NAPLES
Naples is a city rich in history and art from every era, placed in a natural humanized environment, that of the Bay dominated by Vesuvious, rich of the most famous archaeological treasures of the world. A Greek colony in the 5th century and in the 6th century flourishing during the Roman empire both as a port and as national holiday resort. The quarters of the old city maintain their Greek-Roman net-shape almost intact with eventual baroque and medieval buildings In the Dark Ages Naples was a dukedom dependent from Bisanzio; in 1139 it became part of the Norman Kingdom later of the Swabian kingdom. In 1266 the Angevins made it their capital. From 1441, with the Aragons which reigned from the Palace of Castel Nuovo, began the renaissance period of Naples. In 1503 the Kingdom of Naples felt under the power of Spain. The city spread with typical intertwined streets toward the hills. It returned to being the capital in 1734 under the Bourbons and remained so, except for the brief Napoleonic period (1806-1815), until 1860 with the unification of Italy. As well as the 13th and 14th centuries producing noteworthy artistic treasures, the 17th and 18th centuries were perhaps the most prolific in terms of baroque architecture, music and art, too.
Monuments: Maschio Angioino founded in the 13th century was rebuilt by Catalan and Tuscan artists. Castel dell’Ovo: used in the 12th century as a prison. The 12th century Catacombs of San Gennaro, patron Saint of Naples, decorated with Christian paintings from an early epoch. The 13th century Certosa of San Martino with its exuberant Neapolitan baroque style. Villa Comunale: public gardens 18th century featuring an Aquarium and zoo.
Museums: The Coral Museum (Torre del Greco) The National Archaelogical Museum containing materials from the Vesuvian excavation sites, as well as works in marble and bronze. The Museum of Carriages containing Italian, English and French carriages 18th-19th century. The Anthropology Museum. The Geology Museum. The Astronomical Observatory.
Tourist information: You can find the Faunal Park, in the small village of Agnano, with a large wood full of wild animals in their natural habitat. Carnivorous plant: on the Faito mountain there is the Pinguicola, the only kind of carnivorous plant which we have in the whole Italy. As the ground where it lives is poor with nitrogen, it has to eat insects to gain this substance. Gastronomy: calzone napoletano, pizze, tortano cu’e cicule, zeppole, susamielli, babà, braciolone alla napoletana, polpi affogati. Wines: wines from Ravello, white and red Irno wines,Gragnano, Vesuvius, Rosso di Procida Handcrafts: the working of the mother-of-pearl, coral and cameo, objects made in straw and raffia, inlaid wood, embroidery of linen and laces.
