📖 Introduction

Naples, located in the south of the Apennine Peninsula, is the capital of the autonomous region of Campania, stretching at the foot of an ever-active volcano. The city is shrouded in dark legends and stories that, when reaching the public eye, often paint an unfair picture. That’s why we encourage you not to rely on second-hand opinions but to form your own impression of Naples—through its history, architecture, landscapes, and extraordinary people.

The city is ancient—founded by the Greeks, taken over by the Romans, and later repeatedly conquered, developed, and plundered by competing French and Spanish dynasties.

Within its walls, the same people remain—Neapolitans. Left to fend for themselves through changing rulers, leadership chaos, poverty, and corruption. In such conditions, self-proclaimed criminal organizations, most notably the fearsome Camorra, thrived with little resistance. They deepened social divides—plunging some into poverty and forcing them to leave their homeland, while elevating others beyond measure.

And yet, Neapolitans carry their city in their hearts. They are proud of it, relentless in their fight for its future, and many succeed in making a difference. Naples is evolving, opening up, and growing, drawing in visitors and rewarding their curiosity many times over.

Today, Naples is one of Europe’s greatest living museums—its historic old town, Centro Storico, is a UNESCO World Heritage site. In its vibrant center, life continues as it has for centuries. Tiny, low-ceilinged homes known as bassi, often windowless, still stand. Their doors are frequently left wide open, offering a discreet glimpse into the daily lives of their residents. And on nearly every street, laundry flutters above, as if time has stood still for a hundred years—or perhaps even longer.

Then there are the churches—some bustling with life, others immersed in silence, almost abandoned, and still others closed, whether for a few hours or permanently. Some have been transformed into museums, requiring an entry ticket, while others serve as community centers, gathering places for locals, or exhibition galleries.

When visiting Naples, you must keep an open mind and not be confined by stereotypes. This is not a city of trash—there are plenty of waste bins, and people do not simply throw garbage anywhere. Nor is it a city where tourists are robbed at every corner by reckless motorcyclists. Visitors should be as cautious here as in any other city. Yes, there are countless motorcycles—it’s the easiest way to navigate the narrow, winding streets—but the main concern is personal safety, making sure not to collide with them.

The historic center is largely open to traffic, and due to the dense urban fabric, the streets are often tight and dimly lit. Yet, this is precisely what draws people in—walking through streets seemingly frozen in time, yet bursting with life. They are vibrant, adorned with Nativity scenes year-round, swirling red horns as lucky charms, hundreds of heart-shaped tokens with well-wishes, countless figurines of Diego Maradona, and numerous street-side shrines.

The city is loud because Italians are loud—naturally expressive, and that’s exactly why we love them. Car horns are a constant background noise on the streets—it’s their way of communicating. Drivers honk to signal their presence around blind corners, to help someone merge safely into traffic, or simply when a bus driver greets a colleague passing in the opposite direction.

Naples is a city of contrasts. At first glance, it may seem chaotic, cramped, and covered in graffiti. But look closer, and the murals become a form of art—one to which even Banksy has contributed. Modest, barred churches hide breathtaking interiors, rich in grandeur and intricate detail. Former monastery cloisters offer peaceful retreats, soothing visitors with silence and mesmerizing them with majolica-tiled decorations.

Open yourself to this city. Don’t compare it to any other. Give yourself the privilege of experiencing it through your own senses and building an image of Naples based on the solid foundations on which it was born. We invite you to explore its history—doing so will make it easier for you to create your own, authentic impression of this extraordinary place.

The Beginnings of Settlement and Greek Neapolis

The earliest traces of settlement in the Naples area date back to the Paleolithic era. The main urban center, known as the “New City”—Neapolis—was established in 474 BCE. This name distinguished it from the nearby Palepolis (Old City). At the time, the entire region was the most powerful Greek colony in Italy and a thriving political and economic hub, centered around the city of Cumae. Neapolis’ alliance with Athens fueled its rapid development and played a crucial role in shaping the city’s urban layout and social organization.

Naples in Roman Times

In 327 BCE, seeking protection against the Samnites, the Greeks formed an alliance with the Romans. In return, Rome granted the city broad autonomy, allowing it to preserve its language, religion, and traditions. As a reward for its loyalty, Naples was elevated to the status of a municipium in 90 BCE.

During the late Republic, the city became an important center of Greek culture, attracting many wealthy and influential Romans who settled in the area. Over the following years, emperors and literary figures, including Cicero and Virgil, built their residences, villas, and palaces along the coast.

Around 7 CE, during the reign of Emperor Augustus, Italy was divided into eleven regions. The first of these was Latium et Campania, stretching from the Sele River in the south to the Tiber in the north, with Naples as the most significant city in Campania.

The Eruption of Vesuvius (79 CE)

The most significant event of the 1st century, one that continues to shape the history of the region, was the massive eruption of Mount Vesuvius on August 24, 79 CE. The disaster devastated the entire coastal area from Naples to Stabiae, burying numerous settlements under thick layers of ash and lava, in some places several meters deep.

The largest city affected by the catastrophe was Pompeii, covering an area of 66 hectares. It is estimated that as many as 20,000 people may have perished during the three-day eruption. Naples, however, remained largely untouched and continued to thrive both economically and culturally.

The Beginnings of Christianity and Persecution

As in 🔗 Rome, the early centuries CE in Naples were marked by the persecution of Christians, reaching its peak under Emperor Diocletian (284–305). Around 305 CE, Januarius (San Gennaro), the Bishop of Benevento, was executed in Pozzuoli. He later became the principal patron saint of Naples.

According to legend, he was sentenced to be devoured by lions in the amphitheater, but instead of attacking him, the animals knelt before him. In response, the governor of Campania ordered his beheading. In the 5th century, the saint’s relics were transferred to Naples and laid to rest in the catacombs that now bear his name. To this day, a vial containing his blood is preserved, and three times a year, it miraculously liquefies—one of the city’s most significant religious events.

The Fall of the Empire and Barbarian Invasions

By the late 5th century, barbarian invasions struck both Rome and, soon after, Naples. According to historical accounts, the last emperor of the Western Roman Empire, Romulus Augustulus, died in exile in Naples around 511 CE.

In the 6th century, the city was repeatedly conquered and plundered by both the Byzantines and the Goths. In the second half of the 7th century, Byzantine Emperor Constans II granted rule over Naples to Duke Basil (661–666). Over the following years, the Duchy of Naples gradually sought independence from Constantinople, which it ultimately achieved in the 9th century under Duke Gregory III (864–870).

During this turbulent period, the region also faced repeated raids by Arab forces.

The Normans and the Angevins

At the turn of the 10th and 11th centuries, Naples lost its dominant position to Amalfi. Around this time, the Normans began arriving, initially as pilgrims returning from the Holy Land. Over time, thanks to their military prowess, they seized power, and in 1139, Naples was incorporated into the Kingdom of Sicily by Roger II.

By the late 13th century, the Angevin dynasty had taken control. In 1282, during the Sicilian Vespers uprising, Naples lost its hold over Sicily to the rulers of Aragon. The struggle for the throne continued for decades until 1442, when Alfonso I of Aragon conquered Naples. He went down in history as one of the city’s greatest rulers, earning the title Magnanimous for his wisdom and generosity.

Spanish Rule and the Bourbons

In the 16th century, Naples came under Spanish rule, and a system of viceroys was established. The most notable among them was Don Pedro de Toledo, who, in 1534, initiated a major urban redevelopment. His projects included the creation of the broad Via Toledo and the Quartieri Spagnoli (Spanish Quarter).

By the late 17th century, the city faced numerous crises, including a devastating plague and economic decline. In the 18th century, following the War of Spanish Succession, Naples fell under Austrian control, only to return to Bourbon rule shortly thereafter.

The French Revolution and the Napoleonic Era

By the late 18th century, Naples was influenced by the French Revolution. In 1806, Joseph Bonaparte took power, followed by Joachim Murat. After Napoleon’s downfall, Naples was merged with Sicily to form the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies.

The Unification of Italy (1860)

Throughout the 19th century, Naples was a center of uprisings and revolutions. The last Bourbon king, Francis II, was dethroned in 1860 after a plebiscite, leading to Naples’ annexation into the Kingdom of Italy, marking the end of its era as an independent state.