Naples is the third largest city in Italy after Rome and Milan with a population of around 1 million. Known for its magnificent seaside, famous volcano, an ancient Greek and Roman old town, underground tunnels, and strong culture, Napoli is a city to see while in Italy. I was fortunate enough to visit twice and learn a thing or two about the “New City.”
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New City. The name ‘Napoli’ originates from the Greek word “Neapolis” or “new city.” The history of Naples is richly connected to stories about the existence of foreign communities who had settled in Naples for trade and commerce.
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Amazing Underground Naples. Nearly 4 stories below the surface of present-day Napoli sits the underground tunnels covering nearly 2,000,000 meters squared. These caverns started almost 5,000 years ago and have been very useful to the residents of Naples serving as shelters, very large garbage cans, to most famously- the main water supply system. Today, the tunnels are empty besides a few props set up for visitors to examine as they explore the underground of Napoli.
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PIZZA. Did you know pizza was invented in Naples?! In 1889, A man named Raffaele Esposito invented the pizza as he prepared for a visit from Queen Margherita Teresa Giovanni herself. The Margherita Pizza was named after her and you can see the Italian Flag in the colors, basil for the green, cheese represents the white, and red the tomato sauce.
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Lively Pulcinella. If you’ve ever been to Italy or watched Italian media, you’ve likely seen a man wearing a black mask and wondered why. It is the traditional Neapolitan Pulcinella Mask, and it represents the enjoyable side of life and all of the positive feelings related to the culture. In present-day Napoli, a typical “mid mask”, also called “lupo” has a big bent nose, many wrinkles, very small eyes, and a big smile on his face. While in Napoli, you are sure to spot one or two, but be careful – some do not like their pictures taken, I learned that quickly!
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Elaborate San Gennaro Mural. Neapolitan artist Jorit Agoch created this mural that sits just a few blocks away from the San Lorenzo Maggiore Church. It is of a worker, San Gennaro, who was taken from the streets of a district of Naples. From his face, you can read so much, maybe bitterness and concern, but also looking up with pride and dignity-the true face of Naples.
The detailed San Gennaro Mural.
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San Lorenzo Maggiore Church. One of the most fascinating churches in all of Italy sits elegantly in the city of Naples. It was originally the center of Ancient Greek life and then a forum in Roman times. Underneath San Lorenzo Maggiore is the remnants of Roman Napoli. Such a beautiful and historical structure must be seen while in Naples.
Sources:
De Filippo, Chiara. “The Neapolitan Mask of Pulcinella: When and How it is Born,” Visit Naples.eu, https://www.visitnaples.eu/en/neapolitanity /discover-naples/history-of-pulcinella-the-traditional-neapolitan-mask.
DeLong, William. “Raffaele Esposito And The Origin Story Of The Margherita Pizza,” ATI, Dec. 6, 2018. https://allthatsinteresting.com/raffaele-esposito.
Heenan, Samuel. “30 Interesting Facts About Naples, Italy,” Around Rome Tours, Sept. 9, 2014. http://www.aroundrometours.com/30-interesting-facts-about-naples-italy-art40-uid1.htm.
“San Lorenzo Maggiore,” Girl From Naples, http://www.girlfromnaples.com/san-lorenzo-maggiore-church.
Nagliute, Vitalija. “Napoli Sotterranea: Relive the History Up to 40 meters Deep in the Underground” Visit Naples.eu, https://www.visitnaples.eu/en/ neapolitanity/discover-naples/naples-underground-tour-in-the-history-of-the-city-between-catacombs-and-tunnels.
the blue eyed blogger 