Piazza Immacolata, 80045 Pompei NA, Italy
Naples, a city of rich history, vibrant culture, and mouthwatering cuisine, is a gem nestled in the heart of southern Italy. From its bustling city centre to its passionate love for football legend Diego Maradona, colourful street murals, and the birthplace of pizza, Naples has something to offer every traveller. In this blog post, I will take you on a journey through the soul of Naples.
I arrived in Naples in the evening. The city centre gives a completely different outlook to the city. The centre is still kept the old way- old, a bit dirty.
But the centre offers much to explore in the morning and locals ask tourists to stay away from the centre at night. I stayed at Hostel Mancini, a ten-minute walk from Piazza Garibaldi Station (Naples central station). I would easily recommend the hostel as it’s close to the centre and affordable. Rooms are clean and receptionists are helpful. There are walking tours on the weekend by the hostel and also a small party on Friday to meet other tourists.
Naples City Center: Where History Meets Modernity
The beating heart of Naples is its historic city centre, a UNESCO World Heritage site that beautifully blends history with modern life. As you wander through its narrow, winding streets, you’ll discover centuries-old churches, bustling markets, and vibrant piazzas.
Piazza del Plebiscito
Start your exploration at Piazza del Plebiscito, one of the largest public squares in Italy. This grand open space is surrounded by architectural wonders, including the Royal Palace of Naples and the San Francesco di Paola church. Take a leisurely stroll or sip espresso at a nearby café while soaking in the city’s energy.
Spaccanapoli
Venture into the labyrinthine streets of Spaccanapoli, an ancient and narrow thoroughfare that divides the city centre. Here, you’ll find quaint shops selling traditional Neapolitan crafts, historic churches like San Gregorio Armeno, and a lively atmosphere that captures the essence of Naples.
Passion for Maradona: Football in Naples
Naples has an undying love for football, and no name is more revered than Diego Maradona’s. The legendary Argentine footballer played for SSC Napoli from 1984 to 1991 and left an indelible mark on the city.
Maradona Murals
Naples proudly displays its affection for Maradona through colorful murals scattered throughout the city. These vibrant artworks not only celebrate his incredible football skills but also his role in uniting the city during his time in Napoli. Try to find these murals in Via de Tribunali.
Duomo Napoli
The Duomo Napoli, dedicated to the city’s patron saint, San Gennaro (Saint Januarius), has a history dating back to the 13th century.
You can reach the Duomo by following the street sign Via Duomo from the city centre. It’s the parallel street to Via Tribunali.
Interior Splendor
Step inside the Duomo, and you’ll be greeted by a tranquil and spiritually charged atmosphere. The interior is adorned with breathtaking frescoes, intricate altars, and religious artefacts. Don’t forget to explore the Chapel of the Treasure of San Gennaro, which houses a stunning collection of precious objects, including silver and gold reliquaries.
The Miracle of San Gennaro
One of the most remarkable aspects of the Duomo Napoli is its connection to the miraculous liquefaction of the blood of San Gennaro. The cathedral houses a vial of the saint’s blood, and three times a year, during special ceremonies, it is said to miraculously liquefy.
The event traditionally occurs on three dates: 19 September (the saint’s feast day), 16 December and the first Saturday in May.
According to local lore, if the blood fails to liquefy, it is considered a bad omen.
After an early morning visit to the chapel, it was time to explore more of the historical city centre and grab some Sfogliatella for breakfast.
After a light breakfast, I set off for my next destination – the famous Maradona Mural.
The Marvellous Maradona Mural
One of the most iconic Maradona murals can be found in the Quartieri Spagnoli neighbourhood. The mural captures Maradona’s likeness with incredible detail, and it’s a testament to the enduring love that Naples has for the football legend. Don’t forget to snap a picture in front of this masterpiece to commemorate your visit.
The street leading to the Mural gets crowded as time passes. For a refreshment after visiting the mural, try the special Maradona drink from La Bodega de D10S.
As it was approaching noon, it was time to hit a local pizzeria 🍕 to try the authentic Neapolitan Pizza. There are many Pizzerias around every corner of the street, but I had already planned to try the pizzeria that gave Pizza to the world- Antica Pizzeria Port’Alba.So
Some of the other famous pizzerias are L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele, Gino e Toto Sorbillo, Pizzeria Brandi (birthplace of Margherita Pizza).
The Oldest Pizza Shop: Antica Pizzeria Port’Alba
Naples is the birthplace of pizza, and no visit to the city is complete without savouring an authentic Neapolitan pizza. Head to Antica Pizzeria Port’Alba first established in 1738, recognized as the world’s first pizzeria. Here, you can indulge in simple yet heavenly Margherita or Marinara pizzas, prepared with the freshest ingredients and baked to perfection in wood-fired ovens. Port’Alba’s pizza is special for another reason, too: It is cooked in a wood-fired oven lined with lava. That’s right, lava.
The shop opens at 12:00 and the shop pulls the crowd because of its historical significance. I reached around 13:30 and though I got a seat, pizza was delivered after 45 minutes because of the amount of people that were in the Pizzeria.
I was lucky to meet the MasterChef himself Gennaro Luciano who was kind enough to pose for some photos.
The next day of my tour was to the Historical sites of Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius.
Pompeii: Unearthed ancient life beneath volcanic ash
Pompeii, a name forever associated with tragedy and preservation, is a remarkable archaeological site that offers a glimpse into the daily lives of ancient Romans. Frozen in time by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79, this ancient city provides an unparalleled opportunity to step back in time and explore the past.
How to reach Pompeii from Naples
There are three different trains to Pompeii from Naples, but the easiest and the best option is taking the Circumvesuviana train which stops at Pompeii Scavi. The main entrance to the Pompeii archaeological site is 5 minutes from here. The ticket for the train is around 6 euros to and fro. Please buy the tickets for Pompeii in advance and the best time to visit is at 9:00 when the gates open in the morning to the ancient world.
The Cataclysmic Eruption
The story of Pompeii begins with the catastrophic eruption of Mount Vesuvius, one of the deadliest volcanic eruptions in history. On that fateful day in AD 79, the volcano unleashed a pyroclastic surge of superheated gas and ash, burying the nearby towns of Pompeii, Herculaneum, and Stabiae under a blanket of volcanic debris.
A Glimpse into Ancient Life
Accidentally rediscovered in the 18th century, restoration and excavation still take place to this date.
As you wander through the cobbled streets of Pompeii, you’ll encounter an astonishing array of structures, including grand villas, public baths, temples, theatres, and even a brothel. The city’s layout and architecture provide insights into Roman urban planning and daily life.
When visiting Pompeii, it’s advisable to wear comfortable shoes, as there’s a lot of walking involved. Don’t forget water bottle as the sun 🌞 can be intense.
Listing some of the archaeological sites in Pompeii
The Forum
Begin your exploration at the Forum, the heart of Pompeii’s civic life. Surrounded by impressive columns and structures, the Forum hosted political and social gatherings, much like a modern town square.
Villa of the Mysteries
One of Pompeii’s most famous villas, this site is adorned with stunning frescoes that depict mysterious rituals, believed to be related to the cult of Dionysus. The vibrant colours and intricate details offer a fascinating window into ancient Roman art and culture.
The Amphitheater
Pompeii’s amphitheatre, capable of seating 20,000 spectators, showcases the Romans’ love for entertainment. It was here that gladiator contests and other performances took place. This is considered to be one of the oldest surviving Roman amphitheatres in the world. There are two amphitheatres in Pompeii, a smaller one in the villa and the larger one where the Gladiators fought.
Pompeii continues to be a site of ongoing excavation and preservation efforts. The delicate balance between exploration and protection is a constant challenge, with experts working tirelessly to ensure the site remains accessible for generations to come.
After wandering through the cobbled streets of Pompeii, my next stop was to visit the crater of Mount Vesuvius.
Before going for the hike, indulge in restoring your energy by having some delicacies from the nearby Restaurant Corallo, which is close to the shuttle bus for Mount Vesuvius.
Tickets can be purchased from the driver and the shuttle bus takes you to the main entrance of Mount Vesuvius.
Don’t forget to buy the tickets for Mount Vesuvius online as there are no ticket sales on-site
The travel time is around 30-40 mins and you get to see the barren volcanic valley as you go up the bends.
Mount Vesuvius: A crater experience
The bus takes us 1000m and the rest 281m to the crater is the actual hike. The hike to the summit is a moderately challenging trek that typically takes about 30-40 minutes. The trail is well-maintained, and as you ascend, you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking panoramic views of the Bay of Naples and Capri Island in the distance.
The Crater Experience
Reaching the summit, you’ll stand at the edge of Vesuvius’s still-active crater, where you can peer into the depths of the volcano. The smell of sulfur hangs in the air, a constant reminder of the power that lies beneath your feet. Take in the awe-inspiring scenery and snap photos to capture this unique moment.
There are small shops selling food, refreshments and souvenirs. Please keep in mind that the beads sold at these shops are not real volcano stones.
As you stand atop the volcano that forever changed the course of history, you also get to witness the power of nature and witness the distance that was covered by the eruption 🌋. Zoom in the pic to see the Pompei’s Amphitheater marked with an arrow.
Conclusion
Whether you’re a history enthusiast, a football fan, an art lover, or a foodie, Naples promises an unforgettable experience that will leave you yearning for more.
Pompeii is more than a mere archaeological site; it’s a testament to the resilience of human history and the enduring allure of the past. Walking its ancient streets, you’ll find yourself transported to a time when Romans lived.
Don’t miss the opportunity to experience this remarkable hike that bridges the gap between past and present, and history and geology.
Naples promises an unforgettable experience that will leave you yearning for more. Come and explore this enchanting city, where tradition and modernity coexist in perfect harmony.
Useful Links
Visit Naples Official – The guide of the city of Naples
The Great Cono | Vesuvius National Park (parconazionaledelvesuvio.it)
