The Posillipo hill, photo taken from the islet of Nisida
Posillipo and the meaning of the name
Posillipo, the hill that the ancient Greeks called Pausilypon, the meaning of which could be "respite from danger" or "stop the pain", a name linked to the contemplation of the magnificent view. From here, in fact, it is possible to admire the whole gulf of Naples including the islands of Ischia, Procida, Nisida and that of Capri.
Posillipo and the island of Nisida, the legend
Legend has it that Posillipo was a young man in love with a girl: Nisida, who was very malicious, wicked and with a heart of stone. The young woman used to play with people's emotions so she did the same with Posillipo, who, sad and afflicted, decided to take his life, so he threw himself into the sea and he died.
But fate had other plans, the young man was turned into a promontory and the young girl into the island located front of Cape of Posillipo: Nisida.
Pausilypon archaeological park and the grotto of Seiano
What to see on the Posillipo hill?
Among the main sites to visit on the Posillipo hill, in addition to the many and breathtaking views, it is possible to visit:
- the cave of Seiano in Posillipo.
- the Virgilian Park, also called the Parco della Rimembranza.
- the Archaeological Park of Pausilypon
La grotta di Seiano a Posillipo
La grotta di Seiano, un tunnel lungo 800 metri che attraversa la collina di Posillipo, scavato dai romani e conduce al parco archeologico di Pausilypon.
Il parco archeologico di Pausilypon
Parco Archeologico del Pausilypon a Posillipo, con la villa di Vedio Pollione e il teatro Odeion raggiungibile percorrendo la grotta di Seiano.
Info e prenotazioni: Gaiola.org
The Virgilian park or park of Remembrance
The islet of Nisida seen from the Virgilian Park
In Posillipo (Naples, Italy) one find the Virgilian park, also called the park of Remembrance and it is one of the most beautiful panoramic places in the city. It was Built between the 1920s and 1930s, it was inaugurated in 1931. It was initially called Parco della Vittoria (Victory Park) or della Bellezza (Beauty park), later the name changed to Parco della Rimbembranza (Remembrance park) until they decided to call it Parco Virgiliano (Virgilian Park) in honor of the poet Virgil. Please pay attention, in Piedigrotta (in the lower part of the city of Naples) there is another park with the same name. That's the park of Virgil's tomb where the poet Leopardi is also buried.
The Palladini palace in "A place in the sun"
Villa Volpicelli is the Palladini palace in "A place in the sun", the Italian soap opera broadcast on Rai 3. It was built in 600 on the ruins of a Roman villa and is one of the most evocative palaces in Posillipo with a breathtaking view.
Ask Infos here: homeating.com
Palazzo donn' Anna
Palazzo Donn'Anna, located at the beginning of Via Posillipo, wanted by Anna Carafa, an Italian noblewoman, consort of the viceroy of Naples Gaspar de Guzmán y Pimentel. It was built in the first half of 1600 during the rule of the Habsburgs of Spain.
Unfortunately the building is not open to the public as it is a private condominium.
Posillipo, Naples and the submerged park of Gaiola
In this area it is also possible to visit the submerged park of Gaiola with experienced divers:
Info and reservations here: gaiola.org.
