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 by ruki
You must try because it is real Napolitano food and it is delouses. Leave a Comment
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Pulcinella, often called Punch in English is a classical character that originated in the Commedia dell' Arte of the 17th century and became a stock character in Neapolitan puppetry. His name comes from his long beaked nose. His creation is sometimes attributed to an unknown Naples man in the early 1400's. Dressed a white hat, a white dress, and black shoes, and covering his face with a black mask, he would walk around Naples poking fun at the rich and the people in power. Life in Naples at his time wasn’t easy; the city suffered from economic and social depression and was often under the rule of many different kings. Because he helped people to forget about their problems, if only for a moment, Pulcinella became one of the most cherished symbols of Naples. Later he developed into the traditional crafty and rather vicious character we recognise as the English Punch, but the real Pulcinella is considered an archetype of humanity, with all its complex and contradictory features.
We saw several “Pulcinella” on the streets of the Centro Storico – this one was a street performer, another was working to attract visitors to a Christmas crib workshop in the Via San Gregorio Armeno, another busy luring people into a restaurant. I also spotted the masks for sale in several shops, in case you fancy acting out the role back home, as well as the more Venetian looking masks in my second photo.
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 Soccer: a quasi-religion by egicom05Leave a Comment
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 A glass of limoncello by toonsarah
Limoncello is served chilled and is a refreshing after-dinner choice, especially if you like a little sweetness in your drinks. I was pleased to have the chance to try one, but after our first evening reverted to my favourite Italian digestivo, Grappa.
You can read more about it, and get some interesting recipes for using limoncello, at http://www.limoncello.com/en/index.html (focuses on the limoncello of Capri but interesting nevertheless, and it’s all the same drink really).
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 Craftsman in the Via San
Gregorio Armeno, Naples by toonsarah, 2 more photos
What makes a presepe stand out from the regular nativity scene is its scale, and the way that the holy family is placed in a setting representing old Naples, with its architecture, its people and its traditions. The best and most complex pieces will hold your attention for ages. You may see herders leading cows to the pasture, a couple sharing a meal, children playing, maybe a fight in an inn, etc. In addition to these ordinary scenes, and the focal point always of the nativity itself, Neapolitans have for over 200 years included figures of people who made news during the year, such as a politician or celebrity – I read of Paverotti, Princess Diana, Mother Teresa and Elvis all being “honoured” in this way, though I didn’t see any examples.
During the 19th century the presepe became a standard Christmas fixture for most homes, when poorer families created their own scenes with miniature chalk, terracotta and papier-maché figures. Today on the Via San Gregorio Armeno you can see not only the workshops where skilled craftsmen produce these scenes but everything you need to create your own at home: little rocks, bark and wood, streams with flowing water powered by tiny motors, balustrades and columns, and figures of all kinds.
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 a shop selling nativity
scenes by Polly74
The size and detail of many of the scenes was amazing, and ofter the small figures of the scenes are politicians, showmen, singers and football players... Leave a Comment
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 Inside caffè Gambrinus by Polly74
One of the most famous, traditional coffee shops in Naples where a perfect "tazzuttella" of coffee is served is the elegant Caffè Gambrinus in Piazza Trieste e Trento, on the corner of Via Chiaia, not far from Piazza Plebiscito. Leave a Comment Phone: 081.417582
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This is one of the most reknowned Napolitan traditions, the presepio (or the manger) where even icons like Maradona and Al Bano are part of the entourage of the manger of the child Jesus.
The presepio is also known for its craftmanship which is incomparable. Each of the figurines are hand crafted artistically where the artisits hands are able to mould certain facial expressions that seem to be very intricate. The smaller the figure is, the more difficult it is to craft, however, the presepio is 100% hand crafted and its origin is always attributed to the craftmen of Naples. Leave a Comment
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 The statue of St. Gennaro
in the Cathedral by egicom05
Three are the fixed dates of the recurrent prodigy of the Saint (blood liquifying): eve of the first Sunday of May (first translation), on December 16 (anniversary of the vesuviana eruption 1631) and on September 19(martyrdom’s date). To liquefy, the blood can take few seconds, or half an hour, or some days, then people pray because this happens. It is worthwhile to spend two words on the so-called ones "parenti of St. Gennaro", that belong to the ethnic and cultural patrimony, sprung, during the centuries,from the popular pity; they use simple and confidential expressions "santo nuosto", "guappone", "faccia ngialluta” dialect prayers not to be marginalized, as voice of the Neapolitan alive language. It’s a group of believers women,that pray until the miracle happens. According to the popular tradition,the missed miracle is premonition of bad luck and misfortune for Naples and the surrounding zones. Another aspect of the traditions tied up to the miracle of St. Gennaro is represented by the procession that remembers the first translation of the relics of the martyr from Marciano to the catacomb in Naples. Anciently the clergy participated with garlands of flowers on the head,tradition abolished then. This procession, from the people also told "procession of the statues" for the presence of the silver statues of the holy compatronis, it is an authentic show of faith and folklore.
On the terraces carnations, roses and flowers of every kind, to the balconies blankets of damask or brocade,cloths of silk preserved for years and spread out to the air for the party. Intimate and dense of emotion,the procession crosses Spaccanapoli among the houses of the ancient center. People tightened around the saint in those little streets that gave more voice to the prayers and the songs. Petals of roses to the passage of the Patron and with the flowers the cry "Long live St. Gennaro! "
Egicom05 by Sun City Leave a Comment
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 by Polly74
The Cornetto is, without doubt, the most diffused Italian amulet. Its origins are ancient and go back quite to the times of Neolithic (the 3500 A.C.), when the inhabitants of the huts used to affix outside doors a horn like fertility auspice. Especially in those times the fertility came associated to the fortune in how much, the more people was fertile, more it was powerful and therefore lucky.
The horn draws its origins from the shape, it is believed in fact that the objects to tip, especially if having horn shape, defend from bad infuences.
In Naples you can find plenty of shops selling cornetti, and similar....don't forget to buy one, to bring lucky at home! Leave a Comment
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