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Napoli
Naples reminds me of the '90s New York: there's that kind of violence and energy.
by Abel Ferrara
About Napoli
Basic Information:
- City: Napoli
- Region: Campania
- Province: Napoli
- Zona: South Italy, on the Tyrrhenian Sea
- Coordinates: 40°50′0″N 14°15′0″E
- Surface: 117,27 km²
- Population: 957 811 (by 30/09/2011)
- Patron Saint: St. Januarius
- Saint Day: 19 September
- Web site: Official Web Site
Napoli (Naples) is the third Italian city by population and it is the heart of one of the most big metropolitan areas in Europe. Napoli is the capital center of the province and the region of Campania. It is situated in a large gulf of Mediterranean Sea between Vesuvius and the volcanic area of Campi Flegrei.
During the centuries Naples has seen a succession of long and numerous foreign domination covering an important position in Italy and Europe.
After the collapse of the Roman Empire in the seventh century, the city formed an independent duchy from the Byzantine Empire and later from the thirteenth century and for about six hundred years was the capital of the Kingdom of Naples. From Naples in the early fifteenth century under Ladislas of Durazzo started the first attempt at unification of Italy after which the city became the political center of the Empire Aragonese.
In the second half of the sixteenth century Naples became the most populous city of the West. Already a capital of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies after the Unification of Italy Napoli suffered of a relative decline in social-economic spread throughout the South.
In 1995 the Historical Center of Naples - the largest in Europe is recognized by UNESCO World Heritage Site. In 1997 the Somma-Vesuvius volcanic system has been elected by the same international agency (with the nearby Golden Mile as they fall within the districts of San Giovanni in Naples Teduccio Barra and Ponticelli) among the world's reserves of the biosphere.
What to see in Napoli?
Napoli is considered to be an Open-Air Museum. It is reach of ancient building, monuments, churches and museums. It has an impressive history and culture waiting for you to be discovered.
- Historical Center
- Subterranean Naples
- Duomo San Genero
- Basilica della Santissima Annunziata Maggiore
- Church San Francesco di Paola (Piazza Plebiscito)
- Maschio Angioino (Castel Nuovo)
- Villa Floridiana
- Riserva Naturale Cratere degli Astroni
- Mausoleo Schilizzi (Mausoleo Posillipo)
- Museums
- National Archaeological Museum
- Museo Nazionale di Capodimonte
- National Museum of San Martino
- Museo di Palazzo Reale
How to go to Napoli?
Situated on the west coast of Mediterranean Sea makes Napoli very easy reachable with all kind of transports.
- By Air
The local airport you can go to is Capodichino Napoli Airport. Check in your nearest airport what kind of connection you can have to go to Napoli Airport.
From the airport you can take an Ali bus that goes to the Central Rail Station (Stazione Centrale) and Piazza Municipio which is nearby the Ferry Port (Molo Beverello). Another one option is to get 3S bus that makes the same way but this one have more stop and moreover it is continuing to the shopping district. The most comfortable of these is the first one.
For more information visit the International Airport Napoli web site.
- By Train
You can easily reach Napoli also by train. The Napoli Central Station is in Piazza Garibaldi and it is connected to the Naples Subway. The buses R2 or 601 from the Piazza Garibaldi in front of the Train Station will take you within three blocks of the Ferries at Stazione Marittima. Other stations include Mergellina a magnificent Art Déco building and Campi Flegrei. To go to and from Rome you have two possibility to get faster or normal train.
For more information visit the Italian Railway web site.
- By Boat
If you prefer you have a possibility to reach Napoli also by Boat. Right in the Center of the city, nearby Piazza Municipio is situated Stazione Marittima where you can go to and come with the Cruise Ships.
MedMar Group operates several large ferry passenger ships that connect Naples with Sardinia (Olbia), Corsica (Porto-Vecchio), Tunisia (Tunis) and the Aeolian Islands. These trips usually leave in the late afternoon or evening and arrive at their destination the next morning.
Tirrenia Navigazione operates an overnight ferry service that has two separate routes, one to Sardinia (Cagliari) and another one to Sicily (Palermo).
- By Ferry / Hydrofoil
Napoli have different Ferry/Hydrofoil services that connect the city and the local nearest ports and islands. Ferry and hydrofoil services leave from either Molo Beverello, Mergellina or Pozzuoli. You can use one of the following:
Metrò del Mare has several lines that connect Naples and Sapri; Bacoli and Salerno and Sorrento; Monti di Procida and Salerno; and, Amalfi and Sapri. Besides the main stops the Ferry service also connects many small communities.
L.N.G. Hydrofoil service connects Naples with the island of Capri along with Sorrento, Positano and Amalfi.
AliLauro Hydrofoil connects Naples with the Islands of Ponza, Ventotene, Prochida, Ischia, Capri and Eolie, and the towns of Formia, Castellamare, Sorrento, Positano, Amalfi and Salerno. Alilauro operates from both the Molo Beverello and Mergelina.
L.N.P. operates both Hydrofoil and Boats lines. It connects Naples with Sorrento and has other lines connecting Capri, Sorrento, Castellamare, Salerno, AMalfi and Positano.
- By Car
Napoli have good connections by car with North and South Italy. From Rome and all North Europe you can reach Napoli via Highway A1. From the site of Tyrrenian sea you reach Napoli via panoramic Highway A56. From South Italy Napoli is reachable via A3. From the Adriatic Sea it is possible to go to Napoli also via A16.
- By Bus
To go to Napoli it is possible also to use many national or international private bus services. Usually all buses are stopping at the Piazza Garibaldi or Piazza Municipio.
- Go Around
To go and see Napoli and its surroundings better not to use your private car but some local transport as taxi, train/subway, bus.
Taxis are the quickest way to see Napoli (Naples) but also the most expensive. Before getting into a taxi make sure it is licensed. Licensed taxis will have a city crest on the door and a taxi number. Also, make sure it has a meter. By law licensed taxis must display a list of fixed fares in a number of languages (Italian, English, French, German, Spanish). Check the presence of such fares and agree to them before starting the journey.
Of course the better way to see every one place is by walking. Interesting spots are almost on every corner and most distances – especially in the historic center – are small and can easily be walked in a matter of minutes.
TravelMapItaly Advices
- Be aware of possible thieves and take a look at your private backpack!
- For a safety trip in Napoli keep in mind all these precautions suggested by Wikitravel:
- Naples has a divergent distribution of richness. Keep in mind that the city center is not the "rich part" of the city, so the historical center may be somehow gritty and in some parts impoverished. Naples bad reputation regarding safety is mainly consequence of stereotypes, since the city's security level is actually comparable to any other European big city (Barcelona, Marseille, Amsterdam,...). The police and the Carabinieri fight strongly the local mafia (Camorra). In any case, it posses little no threat to tourists, but petty thievery and muggings definitely happen, but yet again, it is no more other comparable European city. Be watchful but not so much to ruin the magic of one of the most creative, unique and original city in the world. Of course, avoid empty streets and dimly-lit alleys at night and keep your wits about yourself. People in Naples are extremely nice and gentle, and often people are helped by Neapolitans to find some gorgeous attraction not shown in the tourist guide.
- Whoever goes to Naples Historical City Center has to take some generic precautions:
- Do not leave valuables laying out in the open (such as bar tables) where they can be snatched by thieves.
- Do not flash around money or other valuables.
- It is advised not to carry a purse as it can be snatched or "picked" by thieves.
- Do not wear too expensive watch (Rolex especially).
- Do not wear expensive or flashy jewelery.
- Do not use a costly camera or video camera.
- Do not wander down small dark alleys/streets, especially in the Spanish Quarter.
- Pay attention to fake public service vehicles.
- In Naples, you can buy over-the-shoulder packs that are excellent, as they allow you to keep an eye and firm grip on your valuables.
- Some persons pretend to offer images of old Naples or others things, as gifts but, then, expect payment.
- Pay attention to people who want to involve you in fake road accidents.
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Map of Napoli
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