer tours.
See Naples Old Architecture.
- San Francesco di Paola
- The Galleria Umberto I.
Neighborhoods
Chiaia
Just west of the Piazza Plebiscito is one of Naples’ more affluent areas. It stretches from the harbor to the hillside.
In the daytime, the action revolves around the bayfront streets and parks. At night things slow down. Notably, an evening stroll along the Via Chiaia will take you past cafes, gelato shops, and high-end boutiques.
Quartieri Spagnoli
In general, it is north of the Piazza Plebiscito. Then look between Via Toledo on the east and the San Martino hill on the west.
This setting is a scene right out of an old movie. Mothers hang from windows talking to other mothers and keeping an eye on their kids. Deliveries arrive in a basket hanging from a rope while laundry flutters in the wind. All of this is Neapolitan life.
Vomero
Keep in mind, getting there is half the fun. You access this hilltop middle-class neighborhood on the Montesanto underground funicular.
Indeed offering some of the best views over Naples, it is also home to Castel Sant’Elmo. This medieval fortress sits right on top of the hill. Directly below it is Certosa San Martino, a Monastery with an art museum.
Naples’ UNESCO World Heritage Sites.