| The original nucleus of Naples Italy can be found on the little island of Megaride. Occupied today by Egg Castle (Castel dell’ Ovo), it was first a settlement of the Aegean Greeks, then the Rodi, followed by the Cumani, in the seventh and sixth centuries B.C. The Cumani also occupied the Pizzofalcone heights and named the city Palaepolis (Old City). Around the fifth century B.C., Neapolis (New City) arose in the surrounding areas, exercising strong cultural influence based on its Greek roots. In the following century it was occupied by the Romans, surrounded by walls and characterized by blocks of streets formed in grids. Later it was occupied by the Byzantines, then the Goths, and then became capital of an autonomous dukedom.
After a brief period of Longobard dominion, it fell under Norman control, until Ruggero II of Altavilla, King of Sicily, was able to add it to his kingdom in 1139. With the Angevin conquest in 1266, Naples became the capital and experienced notable demographic and urban growth. New growth occurred with the arrival of Alfonso of Aragon and with the reign of his successors (fifteenth century). After Charles VIII of France, the Spanish took over in 1503. Naples rose to the dignity of being a capital again in 1734 under the Bourbons, who reigned there until September 1860 (except during the brief French parenthesis, 1806-1815), at which time it was annexed to Garibaldi’s Italy. The bombardments of the Second World War, aggravated by the resistance of the German troops, caused death and destruction to the patrimony of population and of art. However, the Parthenopaean population gained victory on October 1, 1943, after four days of bitter fighting. (Note: The mythical tomb of Parthenope, a siren, was supposedly at the site where Naples grew up. As a result, the city has become known as Parthenopaea.)
By plane: Capodichino airport. For information: 081/ 789.61.11
By train: Naples has three stations: Napoli Centrale, Mergellina, Campi Flegrei (Phlegrean Fields). All national rail traffic develops along the line Rome – Naples – Reggio Calabria, which allows direct connections with Intercity and Eurostar lines.
Public Transport: In the city center, besides buses, whose tickets can be purchased in tobacco shops or bars, we can comfortably travel by metro (subway), thus solving any problems related to the intense rush-hour traffic. The metro line connecting the Central Railway Station to the Mergellina Station crosses the entire city.
By Taxi: Travelling by taxi can be a pleasant experience even if it isn’t very economical. The natural joviality and courtesy of Naples’ taxi drivers engages visitors. They are often the first tour guides to the city, telling traditional Parthenopaean legends and stories throughout the voyage. Just one warning: to avoid unpleasant situations, it’s a good idea to use only authorized taxis. The radiotaxi service has these numbers: Radiopartenope, tel. 5560202; Radionapoli, tel. 5564444
Whether because of its colors or the luminosity of the landscape or its intriguing byways, Naples certainly will remain in the eyes and hearts of its visitors. Shopping in Naples is a tourist experience worth discovering, alongside of traditional shopping. It draws visitors through the piazzas, streets and byways of the Parthenopeaen capital in search of something "real." The characteristic Neapolitan craftsman, who possesses an incomparable stock of tradition, has been able to conserve throughout the ages his secrets of hard work and human care, passing them down from father to son.
Goldworkers, decorative metalworkers, typographers, stuccoers, jewelers, silvercrafters, ceramicists, stonecarvers, waxworkers, engravers, glovemakers, coral experts: all still have their workshops in the heart of Naples and are available to those looking for objects possessing a touch of personal creativity. Some ancient handicrafts, including artistic nativity scenes and silk products, are kept in museums or private collections.
The most naturally Neapolitan dishes are vermicelli with clams, mussels, smaller shellfish, ziti (a type of pasta) with ragù (meat sauce), Italian style fritters, fritters of squid and mullet, steamed polyps, oven-baked kid (lamb), eggplant Parmesan, and buffalo mozzarella. Without question, pizza is the symbol of Naples. Naples is known worldwide for this genuine and economical dish. However, in Naples the pizza is different and no one can equal the Parthenopeaen pizza-makers.
Whether because of the delicious odor in the air, in the oil, in the flavor of the water, or for the simplicity with which it is made, it is certain that in Naples "pizza" has a special flavor. Naples is also famous for sweets that change with the seasons: struffoli (cookies with Strega liqueur, honey, and candied sprinkles), pastiere (cakes made with ricotta, coarse flour, candied fruits, and orange syrup), zeppole (cookies made from black cherry liqueur, fried or cooked in the oven, for St. Joseph’s Day), cassate (cakes made from ricotta cheese, almond paste, and pieces of chocolate), monachine (in English, "little monks"), sfogliate rich with cream and layered high, frolle (sweet crumbly pastry made from flour, egg, butter and sugar), babà (made with light flour), eggs, and yeast and bathed in rum punch), millefoglie (layers of sweet cream and thin pastry shell), mimose (Angel Food cake, known in Italian as pasta di spagna, with cream). These delicious sweets are always accompanied by coffee or flavored liqueurs (rosolio, limoncello, nocillo - the latter walnut-flavored). |
