History of City of Naples
On this page: Travel tips, GPS codes to get the places and History of city of Naples.
The history of city of Naples and the legends: from Neapolis's foundation to the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies
The city of Naples is a city in southern Italy, capital of the Campania region and overlooks Capri’s Island.
This city is surrounded by Ischia, Capri, and Procida’s islands, Phlegraean fields, the Sorrento peninsula, the volcano Vesuvius, etc. is among one of the most visited places in the world. Naples is an inherited culture and the buildings built by the invaders who for centuries dominated and reigned in this city. Its history in fact, be-gins in 900 BC.
But we must not forget the art of cooking: The Pizza, the Casatiello, the Tarallo napoletano, the mozzarella, the limoncello, the Babà, the Neapolitan food
Pastiera napoletana, the sfogliatella, the struffoli, and what it's called in Naples “ò Cafè" (the Coffee).
In Naples, it’s tradition to buy a cup of coffee for brothers, friends or strangers. Nothing can stop this custom, not even in serious economic difficulties, and the real Napolitan knows that. He pays al-so for à Caffé sospeso (Hanging coffee). For a homeless, beggar or someone else that can't afford it.
THE LEGGEND OF NAPLES
Naples is also called city of Parthenope (from Greek “Virgin”), the mermaid who tried to en-chant Ulysses, but she failed. So, she took her own life and threw herself from the cliffs of the island (it’s not certain if the island is Capri or Li Galli near Positano). The body of the enchantress was carried by the sea until the Islet of Megaride, where now there is the Egg Castle: the oldest fortress of the city.
The Egg Castle of Naples: How to get there.
The Egg Castle walls: here you can see the city of Naples and his gulf: the panoramic photo.
About this fort there is another legend that give it the name. Virgil the ancient Roman poet (lived in the 1st century B.C.) he hid an enchanted egg in the basement of the castle, but if it was lost or bro-ken, the castle and the city of Naples will be it would collapse eventually. During the IX century A.C. an arch that supported the castle fell down. The queen, Johanna, sworn to have the egg replaced, because the people were in panic.
A bit of History:
NAPLES GREEK-ROMAN
In the 9th century BC the Greeks settled the little island of Megaride, and they created the first inhabited center: Parthenope.
In 470 BC Cumae (Greek colony) founded Neapolis (from the Greek new town) on the old inhabited center which changed its name from Parthenope to Paleopolis (from the Greek ancient city).
In 326 BC the Romans conquered Naples. During the empire the Neapolitan city, with its enchanting landscapes and natural thermal baths, became a holiday destination for the Roman nobles and the many writers of that time: Virgil, Cicero, Horace etc.
In 79 A.D. there was the eruption of Mount Vesuvius, the cities of Pompeii, Herculaneum, Stabia and Oplontis were destroyed.
NAPLES AND THE BARBARIAN INVASIONS
In 476 A.D. the entire Italian peninsula was conquered by the Barbarians (Germanic people).
NAPLES CONQUERED BY BYZANTINES
In 536 A.D. Naples was conquered by the Byzantines and the Duchy of Naples is born.
NAPLES CONQUERED BY NORMANS
In 1137 A.D. the Normans (Danish and Norwegian people) conquered Sicily and Naples. The kingdom of Sicily was born.
NAPOLI CONQUERED BY SUEVI (GERMANIC PEOPLE)
In 1194 A.D. The kingdom of Sicily was conquered by the Suevi (Germanic people). Federico II University was established there.
THE ANGIOINO KINGDOM
In 1266 A.D. Charles I of Anjou (son of King Louis VIII of France) conquered the kingdom of Sicily.
In 1272 A.D. the construction of the Maschio Angioino (Also called the New Castle) begins.
The New Castle of Naples: how to get it
The city of Naples: panoramic photo in the New castle courtyard
In 1275 A.D. the construction of the sant’ Elmo Castle begins
St Elmo Castle of Naples: how to get there.
St Elmo Castle: tjhe panoramic photo from the the fortress walls
In 1302 A.D. the kingdom of Naples is born: the Angevins lose Sicily. The Aragon's troops of Spain conquered the island.
THE ARAGONESE KINGDOM
In 1442 A.D. Alfonso I of Aragon of Spain, king of Sicily, conquered the kingdom of Naples. So there are 2 different realms (Naples and Sicilie) but there was the same king.
Among the works built by the aragonese there are: Porta Capuana (Capuana door, one of the ancient gates of the city)...
The porta Capuana, one of the ancient city gates of Naples, near the central station: how to get there.
The city of Naples and the Porta Capuana, one of the ancient city gates: Panoramic photo.
...the aragonese castle of Ischia...
The walls of aragonese Castle in Ischia island: the virtual tour
The panoramic photo of aragonese Castle in Ischia island
...the aragonese castle of Baia...
The Aragonese Castle in Baia, near the city of Naples: how to reach it.
The Aragonese Castle of Baia, near the city of Naples: how to reach it.
FRENCH VICE-ROYALTY
In 1501 A.D. Louis XII of France (Valois-Orléans dynasty) conquered the kingdom of Naples. But only after 2 years the Aragonese regained it.
SPAIN VICE-ROYALTY
In 1503 A.D. Ferdinand II of Aragon, known as the Catholic, reconquers the Neapolitan kingdom. He also adapts the viceroyalty system.
In 1516 A.D. Charles V of Habsburg, son of Joan of Aragon became king of Naples (same family but the surname is changed).
In 1600 A.D. the construction of the Royal Palace of Naples begins (in Plebiscito square).
The Royal Palace of Naples, How to reach it
The Royal Palace of city of Naples: the virtual tour.
The Royal Palace of Naples: the virtual tour of the halls
The grand staircase of the Royal Palace of city of Naples: the virtual tour
In 1647 A.D. The Neapolitan Republic is born, but after a few months of revolt the Austrian conquered it. The new reigning king adopted the vice-royalty system.
In 1700 A.D. the king has no heirs and the Spanish succession war begins with the Bourbons of France against the Habsburgs of Austria. Charles VI of Habsburg rises to the throne.
NAPOLES CONQUERED BY BOURBONS OF SPAIN
In 1734 A.D. the Spanish Bourbon army conquered the Napolitan kingdom. New King of Naples is Charles of Bourbons.
Next year the Bourbons also conquered the Kingdom of Sicily. Two differents reigns but with same monarch.
In 1737 A.D. the Royal St Charles Theatre was inaugurated.
The St Charles Royal Theatre, in the same building of Royal Palace of city of Naples: How to reach it
The St Charles Royal Theatre of city of Naples: the virtual tour
In 1738 A.D. the construction of the Royal Palace of Portici begins
The Royal Palace in Portici (at 10 kms distance from the city of Naples).
Near the city of Naples: the Royal Palace of Portici. In the town of the same name
In the same year the construction of the Royal Palace of Capodimonte begins, now is the National Museum of Capodimonte.
The National Museum of Capodimonte, in the city of Naples: How to reach it
Naples city: The Capodimonte Museum, virtual tour.
The Capodimonte Museum in Naples.
The gardens of the Capodimonte Museum Naples city.
In 1751 A.D. the construction of the Bourbon Hospice for the Poor begins. It is a place where the homeless of the city was hosted.
The city of Naples: The Bourbon Hospice for the Poor. How to reach it
The Bourbon Hospice for the Poor, in the city of Naples: the virtual tour.
In 1752 A.D. the construction of Royal Palace of Caserta begins.
The Royal Palace and park in Caserta, At 20 kms away from the city of Naples.
Close to Naples: Virtual Tour of the Staircase of Honour of Royal Palace of Caserta.
Close to Naples: Virtual Tour front of the Great Waterfall in the gardens of Royal Palace of Caserta
In 1757 A.D. the construction of Foro Carolino (now called Piazza Dante) begins.
City of Naples: Piazza Dante (Dante square)
City of Naples: how to reach the Dante square (in english Piazza Dante).
In 1799 A.D. the Neapolitan Republic was born.
NAPOLEONE BONAPARTE CONQUERED NAPLES
In 1806 A.D. Napoleon Bonaparte conquered the kingdom of Naples.
THE KINGDOM OF 2 SICILIES : BORBON RESTORATION
In 1815 A.D. after the Congress of Vienna, the Reign of the 2 Sicilies was born with the Bourbons back in power.
In 1816 A.D. Plebiscito square (in italian Piazza del Plebiscito) and the Basilica of Saint Francis of Paula were built.
Naples city: the Basilic of St Francis of Paola. How to reach the Plebiscito square
The city of Naples: virtual Tour front of the the Basilic of St Francis of Paola, in the Plebiscito square
In the same year (1816 A.D.) is realized on the Vomero’s hill The Villa Floridiana (the large park with a big terrace that overlook the golf of Naples).
In the city of Naples: villa Floridiana, on the Vomero hill. How to reach the park
In the city of Naples, on the Vomero hill there is the big terrace that overlook the golf of Naples, int the park of villa Floridiana.
In 1839 A.D. the first railway of the Italian peninsula was inaugurated. It connects Naples with Portici. In this city there is the Petrarsa Museum (Museum of Old Locomotives).
Close to Naples, in town of Portici there is the museum of old locomotives: Pietrarsa. How to reach it
Pietrarsa the Museum of museum of old locomotives in Portici, near the city of Naples: the virtual tours
In 1841 A.D. the Vesuvian observatory was inaugurated.
In 1860 A.D. with the expedition of the 1000 (led by Garibaldi) Italy reaches unity. The kingdom of Sardinia has conquered that of Naples and Sicily. Vittorio Emanuele II of Savoy becomes king of Italy.
In 1887 A.D. it was starting the construction of Umberto 1st gallery.
In the city of Naples: the Umberto I Gallery, How to get it. Be careful: pedestrian area.
Naples city: the Umberto I Gallery: the virtual tour.
In 1946 A.D. the Italian Republic is proclaimed. The Kingdom of Italy of the Savoys came to an end.