Spaccanapoli - Piazza del Gesu
by yooperprof
This Baroque obelisk - the Guglia dell'Immacolata - stands at the western end of the Neapolitan avenue known as "Spaccanapoli." The Piazza del Gesu in which it stands is considered to be the entrance point of the oldest part of the city, the quarter which still retains much of its ancient and early medieval character and atmosphere.
Although the construction of the obelisk was organized by the Jesuits of the nearby "Gesu Nuovo," it was financed through donations from the ordinary townfolk who lived in its midst, and there it has the character of a popular religious icon or devotional object. The obelisk still plays an important role in what must be called the peculiar "religiously civic" life of Naples: every year, on December 8th, the Feast Day of the Immuculate Virgin, a ladder is leaned against the statue, and both the Mayor and the Cardinal of the city both climb the ladder to the top so that they may jointly place a wreath of honor on the figure of Mary at the pinnacle.
Sorrento, A beautiful city on...
by sargentjeff
Sorrento, A beautiful city on the opposite side of the Golfo di Napoli is a great place for Inlaid wood, Limoncello, Great Pizza, and beautiful views. See Sorrento and the entire Amalfi coast when in Naples.
According to my friend, Yosuke....
by xxgirasolexx about Matozzi's
I didn't eat here, but according to my classmate, Yosuke, this is the best pizza in Napoli. Yosuke is a chef from Japan studying in Napoli to learn the technique of making a perfect pizza. We only studied one month together, but he would always talk about this restaurant and claimed he went here at least once a week.
The New Castle
by Balam
Before the accession of Charles I of Anjou to the throne in 1266, the capital of the Kingdom of Naples was Palermo. There was a royal residence in Naples, at the Castel Capuano. However, when the capital was moved to Naples, Charles ordered a new castle, not far from the sea, built to house the court.
Works, directed by French architects, began in 1279 and were completed three years later. Due to the events of the Sicilian Vespers, the new fortress remained uninhabited until 1285, when Charles died and was succeeded by his son, Charles II. Castel Nuovo became soon the nucleus of the historical center of the city, and was often the site of famous events. For example, on December 13, 1294, Pope Celestine V resigned as pope in a hall of the castle. Eleven days later, Boniface VIII was elected pope here by the cardinal collegium and immediately moved to Rome to avoid the Angevine authority.
Under king Robert (reigned from 1309), the castle was enlarged and embellished, becoming a centre of patronage of art. In 1347 Castel Nuovo was sacked by the army of Louis I of Hungary, and had to be heavily restored after the return of queen Joanna I. The new works permitted the queen to resist the Hungarian siege during Louis' second expedition. The castle was besieged numerous times in the following years, and was the official residence of King Ladislas from 1399. It decayed under his sister Joanna II. Under the Aragonese dynasty, begun by Alfonso V in 1442, the fortress was updated to resist the new artillery. A famous triumphal arch, designed by Francesco Laurana, was added to the main gate to celebrate Alfonso's entrance in Naples. The castle was again used as a residence by Charles III, who became King of Naples in 1734.
The last restoration was in 1823.
Superb palace-type architecture
by extrajoce
Staccanapoli, the city's historical centre, has magnificent palaces dating back from its grand days. Although many have not been well maintained, they are still showcases of architecture. With just 3 or 4 floors, they still stand as tall as many more recent constructions, giving just a hint of how splendid it must be inside. This building is just opposite the Duomo.
Sign in with Facebook
Prior's Quarter
Castel dell'Ovo
Porta Nuova
Galleria Umberto I (Naples, Italy)
