Phlegraean Fields and Northern Suburbs of Naples

<< Campania

The Phlegraean Fields is a vast volcanic area located west of Naples. This region features various volcanic craters and it is still active, despite the last eruption happening in 1538. The Phlegraean Fields also feature several archaeological sites and historic landmarks, most notably in Pozzuoli, Cuma, and Bacoli. Instead, north of Naples are several populous and mostly residential suburbs, a few of which also host some attractions.

Pozzuoli

Pozzuoli is a city located just east of Naples, in the area of the Phlegraean Fields and facing the Gulf of Naples. Founded as a Greek colony in the 6th century BCE, it was a strategic port under the Romans, becoming one of the most important naval bases in the Mediterranean. The city’s importance later declined, and it was plundered various times during the Middle Ages. The town now features several archaeological ruins and historic sites, and it is a tourist destination.

✪ Flavian Amphitheater

The Flavian Amphitheater (Anfiteatro Flavio) is a large Roman amphitheater in Pozzuoli. This is one of the largest Roman amphitheaters ever built, erected toward the end of the 1st century. Later abandoned and partly demolished, it was excavated starting in the 19th century. The building features a large elliptical structure and a mostly intact interior. Nearby are the ruins of another similar but smaller and older structure known as Minor Amphitheater (Anfiteatro Minore).

✪ Macellum of Pozzuoli

Also known as: Temple of Serapis (Tempio di Serapide)

The Macellum of Pozzuoli is an archaeological area in Pozzuoli, which includes the ancient market of the Roman city. The area was excavated in the 18th century and was initially regarded as a temple dedicated to Serapis, because of a statue of this Egyptian god found here. The site was built around the 1st and 2nd century, and features a large courtyard with a circular building at the center. Because of bradyseism in the Phlegraean Fields, the site once became partly submerged under the sea, but later reemerged.

✪ Solfatara of Pozzuoli

The Solfatara of Pozzuoli is a volcano located among the Phlegraean Fields north of Pozzuoli. It was described by the Romans as the residence of the god of fire Vulcan, and it has been known since ancient times for its vapors. Formed 4000 years ago, the volcano erupted for the last time in 1198, and it is now dormant. The crater of the volcano features several fumaroles and mud pools.

✪ Archaeological Park of Cumae

Cumae was a town located near the shores of the Tyrrhenian Sea west of the Phlegraean Fields. It was founded in the 8th century BCE by Greek colonists, and later became one of the most important centers in the region. A major city under the Romans, it prospered for centuries, but it declined in the Early Middle Ages after being plundered several times. The city became the stronghold of local bandits and pirates, and was destroyed by forces from Naples in 1207. Now the archaeological area of Cumae is a major tourist attraction with various landmarks, including several temples, an amphitheater, and numerous other ancient structures. One of the temples here was dedicated to Apollo, and hosted the famous priestess known as the Cumaean Sibyl. An artificial cave called Cave of the Sibyl (Antro della Sibilla) is thought to be the place from which the sibyl operated. Another artificial gallery, known as Grotta di Cocceio, connected Cumae with Lake Avernus.

Pozzuoli Cathedral

Also known as: Basilica of San Procolo Martire

The Pozzuoli Cathedral (Duomo di Pozzuoli) is the main church of Pozzuoli, located in the middle of the old town, an area known as Rione Terra. This was once the site of a Roman temple, later reworked into a church. Despite being reworked several times, some sections of the ancient temple can be still seen to this day, after some restoration works. The church also houses various artworks and decorations.

Monte Nuovo

Monte Nuovo (“New Mountain”) is a volcanic cone located among the Phlegraean Fields west of Pozzuoli. The cone was formed suddenly during a volcanic eruption in 1538, and this was the first eruption in modern times to be described by numerous witnesses. The volcano is now covered by a dense vegetation and forms a nature reserve. A great view on the Phlegraean Fields and the Gulf of Naples can be enjoyed from the top of the cone.

Lucrine Lake

The Lucrine Lake (Lago di Lucrino) is a small lake located just south of Monte Nuovo and separated from the sea by a narrow strip of land. In Roman times, it hosted fish and oyster farms, and also several villas and a port. During the Middle Ages, a village called Tripergole was built here, but the eruption of Monte Nuovo in 1538 destroyed the town and made the lake smaller.

Lake Avernus

Lake Avernus (Lago d’Averno) is a volcanic crater lake just west of Monte Nuovo, among the Phlegraean Fields. The Romans considered the lake as the entrance to the Underworld. In 37 BCE Roman general Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa converted the lake into a naval base, connecting it to the Lucrine Lake and the sea. The lake is now a tourist destination, and houses the ruins of a Roman temple along its shores.

Bacoli

Bacoli is a town located at the southwestern end of the Phlegraean Fields. It features several archaeological sites, historic attractions, and two lakes. Here is also the small seaside resort of Miseno, next to the rocky Cape Miseno, which marks the northwestern limit of the Gulf of Naples.

✪ Archaeological Park of Baiae

Baiae was an ancient Roman town located on the Gulf of Naples, north of modern-day Bacoli. This was once one of the most popular resorts for wealthy Romans, and it hosted several luxurious villas. The town was abandoned in the Middle Ages after being sacked various times. The archaeological area of Baiae includes the ruins of various temples, villas, and thermal baths. The lower part of Baiae became submerged under the sea due to bradyseism, and some of the archaeological ruins are now located underwater, as part of the Submerged Park of Baiae (Parco Sommerso di Baia).

✪ Aragonese Castle of Baia

The Aragonese Castle of Baia is a castle erected on a rock overlooking the sea, next to the port of Baia. The castle was built between the 15th and 16th century, and now houses the Archaeological Museum of the Phlegraean Fields (Museo Archeologico dei Campi Flegrei). This museum hosts several archaeological findings unearthed in the Phlegraean Fields.

Casina Vanvitelliana

The Casina Vanvitelliana is a small house located on a tiny islet in Lake Fusaro, in the municipality of Bacoli, and one the most famous and peculiar sights in the area. Built during the 18th century and designed by Vanvitelli, it was originally a hunting lodge of the Bourbon family.

Piscina Mirabilis

The Piscina Mirabilis is an ancient Roman cistern located in Bacoli. Dating from the reign of emperor Augustus, this is one of the largest cisterns ever built by the Romans, and provided water to the fleet in the nearby port. The monumental structure features a large hall and a vaulted ceiling supported by 48 tall pillars.

Cape Miseno

Cape Miseno (Capo Miseno) is a rocky promontory located south of Bacoli, next to the small village of Miseno. The cape marks the northwestern limit of the Gulf of Naples and offers an amazing view on the sea and the nearby islands of Procida and Ischia. Near the cape are the long beach of Miseno and the small Lake Miseno.

Lago Patria

Lago Patria is a small town and seaside resort along the Domitian Coast on the Tyrrhenian Sea, and it is part of the municipality of Giugliano in Campania. The town takes its name from the nearby coastal lake, and it once hosted the Roman city of Liternum.

Lake Patria

Lake Patria (Lago di Patria) is a coastal lake located near the shores of the Tyrrhenian Sea. Once part of a larger marshland, it is now known for hosting rowing competitions. Just off its southern shore, in the town of Lago Patria, are a few ruins of the ancient Roman town of Liternum, which was once the residence of Scipio Africanus, who likely died here.

Sant’Antimo

Sant’Antimo is a suburb of Naples, located north of the capital of Campania. The town is now mostly residential, but it has been inhabited since ancient times and features a few historic attractions and an important religious site.

Shrine of Sant’Antimo Priest and Martyr

The Shrine of Sant’Antimo Priest and Martyr (Santuario di Sant’Antimo Prete e Martire) is a historic religious site and the main church in the town of Sant’Antimo, located on the main square of the city. Founded in the 9th century, the church was mostly reworked in the 18th century, and features several elaborate decorations. The church is best known for hosting the relics of Saint Anthimus of Rome, who was martyred in the year 305.

Acerra

Acerra is a city located north of Naples, and one of its most populous suburbs. One of the most ancient cities in the area, it was inhabited by the Osci and then the Romans. In the Middle Ages, it was the site of Lombard castle, a Norman county, and a bishopric. Now it features some historic landmarks.

Baronial Castle of Acerra

The Baronial Castle of Acerra (Castello Baronale di Acerra) is a castle in Acerra, originally built during the Middle Ages and then reworked several times. Now it houses an archaeological museum with findings from around the city, and another museum dedicated to local history and culture.