Naples Things to Do

If you're in Naples, this museum is an absolute MUST SEE! The best treasures from Pompeii and Herculaneum were brought here. There is a wonderful collection of mosaics, the most important of which is undoubtedly "Alexander the Great defeating Darius," taken from the "House of the Faun" in Pompeii. It is 10 feet high and nearly 20 feet long, with a million and a half tesserae! There's the astonishing and huge "Farnese Bull" sculpture group (the largest ancient sculpture ever found), as well as many other famous works, including paintings, bronzes, and jewelry. Be sure to sign up for the escorted tour of the delightful "Gabinetto Segreto" (Secret Room) with it's collection of ancient erotic art, including frescoes which adorned the walls of one of Pompeii's brothels (there's no extra charge for this). Even if the tour is only given in Italian, it's worth seeing. Usually open from 9 am to 8 pm, closed Tuesday. An audio guide in English is available.

Okay, so Jeff finally made it to Pompei. I've been meaning to visit for quite some time, but finally did in Nov 2002. I was quite impressed, and all the reading I did prior to the trip really made it more interesting. Bottomline - The people of Pompei were brilliant, and made some extraordinary contributions during their day.

It's better to go during summer months when the ruins are open until 7:30 p.m., as they close at 5:00 during winter months.

The National Archelogical Museum. Havent been there myself due to my kind of trip (there wasnt any time to go) but when i come back its on the top of my things to do list.

It houses the second largest archelogical collection of Italy (first one is the Vatican museum) so you can understand that alot of very well known pieces are in this museum e.g the Farnese collection.

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For many, many years entire families are making nativity scenes of all types and sizes, giving it original touch of Naples tradition. It's really worth seeing it and it's also nice oportunity to buy many of typical Naples' souvenirs.

It's been many years but I never forgot my visit to the National Archeological Museum in Naples (Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Napoli.) The most complete collections from the Classic Period. The collection from Pompei and Herculaneum began in Villa of Portici when excavations started in 1738 (moved to present building since.) Just to name a few highlights:

A most beautiful statue of Antinoo (favourite of Emperor Hadrian), classic Greek statuary interpreted in the baroque style of Hadrian's era.

The Wrestlers (Atleta) is bronze in motion! Unforgettable! (IV c. BC)

The Farnese Bull, probably the largest statue from ancient times.

The Farnese Hercules, gigantic and impressive.

Mural paintings, mosaics and ceramics from Pompei et al, famous depictions that you'll surely recognise. Very beautiful.

You would have time for a good pizza too. :)

Buon viaggio!

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The oldest church in Naples, Basilica di Santa Restituta dates from the 4th century AD, built on the orders of Constantine the Great. It is considered an important example of Paleo-Christian architecture, constructed over the ruins of more ancient structures. The basilica became a mere side chapel within the cathedral when the larger structure was constructed in the 13th century. In the original design, the basilica consisted of five naves, but in a 14th century renovation, the outer ones were closed up and converted into several side chapels of which one preserves a mosaic of the Madonna with Saints Gennaro and Restituta dating from 1322 AD. Subsequent renovations in the 17th and 18th centuries saw the addition of Renaissance and Baroque details, such as the stunning frescoed ceiling which rests over Gothic arches and recycled Roman columns. Basilica di Santa Restituta gives access to il Battistero di San Giovanni in Fonte and to the underground archaeological ruins of Graeco-Roman structures, discovered in the early 1970s.

[Note: when I visited in Apr 2010, the underground excavations were closed for an extended period for archaeological works.]

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One of the oldest baptistries in the western world to have survived intact, il Battistero di San Giovanni in Fonte dates from 550 AD (San Giovanni in Laterano in Rome has an older baptistry, but it was heavily remodelled). This one in Naples is accessed from the Basilica di Santa Restituta, and is thus part of the cathedral of Naples. The small square baptistry is topped by a dome covered in patches of mosaics that have survived since its construction in the 6th century AD. The baptistry and its mosaics are of great architectural value as they are of the few survivors from the early Christian period.

When in downtown Naples, don't pass up a chance to get inside one or two of the banks. They are some of the most beautiful buildings in Naples. The guards won't let you take photographs for security reasons, and I recommend you don't try to sneak one, as they won't just kick you out, they may take your camera or arrest you.