Naples – North Naples

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The Third Muncipality of Naples is just north of Centro Storico, and includes the neighborhoods of Stella and San Carlo all’Arena. Here are the popular Rione Sanità and the hill of Capodimonte, with its large park. These neighborhoods are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the historic center of Naples. Further north are less developed districts at the outskirts of the city, part of the Seventh and Eighth Municipality.

✪ National Archaeological Museum of Naples

The National Archaeological Museum of Naples (Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Napoli) houses one of the greatest collections of ancient Greek and Roman artworks in the world. This huge and historic museum hosts the rich Farnese Collection (Collezione Farnese), which includes several ancient statues, and the Secret Cabinet (Gabinetto Segreto), a collection of Roman erotic art. The museum also houses numerous archaeological finds from Pompeii, Herculaneum, and other sites near Naples. Among these are several mosaics, including the Battle of Issus (Battaglia di Isso), dating from around 100 BCE and featuring the most famous depiction of Alexander the Great. Also hosted in this museum are thousands of Egyptian artifacts, one of the largest collections of its kind in Italy. Underneath the museum, the metro station houses a section of the museum called Stazione Neapolis, which hosts several archaeological finds unearthed when the metro was built.

✪ Royal Palace of Capodimonte

The Royal Palace of Capodimonte (Reggia di Capodimonte) is a large palace located on top of the Capodimonte hill north of the center of Naples. The palace was built between the 18th and 19th century as a hunting lodge and summer residence of the Bourbon family, and now serves as a museum. Inside the palace are numerous halls richly adorned with lavish Baroque decorations, as well as several elaborate frescoes and artworks. Here is the National Museum of Capodimonte (Museo Nazionale di Capodimonte), a huge art gallery and one of the richest museums in Italy. Its collection includes works dating between the 13th century and today, with paintings by artists such as Raphael, Botticelli, Titian, Caravaggio, Vasari, Masaccio, Lotto, El Greco, and many others. The museum also houses numerous sculptures and other artworks, most notably a large collection of porcelains. The Porcelain Boudoir of Maria Amalia of Saxony (Salottino di Porcellana di Maria Amalia di Sassonia) inside the palace is a room entirely decorated with elaborate rococo decorations and porcelains. Behind the palace is the huge Capodimonte Park (Parco di Capodimonte), which covers most of the hill of Capodimonte and features various statues, fountains, and other decorations.

✪ Catacombs of San Gennaro

The Catacombs of San Gennaro (Catacombe di San Gennaro) are a huge complex of underground Paleochristian burials dating as far back as the 2nd century. This is the largest among the ancient cemeteries of Naples, and it is located on the Capodimonte hill. The catacombs include several tombs large and small, some of which are decorated with ancient frescoes and mosaics. Here are also the tombs of numerous early bishops of Naples, and the oldest known depiction of San Gennaro, dating from the 5th century. Next to the entrance to the catacombs is the Basilica of Incoronata Madre del Buon Consiglio, a large church built in Baroque Revival style during the 20th century.

Botanical Garden of Naples

The Botanical Garden of Naples (Orto Botanico di Napoli) was founded in 1807 and it is now managed by the University of Naples Federico II. The garden houses thousands of different plant species and features a museum dedicated to paleobotany and ethnobotany. The garden is adjacent to the Real Albergo dei Poveri, a former hospital and a monumental building erected between the 18th and 19th century.

Basilica of Santa Maria della Sanità

The Basilica of Santa Maria della Sanità is a historic church in the Sanità neighborhood of Naples, built in Baroque style during the 17th century. The church houses various artworks and rich Baroque ornaments, and includes a decorated cloister. However, the main attraction is the Paleochristian burial site known as Catacombs of Saint Gaudiosus (Catacombe di San Gaudioso). The complex includes numerous tombs, including the burial site of Saint Gaudiosus, dating from the 5th century. One peculiar feature is that for many burials, the skull was positioned in an opening on the wall, while the rest of the body was painted.

Basilica of San Gennaro Fuori le Mura

The Basilica of San Gennaro Fuori le Mura is an ancient church in Naples located near the Catacombs of San Gennaro. Originally a Paleochristian basilica erected in the 4th century, the church was reworked in the Late Middle Ages and later adorned with Baroque decorations. The adjacent monastery was turned into a hospital in the 15th century.

Astronomical Observatory of Capodimonte

The Astronomical Observatory of Capodimonte (Osservatorio Astronomico di Capodimonte) is a historic astronomical observatory located on the Capodimonte hill in Naples. Originally established in 1807 in the city center, the new observatory was then moved here, and was inaugurated in 1819. The observatory now works on several research projects on solar physics, planetary science, and much more. Here is also a museum of astronomical instruments and a rich library.