Naples, Italy

Plebiscite Square

Piazza del Plebiscito is the heart of Naples-its past, present, and, most likely, its future. Piazza del Plebiscito got its name in honor of the referendum of October 2, 1860, as a result of which the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies became part of unified Italy. A favorite local pastime is to offer tourists a challenge: walk between two equestrian statues of Charles III and Ferdinand IV with your eyes covered. The task seems simple. Yet few manage it. The secret to its difficulty lies in the slight slope of the square, which makes the distance hard to cover for unprepared visitors. Various events take place here-from the music festival “Festivalbar” to concerts by well-known artists and contemporary art installations.

Castel Nuovo Castle

Castel Nuovo Castle (the Angevin castle) was built as a residence for the king of the Two Sicilies, Charles I of Anjou, after the capital was moved from Palermo to Naples. The imposing castle, designed by architect Pierre de Choli, was built over 3 years. Castel Nuovo, like most castles, had a difficult fate: over the centuries, it was besieged, looted, and attempts were made to destroy it. But it held its ground and remained unharmed even after a terrible earthquake that destroyed almost the entire city. In the 19th century, after restoration work, Castel Nuovo became an artillery arsenal. Today, a Municipal Museum operates on the castle grounds, where you can trace the glorious history of Naples, from deep antiquity to modern times, and where exhibitions are also held.

Castel dell’Ovo Castle

Castel dell’Ovo Castle (translated from Italian as “castle-egg”) got its name thanks to its unusual shape. However, there is an even more interesting version of how the name originated. According to it, the great poet Virgil buried an egg on the site of the castle and said that once it cracked, Castel dell’Ovo would fall. In the 12th century AD, the Normans settled here. They built Castel dell’Ovo. The location was ideal for keeping watch over the bay and sheltering behind thick fortress walls in case of danger. There are many viewing platforms on the castle grounds offering excellent views of the bay. The castle also has an aquarium with 30 pools, where dozens of inhabitants of the underwater world live.

Pio Monte della Misericordia

The Neapolitan church of Pio Monte della Misericordia gained worldwide fame thanks to the immortal work of the great Caravaggio - the altarpiece depicting the Seven Works of Mercy. The painting was created to commission by the charitable society Pio Monte della Misericordia, which, right at the beginning of the 17th century, set out to build a church celebrating the noble deeds of humankind (including this foundation). First, a modest church was built. Then it was expanded by adding 7 chapels - in honor of the six Gospel commandments, to which they added one more - the burial of the dead. Later, the society purchased the nearby buildings and incorporated them into the church. This is how an entire complex was formed.

Mount Vesuvius

The famous Mount Vesuvius, located at an elevation of 1281 meters, is one of Italy’s three active volcanoes. And it is the most dangerous one-over 80 eruptions have occurred in its lifetime! As a result of the most well-known eruption in August 79 AD, several towns at its foot were buried under a layer of lava and ash, including the legendary Pompeii and Herculaneum. Today, this volcano is one of the most popular attractions in the Naples area. For many years, a funicular helped tourists, but the most recent eruption damaged it so badly that the cable car could not be restored. Now, to conquer Vesuvius, visitors have to climb the last 1000 meters on foot.

National Archaeological Museum

The Museum of Naples is famous for its rich collection of Greek and Roman artifacts, among which-several global hits. This is the colossal Hercules from the Farnese collection, the Aphrodite Kallipygos, the utterly astonishing alabaster Artemisia Ephesus Polymastos (The Many-Breasted), and the unbelievable-sized Farnese Bull- the largest sculptural composition from the ancient period to have survived to our day. There are even traces of the existence of the ancient “sex industry” here: the Secret Cabinet displays erotic items discovered during excavations in those very Pompeii and Herculaneum. The museum’s second floor is devoted mainly to frescoes and interiors from the cities of Pompeii, Stabiae, and Herculaneum, destroyed by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius.

Capodimonte Royal Palace

The Royal Palace of Capodimonte is located within the large, namesake park: slender eucalyptus trees, enticing aromas of lemon trees, spacious meadows and clearings, and blooming magnolias-spring and summer here are wonderful and not too hot. The Royal Palace itself was built in the 18th century for Charles III of the Spanish Bourbon dynasty. Capodimonte houses paintings by famous European masters: Bellini, Botticelli, Caravaggio, Titian, Goya, Van Dyck, and many others. Experts consider this collection to be one of the best in Italy. For the most energetic visitors, a modern art gallery is open on the third floor. It’s worth visiting at least for the famous work by American artist Andy Warhol, “Mount Vesuvius.” The artist captured it at the moment of an eruption.

Monte Nuovo

Not every day a new mountain literally grows out of the ground. But that is exactly what happened with Monte Nuovo, which appeared literally from nowhere in 1538. True, this event was preceded by extraordinary seismic activity in a region that is, from this point of view, anything but calm. And yet local residents were quite astonished when the land between Lake Averno, Mount Barbaro, and the sea began to rise rapidly. At 8 p.m. on September 29, 1538, a crack appeared in the earth, from which a mixture of fire and smoke emerged for 6 days. That is how the 134-meter Monte Nuovo mountain was born. Today, it is a favorite leisure spot for locals and tourists. Here you can have a romantic picnic, admire sea vistas, and enjoy a magnificent Neapolitan sunset.

Naples Botanical Garden

The Botanical Garden of Naples is a green oasis of nature and the real lungs of a large city. Which, to be fair, doesn’t have as much greenery as one would like. That’s why it’s so important to visit here. What’s more, it’s a wonderful place to relax away from sightseeing the city’s attractions. The Botanical Garden of Naples was founded in the early 19th century by Joachim Murat, a relative of Napoleon Bonaparte, who held the title of King of Naples. But for many years now, the garden has belonged to the University of Naples. Spanning 12 hectares, it is home to more than 30,000 plants, flowers, and trees from North and South America, Africa, Asia, and Australia-in other words, from all climate zones of the world. And in the garden, you can also see astonishing ferns and an entire citrus grove.

Kyaia Street

Via Chiaia is one of the best-known pedestrian streets in Naples, connecting Piazza Trieste e Trento with Piazza dei Martiri. After wandering through the upscale shops, of which there are plenty here, you absolutely must stop at the terrace of one of the street cafés-sip excellent local coffee with a traditional dessert and idly watch passersby. And once you’ve rested, walk to the house at number 149, known as Palazzo Cellamare. This is exactly where the Bourbon kings hosted distinguished guests. Among them were the legendary ladies’ man Casanova and the great German poet Goethe. Also, at Palazzo Cellamare, the great artist Caravaggio spent his last night in Naples before setting off to ask the highest forgiveness from the Pope.

Historic Center of Naples

During the excursion, you will see the Piazza del Municipio, the square and the church of Gesù Nuovo (16th-century Jesuit church), built by the Angevin kings between 1584 and 1601. The church was given the name “new” in order to distinguish it from the old Jesuit church. The Immaculate Virgin’s Spire is a majestic Baroque monument, erected in the 18th century according to a design by Giuseppe Genuino using funds raised from the townspeople. Spaccanapoli is the ancient decumanus of Naples (the ancient Greek street). The Basilica and Monastery of Saint Clare, the square and the obelisk of San Domenico Maggiore (late 13th century), the square and the church of Sant’Angelo a Nilo, the statue of the Egyptian god of the Nile (the “body” of Naples), the street and the Armenian church of San Gregorio Armeno (Saint Gregory the Armenian), the Cathedral of Saint Januarius, patron of Naples and of the whole Campania region, and much more.

Naples and Pompeii. Shore Excursion on a Cruise

A stroll through the excavations of the world-famous city of Pompeii with a view of Mount Vesuvius and the Amalfi Coast. A sightseeing tour of Italy’s third-largest, most contrasting and wild-hearted city.

You can find out more about the excursions and their prices after booking your cruise in your “Client Personal Account”.