Naples

Naples

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For other places of the same name, see Naples (disambiguation).

"Napoli" redirects here. For other uses, see Napoli (disambiguation).

Naples

Napoli

—  Comune  —

Comune di Napoli

A collage of Naples: in the top left is the interior of Naples Cathedral, followed by the Castello Nuovo, a view of the city harbour and the Teatro San Carlo.

Coat of arms

Naples

Location of Naples in Italy

Coordinates: 40°50′N 14°15′E

Country      Italy

Region        Campania

Province     Naples (NA)

Government

 - Mayor     Rosa Russo Iervolino (Democratic Party)

Area

 - Total        117.27 km2 (45.3 sq mi)

Elevation    17 m (56 ft)

Population (30 September 2009)[1]

 - Total        963,357

 - Density    8,214.9/km2 (21,276.4/sq mi)

Demonym   Napoletani

Time zone   CET (UTC+1)

 - Summer (DST)  CEST (UTC+2)

Postal code 80100, 80121-80147

Dialing code         081

Patron saint          Januarius

Saint day    September 19

Website       Official website

Naples (Italian: Napoli  listen (help·info), pronounced [ˈnaːpoli], Neapolitan: Napule) is a city in Italy; it is the capital of the region of Campania and of the province of Naples. Known for its rich history, art, culture, architecture, music, and gastronomy, Naples has played an important role in the Italian peninsula and beyond[2] for much of its existence, which began more than 2,800 years ago. Situated on the west coast of Italy by the Gulf of Naples, the city is located halfway between two volcanic areas, Mount Vesuvius and the Phlegraean Fields.

Founded in the 9th-8th century BC[3][4] as a Greek colony, which was originally named Παρθενόπη Parthenope and later Νεάπολις Neápolis (Greek for New City), Naples is one of the oldest cities in the world. It was among the foremost cities of Magna Graecia, playing a key role in the transmission of Greek culture to Roman society. Naples eventually became part of the Roman Republic as a major cultural center; the premiere Latin poet, Virgil, received part of his education there and later resided in its environs.[5] As a microcosm of European history, Naples has seen several civilizations come and go, each leaving traces in its art and architecture. The most prominent forms of architecture now visible derive from the Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque periods.

The historic city centre of Naples is the largest in Europe[6] (1,700 hectares),[7] and is listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Over its rich history Naples has been the capital of duchies, kingdoms, and one Empire, as well as a major cultural center (especially during the period of Renaissance humanism and in the 17th through 19th centuries). The city has profoundly influenced many areas of Europe and beyond.[8] In the immediate vicinity of Naples are various sites (e.g., the Palace of Caserta, Pompeii, and Herculaneum) that are strongly related to the city for historical, artistic, architectural reasons.

Naples was preeminently the capital city of a kingdom that bore its name from 1282 until 1816: the Kingdom of Naples. Then, in union with Sicily, it became the capital of the Two Sicilies until the unification of Italy in 1861. Through the Neapolitan War, Naples strongly promoted Italian unification.

Within its administrative limits, Naples has a population of around 1 million people, but according to different sources its metropolitan area is either the second (after the Milan metropolitan area, with 4,434,136 inhabitants according to Svimez Data[9] or 4,996,084 according to Censis institute)[10] or third (3.1 million inhabitants according to OECD)[11] most populated metropolitan area in Italy. In addition, it is the most densely populated major city in Italy.

For economic strength, Naples is ranked fourth in Italy, after Milan, Rome and Turin. It is the world's 91st richest city by purchasing power, with a GDP of $43 billion, surpassing the economies of Budapest and Zurich.[12] The port of Naples is one of the most important in Europe (the second in the world after the port of Hong Kong for passenger flow).[13] Even though the city has experienced remarkable economic growth in recent times, and unemployment levels in the city and surrounding Campania have decreased since 1999,[14] Naples is still characterized by political and economic corruption[15] and a thriving black market empire. Italian mega-companies, such as MSC, are headquartered in the city. Since 1958, the city hosts the Center Rai of Naples (media), while in the Bagnoli district there is a big NATO base. The city hosts the SRM institution for economic research and the OPE company and study center.[16][17][18] Naples is a full member of the Eurocities network of European cities.[19] The city was selected to become the headquarters of the European institution Acp/Ue [20] and as a City of Literature by UNESCO's Creative Cities Network.[21] In the Posillipo district there is Villa Rosebery, one of three official residence of the President of Italy.

Naples was the most bombed Italian city of World War II.[22] In the 20th century, first under Fascism and reconstruction following the Second World War built much of the periphery. In recent decades, Naples has adopted a business district (the Centro Direzionale) with skyscrapers and infrastructure such as the TGV in Rome or in a subway expansion: it will include half of the region. The metropolis will host the IAC 2012[23] and the Universal Forum of Cultures 2013.

The city is also synonymous with pizza, which originated in the city, with the first pizzas originally fried and later baked in the oven. A strong part of Neapolitan culture which has had wide reaching effects is music, including the invention of the romantic guitar and the mandolin as well as strong contributions to opera and folk standards. There are popular characters and figures who have come to symbolise Naples; these include the patron saint of the city Januarius, Pulcinella, and the Sirens from the epic Greek poem the Odyssey.

Contents [hide]

1 History

1.1 Greek birth, Roman acquisition

1.2 Duchy of Naples

1.3 The Kingdom

1.3.1 Norman to Angevin

1.3.2 Aragonese to Bourbon

1.4 Italian unification, present day

2 Main sights

2.1 Main piazza, palaces and castles

2.2 Museums

2.3 Churches, religious buildings and structures

2.4 Other features

2.4.1 Beneath Naples

2.4.2 Parks, gardens and villas

2.4.3 Around Naples

3 Geography

3.1 Quarters

3.2 Climate

4 Demographics

5 Education

6 Governance

6.1 Politics

6.2 Administrative subdivisions

7 Economy

8 Transport

9 Culture

9.1 Art

9.2 Cuisine

9.3 Film

9.4 Language

9.5 Music

9.6 Sports

9.7 Notable people

10 Twin towns — sister cities

11 UNESCO site

12 See also

13 References

13.1 Bibliography

13.2 Notes

14 External links

[edit]History

Main article: History of Naples

[edit]Greek birth, Roman acquisition

Main articles: Magna Graecia and Ancient Rome

Scene featuring Parthenope, a siren and mythological founder of Naples.[24]

The history of the city can be traced back to the 8th century BC when inhabitants of the nearby Greek colony Cumae founded a city called Parthenope; Cumae itself had been founded by people from Euboea, Greece.[25] The exact reasons for doing so are not known for certain, but the Cumaeans built Neapolis (meaning New City) next to the old Parthenope. Around this time they had held off invasion attempts from the Etruscans.[26]

The new city grew thanks to the influence of powerful Greek city-state Siracusa and at some point the new and old cities on the Gulf of Naples merged together to become one.[25] The city became an ally of the Roman Republic against Carthage; the strong walls surrounding Neapolis stopped invader Hannibal from entering.[27] During the Samnite Wars, the city, now a bustling centre of trade, was captured by the Samnites; however, the Romans soon took it from them and made Neapolis a Roman colony.[27]

The city was greatly respected by the Romans as a place of Hellenistic culture: the people maintained their Greek language and customs; elegant villas, aqueducts, public baths, an odeon, a theatre and the Temple of Dioscures were built, and many powerful emperors chose to holiday in the city including Claudius and Tiberius.[27]

It was during this period that Christianity came to Naples; apostles St. Peter and St. Paul are said to have preached in the city. Also, St. Januarius, who would become Naples' patron saint, was martyred there.[28] Last emperor of Western Roman Empire, Romulus Augustulus, was sent in exile in Naples by king Odoacer.

[edit]Duchy of Naples

Main articles: Duchy of Naples and List of Dukes of Naples

Gothic War on Vesuvius.

Following the decline of the Western Roman Empire, Naples was captured by the Ostrogoths, a Germanic people, and incorporated into the Ostrogothic Kingdom.[29] However, Belisarius of the Byzantine Empire (also known as the Eastern Roman Empire) took the city back in 536, after famously entering the city via the aqueduct.[30]

The Gothic Wars waged on, and Totila briefly took the city for the Ostrogoths in 543, before, finally, the Battle of Mons Lactarius on the slopes of Vesuvius decided Byzantine rule.[29] Naples was expected to keep in contact with the Exarchate of Ravenna, which was the centre of Byzantine power on the Italian peninsula.[31]

After the exarchate fell a Duchy of Naples was created; though Naples continued with its Greco-Roman culture, it eventually switched allegiance under Duke Stephen II to Rome rather than Constantinople, putting it under papal suzerainty by 763.[31]

The years between 818 and 832 were a particularly confusing period in regard to Naples' relation with the Byzantine Emperor, with feuding between local pretenders to the ducal throne.[32] Theoctistus was appointed without imperial approval; this was later revoked and Theodore II took his place. However, the general populance chased him from the city and instead elected Stephen III, a man who minted coins with his own initials not that of the Byzantine Emperor. Naples gained complete independence by 840.[32]

The duchy was under direct control of Lombards for a brief period, after the capture by Pandulf IV of the Principality of Capua, long term rival of Naples; however this only lasted three years before the culturally Greco-Roman influenced dukes were reinstated.[32] By the 11th century, like many territories in the area, Naples hired Norman merecenaries, the Christian descendants of the Vikings, to battle their rivals; Duke Sergius IV hired Rainulf Drengot to battle Capua for him.[33]

By 1137, the Normans had grown hugely in influence, controlling previous independent principalities and duchies such as Capua, Benevento, Salerno, Amalfi, Sorrento and Gaeta; it was in this year that Naples, the last independent duchy in the southern part of the peninsula, came under Norman control. The last ruling duke of the duchy Sergius VII was forced to surrender to Roger II, who had proclaimed himself King of Sicily seven years earlier; this saw Naples joining the Kingdom of Sicily, where Palermo was the capital.[34]

[edit]The Kingdom

[edit]Norman to Angevin

Main articles: Kingdom of Sicily, Kingdom of Naples, and List of monarchs of Naples

Early kings ruled from Castel Nuovo.

After a period as a Norman kingdom, the Kingdom of Sicily was passed on to the Hohenstaufens who were a highly powerful Germanic royal house of Swabian origins.[35] The University of Naples Federico II was founded by Frederick II in the city, the oldest state university in the world, making Naples the intellectual centre of the kingdom.[36] Conflict between the Hohenstaufen house and the Papacy, led in 1266 to Pope Innocent IV crowning Angevin Dynasty duke Charles I as the king of the kingdom:[37] Charles officially moved the capital from Palermo to Naples where he resided at the Castel Nuovo.[38] During this period much Gothic architecture sprang up around Naples, including the Naples Cathedral, which is the main church of the city.[39]

In 1282, after the Sicilian Vespers, the kingdom split in half. The Angevin Kingdom of Naples included the southern part of the Italian peninsula, while the island of Sicily became the Aragonese Kingdom of Sicily.[37] The wars continued until the peace of Caltabellotta in 1302, which saw Frederick III recognised as king of the Isle of Sicily, while Charles II was recognised as the king of Naples by Pope Boniface VIII.[37] Despite the split, Naples grew in importance, attracting Pisan and Genoese merchants,[40] Tuscan bankers, and with them some of the most championed Renaissance artists of the time, such as Boccaccio, Petrarch and Giotto.[41] In the midst of the 14th century, The Hungarian Angevin king , Louis the Great captured the city several times. Alfonso I conquered Naples after his victory against the last Angevin king, René, Naples was unified for a brief period with Sicily again.[42]

[edit]Aragonese to Bourbon

Main articles: Kingdom of Naples, Parthenopaean Republic, Two Sicilies, Naples Lazzaroni, and List of monarchs of the Two Sicilies

Revolutionary Masaniello.

French troops and artillery entering Naples in 1495, during the Italian War of 1494–1498.

Sicily and Naples were separated in 1458 but remained as dependencies of Aragon under Ferrante.[43] The new dynasty enhanced Naples' commerce by establishing relations with the Iberian peninsula. Naples also became a centre of the Renaissance, with artists such as Laurana, da Messina, Sannazzaro and Poliziano arriving in the city.[44] During 1501 Naples became under direct rule from France at the time of Louis XII, as Neapolitan king Frederick was taken as a prisoner to France; this lasted only four years.[45]

Spain won Naples at the Battle of Garigliano and, as a result, Naples became under direct rule as part of the Spanish Empire throughout the entire Habsburg Spain period.[45] The Spanish sent viceroys to Naples to directly deal with local issues: the most important of which was Pedro Álvarez de Toledo, who was responsible for considerable social, economic and urban progress in the city; he also supported the Inquisition.[46]

During this period Naples became Europe's second largest city after only Paris.[47] It was a cultural powerhouse during the Baroque era as home to artists including Caravaggio, Salvator Rosa and Bernini, philosophers such as Bernardino Telesio, Giordano Bruno, Tommaso Campanella and Giambattista Vico, and writers such as Giambattista Marino. A revolution led by local fisherman Masaniello saw the creation of a brief independent Neapolitan Republic, though this lasted only a few months before Spanish rule was regained.[45] In 1656 the plague killed about half of Naples' 300,000 inhabitants.[48]

Finally, by 1714, the Spanish ceased to rule Naples as a result of the War of the Spanish Succession; it was the Austrian Charles VI who ruled from Vienna, similarly with viceroys.[49] However, the War of the Polish Succession saw the Spanish regain Sicily and Naples as part of a personal union, which in the Treaty of Vienna were recognised as independent under a cadet branch of the Spanish Bourbons in 1738 under Charles VII.[50]

During the time of Ferdinand IV, the French Revolution made its way to Naples: Horatio Nelson, an ally of the Bourbons, even arrived in the city in 1798 to warn against it. However, Ferdinand was forced to retreat and fled to Palermo, where he was protected by a British fleet.[51] Naples' lower classes the lazzaroni were strongly pious and Royalist, favouring the Bourbons; in the mêlée that followed, they fought the Neapolitan pro-Republican aristocracy, causing a civil war.[51]

The Republicans conquered Castel Sant'Elmo and proclaimed a Parthenopaean Republic, secured by the French Army.[51] A counter-revolutionary religious army of lazzaroni known as the sanfedisti under Fabrizio Ruffo was raised; they had great success and the French surrendered the Neapolitan castles and were allowed to sail back to Toulon.[51]

Ferdinand IV was restored as king; however, after only seven years Napoleon conquered the kingdom and instated Bonapartist kings including his brother Joseph Bonaparte.[52] With the help of the Austrian Empire and allies, the Bonapartists were defeated in the Neapolitan War and Bourbon Ferdinand IV once again regained the throne and the kingdom.[52] The Congress of Vienna in 1815 saw the kingdoms of Naples and Sicily combined to form the Two Sicilies,[52] with Naples as the capital city. Naples became the first city on the Italian peninsula to have a railway in 1839 with the construction of the Naples–Portici line,[53] there were many factories throughout the kingdom making it a highly important trade centre.[54]

[edit]Italian unification, present day

After the Expedition of the Thousand led by Giuseppe Garibaldi, culminating in the controversial Siege of Gaeta, Naples became part of the Kingdom of Italy in 1861 as part of the Italian unification, ending Bourbon rule. The kingdom of the Two Sicilies had been wealthy and 80 million ducats were taken from the banks as a contribution to the new Italian treasury, while other former states in the Italian unification were forced to pay far less.[54] The economy of the area formerly known as Two Sicilies collapsed, leading to an unprecedented wave of emigration,[55] with estimates claiming at least 4 million of those who left from 1876–1913 were from Naples or near Naples.[56]

Naples was the most bombed Italian city of World War II.[22] Though Neapolitans did not rebel under Italian fascism, Naples was the first Italian city to rise up against German military occupation; the people rose up and freed their own city completely by October 1, 1943.[57] The symbol of the rebirth of Naples was the rebuilding of Santa Chiara which had been destroyed in a United States Army Air corps raid.[22]

Special funding from the Italian government's Fund for the South from 1950 to 1984 helped the economy to improve somewhat, including the rejuvenation of the Piazza del Plebiscito and other city landmarks.[58] Naples still has some issues, however: high unemployment and the Naples waste management issue, the latter of which the media has attributed to the Camorra organised crime network.[59] Recently, the Italian Government under Silvio Berlusconi has held senior meetings in Naples to demonstrate that they intend to tackle these problems once and for all.[60]

[edit]Main sights

See also, Buildings and structures in Naples

Naples has one of the greatest density of cultural resources and monuments that include 2800 years of history (castles, fountains, churches, ancient architecture, etc.): the most prominent forms of architecture in Naples are from the Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque periods.[61] The historic centre of Naples is typically the most fruitful for architecture and is in fact listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.[62] A striking feature of Naples is the fact that it has 448 historical churches, making it one of the most Catholic cities in the world.[63]

[edit]Main piazza, palaces and castles

See also, List of palaces in Naples

Piazza del Plebiscito.

The central and main open city square or piazza of the city is the Piazza del Plebiscito. It was started by Bonapartist king Joachim Murat and finished by Bourbon king Ferdinand IV. It is bounded on the east by the Royal Palace and on the west by the church of San Francesco di Paola with the colonnades extending to both sides. Nearby is the Teatro di San Carlo, which is the oldest and largest opera house on the Italian peninsula.[64] Directly across from San Carlo is Galleria Umberto, a shopping centre and active centre of Neapolitan social life in general. Naples is well-known for its historic castles: the ancient Castel Nuovo is one of the most notable architectural representatives on the city, also known as Maschio Angioino; it was built during the time of Charles I, the first ever king of Naples. Castel Nuovo has hosted some historical religious events: for example, in 1294, Pope Celestine V resigned as pope in a hall of the castle, and following this Pope Boniface VIII was elected pope here by the cardinal collegium, and immediately moved to Rome.

The castle which Nuovo replaced in importance was the Norman founded Castel dell'Ovo. Its name means Egg Castle and it is built on the tiny islet Megarides, where the Cumaean colonists founded the city. The third castle of note is Sant'Elmo which was completed in 1329 and is built in the shape of a star. During the uprising of Masaniello, the Spanish took refuge in Sant'Elmo to escape the revolutionaries.

[edit]Museums

See also: List of museums in Naples

Palazzo Capodimonte.

Naples hosts a wealth of historical museums and some of the most important in the country. The Naples National Archaeological Museum is one of the main museums, considered one of the most important for artifacts of the Roman Empire in the world.[65] It also hosts many of the antiques unearthed at Pompeii and Herculaneum, as well as some artifacts from the Greek and Renaissance periods.[65]

Previously a Bourbon palace, now a museum and art gallery, the Museo di Capodimonte is probably the most important in Naples. The art gallery features paintings from the 13th to the 18th century including major works by Simone Martini, Raphael, Titian, Caravaggio, El Greco and many others, including Neapolitan School painters Jusepe de Ribera and Luca Giordano. The royal apartments are furnished with antique 18th century furniture and a collection of porcelain and majolica from the various royal residences: the famous Capodimonte Porcelain Factory was just adjacent to the palace. In front of Royal Palace of Naples there is the Galleria Umberto I in this building there is the Coral jewellery Museum

The Certosa di San Martino was formerly a monastery complex but is now a museum and remains one of the most visible landmarks of Naples. Displayed within the museum are Spanish and Bourbon-era artifacts, as well as displays of the nativity scene, considered to be among the finest in the world. Pietrarsa railway museum is located in the city: Naples has a proud railway history and the museum features, amongst many other things, the Bayard, the first locomotive in the Italian peninsula.[53] Other museums include the Villa Pignatelli and Palazzo Como, and one of Italy's national libraries (the Biblioteca Nazionale Vittorio Emanuele III) is also located in the city.

[edit]Churches, religious buildings and structures

See also: Churches in Naples and Archdiocese of Naples

The Church of San Lorenzo Maggiore in central Naples, surrounded by several shops.

Hosting the Archdiocese of Naples, the Catholic faith is highly important to the people of Naples and there are hundreds of churches in the city.[63] The Cathedral of Naples is the most important place of worship in the city, each year on September 19 it hosts the Miracle of Saint Januarius, the city's patron saint.[66] In the miracle which thousands of Neapolitans flock to witness, the dried blood of Januarius is said to turn to liquid when brought close to relics said to be of his body: this is one of the most important traditions for Neapolitans.[66] Below is a selective list of some of the best-known churches, chapels, monastery complexes and religious structures in Naples;

         

Santa Chiara

San Domenico Maggiore

Gesù Nuovo

Sansevero Chapel

San Lorenzo Maggiore

Santa Maria Donna Regina Vecchia

Santa Maria Donna Regina Nuova

Santa Maria del Carmine

Girolamini

         

San Ferdinando

San Francesco di Paola

San Giovanni a Carbonara

San Gregorio Armeno

Sant'Anna dei Lombardi

Sant'Eligio Maggiore

Santa Caterina a Chiaia

Santa Maria La Nova

Santa Restituta

         

Spires of Naples

San Pietro Martire

San Pietro a Maiella

San Gennaro extra Moenia

Hermitage of Camaldoli

Santissima Annunziata

Santa Caterina a Formiello

Archbishop's Palace

Madre del Buon Consiglio

Fontanelle cemetery

[edit]Other features

Nisida view from Parco Virgiliano.

Aside from the main piazza there are two more in the form of Piazza Dante and Piazza dei Martiri. The latter is somewhat controversial: it originally just had a memorial to martyrs but in 1866, after the Italian unification, four lions were added, representing the four rebellions against the Bourbons.[67]

Founded in 1667 by the Spanish, the San Gennaro dei Poveri is a hospital for the poor which is still in existence today. It was a forerunner of a much more ambitious project, the gigantic Bourbon Hospice for the Poor started by Charles III. This was for the destitute and ill of the city; it also provided a self-sufficient community where the poor would live and work: today it is no longer a hospital.[68]

[edit]Beneath Naples

Main article: Beneath Naples

Underneath Naples there is a series of caves and structures created by centuries of mining, which is in part of an underground geothermal zone. Subterranean Naples consists of old Greco-Roman reservoirs dug out from the soft tufo stone on which, and from which, the city is built. Approximately one kilometer of the many kilometers of tunnels under the city can be visited from the well known "Napoli Sotteranea" situated in the historic centre of the city in Via dei Tribunali. There are also large catacombs in and around the city and other visits such as Piscina Mirabilis, the main cistern serving the Bay of Naples during Roman times. This system of tunnels and cisterns covers most of the city and lies approximately thirty meters below ground level. Moisture levels are around 70%. During World War II, these tunnels were used as air raid shelters and there are inscriptions in the walls which depict the suffering endured during that time.

[edit]Parks, gardens and villas

The Villa Pignatelli and its garden.

Of the public parks in Naples, the most prominent is the Villa Comunale, previously known as the Royal Garden as its building was ordered by Bourbon king Ferdinand IV in the 1780s.[69] The second most important park is Parco Virgiliano which is very green and has views towards the tiny volcanic islet of Nisida; beyond that in the distance are Procida and Ischia.[70] It was named after Virgil the classical Roman poet who is thought to be entombed nearby.[70] There was also a tomb of greatness in Naples that Villa Comunale found in 1832. There are also many attractive villas in Naples, such as the Neoclassical Villa Floridiana, built in 1816.

[edit]Around Naples

The islands of Procida, (famously used as the set for much of the film Il Postino), Capri and Ischia can all be reached quickly by hydrofoils and ferries. Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast are situated south of Naples. The Roman ruins of Pompeii, Herculaneum and Stabiae (destroyed in the 79 AD eruption of Vesuvius) are also nearby. As well, Naples is near the volcanic area known as the Campi Flegrei and the port towns of Pozzuoli and Baia, which were part of the vast Roman naval facility, Portus Julius.

[edit]Geography

In the area surrounding Naples are the islands of Procida, Capri and Ischia, which are reached by hydrofoils and ferries. Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast are situated south of Naples. The Roman ruins of Pompeii, Herculaneum and Stabiae, which were destroyed in the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD, are also nearby. Naples is also near the volcanic area known as the Campi Flegrei and the port towns of Pozzuoli and Baia, which were part of the vast Roman naval facility, Portus Julius.

[edit]Quarters