Guide Centre - Tour Guide Naples

History and useful information

A mixture of sadness and liveliness, colour and noise which are all part of the Neapolitan character make this town special and quite unique. It is one of the oldest cites in Europe, founded by the Greeks in the 7^th century BC. and conquered by the Romans, then later in the 11^th century held by the Normans, the German Swabians, the French Angevins, the Aragonese, the Spaniards, the Bourbons, and the Napoleonic interlude, right up to the unification of Italy in 1861. Foreign domination has left its mark in the works of art, the character, the cuisine and the language. Naples is enjoying a splendid revaluation, and buildings closed for decades have been re-opened to the public. Naples has regained its reputation as an art centre, thanks to its fascinating old city centre, its museums, art galleries and churches. Trips to Naples should be organized according to the individual taste of the visitor. Interests: - the Greek, Roman, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and Neoclassical periods - the historical centre with its churches, palaces and handicrafts - underground Naples, sacred Naples and the old quarters. - the Archaeological Museum, the Capodimonte Art Gallery, Royal Palace, St.Martin’s Charterhouse, San Carlo Theatre, Castel dell’Ovo ( Egg Castle ), Castel Nuovo ( New Castle), and St.Elmo Castle.

Example of full day: Morning - old centre: Cathedral, St Lorenzo church, St Gregorio (famous for Nativity scene workshops), St Severo chapel, St Domenico Mag. Church, St Chiara with its majolica cloisters, and Gesù Nuovo church. Walk to Town Hall Square and Plebiscite Square with view of the New Castle, St Carlo opera house, Royal Palace and Umberto Primo Gallery. After lunch - from port, Molo Beverello – panoramic city bus tour, Riviera di Chiaia, waterfront of Mergellina, the Santa Lucia District with the Egg Castle, up to Posillipo hill for the view of the Bay of Naples.