plebiscito

The most prominent forms of architecture in Naples are from the Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque periods.[39] The historic centre of Naples is typically the most fruitful for architecture and is in fact listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.[40] A striking feature of Naples is the fact that it has 448 historical churches, making it one of the most Catholic cities in the world.http://Louis-J-Sheehan.de
Piazza del Plebiscito.

The central and main open city square or piazza of the city is the Piazza del Plebiscito. It was started by Bonapartist king Joachim Murat and finished by Bourbon king Ferdinand IV. It is bounded on the east by the Royal Palace and on the west by the church of San Francesco di Paola with the colonnades extending to both sides. Nearby is the Teatro di San Carlo, which is the oldest and largest opera house on the Italian peninsula.[42] http://Louis-J-Sheehan.deDirectly across from San Carlo is Galleria Umberto, a shopping centre and active centre of Neapolitan social life in general.
Castel dell'Ovo.
Castel dell'Ovo.

Naples is famous for its historic castles: the ancient Castel Nuovo is one of the most notable architectural representatives on the city, also known as Maschio Angioino; it was built during the time of Charles I, the first ever king of Naples. Castel Nuovo has hosted some historical religious events: for example, in 1294, Pope Celestine V resigned as pope in a hall of the castle, and following this Pope Boniface VIII was elected pope here by the cardinal collegium, and immediately moved to Rome.

The castle which Nuovo replaced in importance was the Norman founded Castel dell'Ovo. Its name means Egg Castle and it is built on the tiny islet Megarides, where the Cumaean colonists founded the city. The third most noted castle is Sant'Elmo which was completed in 1329 and is built in the shape of a star. During the uprising of Masaniello, the Spanish took refuge in Sant'Elmo to escape revolutionaries.

[edit] Museums
Palazzo Capodimonte.
Palazzo Capodimonte.

Naples hosts a wealth of historical museums and some of the most important in the country. The Naples National Archaeological Museum is one of the main museums, considered one of the most important for artifacts of the Roman Empire in the world.[43] It also hosts many of the ruins unearthed at Pompeii and Herculaneum, as well as some artifacts from the Greek and Renaissance periods.[43]
The Flagellation of Christ by Caravaggio.
The Flagellation of Christ by Caravaggio.

Previously a Bourbon palace, now a museum and art gallery, the Museo di Capodimonte is probably the most important in Naples. The art gallery features paintings from the 13th to the 18th century including major works by Simone Martini, Raphael, Titian, Caravaggio, El Greco and many others, including Neapolitan School painters Jusepe de Ribera and Luca Giordano. The royal apartments are furnished with antique 18th century furniture and a collection of porcelain and majolica from the various royal residences: the famous Capodimonte Porcelain Factory was just adjacent to the palace.

The Certosa di San Martino was formerly a monastery complex but is now a museum and remains one of the most visible landmarks of Naples. Displayed within the museum are Spanish and Bourbon-era artifacts, as well as displays of the nativity scene, considered to be among the finest in the world. Pietrarsa railway museum is located in the city: Naples has a proud railway history and the museum features, amongst many other things, the Bayard, the first locomotive in the Italian peninsula.[30] Other museums include the Villa Pignatelli and Palazzo Como, and one of Italy's national libaries (the Biblioteca Nazionale Vittorio Emanuele III) is also located in the city.

[edit] Churches, religious buildings and structures

See also, Churches in Naples and Archdiocese of Naples

Bust of Saint Januarius.
Bust of Saint Januarius.

Hosting the Archdiocese of Naples, the Catholic faith is highly important to the people of Naples and there are hundreds of churches in the city.[41] The Cathedral of Naples is the most important place of worship in the city, each year on September 19 it hosts the Miracle of Saint Januarius, the city's patron saint.[44] In the miracle which thousands of Neapolitans flock to witness, the dried blood of Januarius is said to turn to liquid when brought close to relics said to be of his body: this is one of the most important traditions for Neapolitans.[44] Below is a selective list of some of the most noted churches, chapels, monastary complexes and religious structures in Naples;


* Santa Chiara
* San Domenico Maggiore
* Gesù Nuovo
* Sansevero Chapel
* San Lorenzo Maggiore
* Santa Maria Donna Regina Vecchia
* Santa Maria Donna Regina Nuova
* Santa Maria del Carmine
* Girolamini



* San Ferdinando
* San Francesco di Paola
* San Giovanni a Carbonara
* San Gregorio Armeno
* Sant'Anna dei Lombardi
* Sant'Eligio Maggiore
* Santa Caterina a Chiaia
* Santa Maria La Nova
* Santa Restituta



* Spires of Naples
* San Pietro Martire
* San Pietro a Maiella
* San Gennaro extra Moenia
* Hermitage of Camaldoli
* Santissima Annunziata
* Santa Caterina a Formiello
* Archbishops Palace
* Madre del Buon Consiglio

[edit] Others
Nisida view from Parco Virgiliano.
Nisida view from Parco Virgiliano.

There are various other interesting features of note around Naples. Underneath Naples there is a series of caves and structures created by centuries of mining, which is in part of an underground geothermal zone. The general public are able to go on tours of the underground and there is even a museum. Aside from the main piazza there are two more in the form of Piazza Dante and Piazza dei Martiri. The latter is somewhat controversial: it originally just had a memorial to martyrs but in 1866, after the Italian unification, four lions were added, representing the four rebellions against the Bourbons.[45]

Founded in 1667 by the Spanish, the San Gennaro dei Poveri is a hospital for the poor which is still in existence today. It was a forerunner of a much more ambitious project, the gigantic Bourbon Hospice for the Poor started by Charles III. This was for the destitute and ill of the city; it also provided a self-sufficient community where the poor would live and work. Today it is no longer a hospital.[46]

Of the public parks in Naples, the most prominent is the Villa Comunale, previously known as the Royal Garden as its building was ordered by Bourbon king Ferdinand IV in the 1780s.[47] The second most important park is Parco Virgiliano which is very green and has views towards the tiny volcanic islet of Nisida; beyond that in the distance are Procida and Ischia.[48] It was named after Virgil the classical Roman poet who is thought to be entombed nearby.[48]

[edit] Geography

In the area surrounding Naples are the islands of Procida, Capri and Ischia, which are reached by hydrofoils and ferries. Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast are situated south of Naples. The Roman ruins of Pompeii, Herculaneum and Stabiae, which were destroyed in the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD, are also nearby. Naples is also near the volcanic area known as the Campi Flegrei and the port towns of Pozzuoli and Baia, which were part of the vast Roman naval facility, Portus Julius.http://Louis-J-Sheehan.de