Discover
the lesser known and the many unknown architectural and historical treasures of
this nearly three thousand year old city. Experience breathtaking views while
kayaking around Naples Bay. Refresh yourself in a hilltop urban vineyard. Inspired by “Napoli
insolita e segreta” by Valerio Ceva Grimaldi, texts by Maria Franchini and
photos by Fernando Pisacane.
Architectural Treasures the Naples
Chamber of Commerce and Stock Exchange dates from 1899. The neo-renaissance
style building features maritime and other commerce motifs.
The Lands Register Hall in the
State Archives building dates back to 1845. It was built in the 16th
century over the remains of the 10th century Benedectine monastery.
Documents include volumes dealing with a one of the first effort at managing
fiscal reform in Europe.
A Hotel du Charme in the
city’s most elegant quarter is now the home of what once was a house of ill
repute which became illegal in Italy in 1958. The tariff schedule for services
is still on display along with other aspects of the building’s interiors that
were restored with the color schemes of the previous occupant and the names of
the ladies that worked here on the rooms’ doors.
A Pagoda by the Sea can be
visited on the premises of neo Palladian Villa Doria in the Posillipo quarter
of Naples. This is where Wagner completed his Parsifal. The wood and masonry
pagoda was utilized as a tea room for the noble owners and their guests.
Located in the English garden of the villa, it still features the three bronze
bells which ring with the wind.
Underground Wonder in 1853 the
Bourbon king Ferdinand II commissioned an underground viaduct that was dug
entirely with manual labor, hammers and wedges. The tuff network connected the
royal palace with the port area and the city center. During World War II, the
431 meter tunnel was utilized as a bomb shelter for nearly 10 thousand people.
Libraries Museums and Archives the Bank of Naples has largest archive in the world, 336 rooms in two palazzi, that hold valuable historic and bank records dating back to the 16th century.
The University of Naples was
founded in 1224 by King Frederic II and is the oldest secular and public
institution in the world. It features two cloisters, one by Vanvitelli, and the
Royal Museum of Mineralogy, founded in 1801, with over 25 thousand finds hosted
in the Jesuit Library chambers.
The Pharmacy of the Incurables dates back
to the 16th century. Its two halls are richly decorated and feature
all the health and wellness cures and remedies in vogue in that period.
Particularly noteworthy is the ceiling that presents a scene of the Trojan War
with the warrior and medical expert of the day Macaone tending to Achilles’
wounds.
A Musical Archive in 1888,
Count Lucchesi Palli donated an archive to the Italian State comprising 30
thousand volumes, including operas, dramas, comedies and newspapers. The
collections has since expanded to include letters and other documents by
Giuseppe Verdi, Salvatore di Giacomo, Raffaele Viviani and a collection of no
less than 25 thousand Neapolitan songs.
Kayaking in Naples Bay a leisurely row along a coastline dotted
with neoclassical villas, roman archeological ruins and small landings immersed
in the Mediterranean maquis with the Vesuvius as backdrop for this fairytale
setting. And nearby,
The Borgo of Marechiaro home of the
famous finestrella, features a small
port, the
Gaiola
protected area and two small islands connected by a small bridge.