MUSEUMS AND HISTORICAL SITES

The Museum of Capodimonte, opened in 1957 in the royal palace of the Bourbons. The artistic treasures comprise a large part of the celebrated Farnese collection which was transferred to Naples from Parma, Piacenza and Rome. There are paintings originating from monasteries and churches in the city, and acquisitions and donations effected since the Unification of Italy.

The old Donnaregina building in the heart of Naples has been transformed by Portuguese architect Alvaro Siza into a splendid modern space. Opened in 2005, the MADRe is the city’s first museum of contemporary art. Linking the old with the new, it has quickly become an important centre for cultural events and hosts artists of the calibre of Andy Warhol, Julian Schnabel, Haim Steinback, Francesco Clemente and Mario Schifano. The last two of these are also represented in the reception of the Romeo Hotel Naples.

Founded in 1325 by Charles of Anjou, Duke of Calabria, on the hilltop that overlooks the entire Bay of Naples, visible from the windows of the ROMEO hotel, the Charterhouse of San Martino has been enriched over the centuries by artistic, historical and architectural heritage of absolute prestige, including marble and stucco, frescoes and paintings, sculptures and precious furniture. The Neapolitan Republic of 1799 changed his destiny: the friars were accused to have Republican sympathies, and were expelled from the monastery, that after various events, in particular, the Unity of Italy, was definitely closed down. Thanks to the wealth of art treasures and the enchanting position, the monastery has become a favourite destination, since 1500, by writers, scholars and travellers.

Born as the residence of Francesco di Sangro, Prince of Sansevero.  During the years, the Palazzo Roccella was purchased by the city council which converted it into a museum in 1998 to host a documentation center for contemporary arts and destined to host temporary exhibitions.

Born as the residence of the Kng of Spain in the 17th century and designed by Fontana.  Since 1919 the noble floor was destined as the museum of the royal apartments.  Amongst the most interesting rooms are the “Teatrino di Corte” of the 18th century and the Royal Chapel of the 17th century.

With its 44 hectares of excavated area and the remarkable state of preservation of its buildings, due to the particular burial (under a 6 meters high blanket of lapilli and ash) caused by the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD, Pompeii can be called the unique archaeological site that gives us the image of a Roman city in its entirety. An image that was not unlike of other cities in the same period, but that time has not kept.

Sansevero’s Chapel is located in the heart of the city.  Its popularity originates from its genial creator, Raimondo de Sangro, prince of Sansevero.  De Sangro was an alchimist and passionate about art and literature.   The Cappella hosts some unique treasures, amongst which is the “Veiled Christ” and mysterious models which till today crate doubt on whether they are true mummies or perfect reproductions.

The most important archaeological museum in Italy.  Many important collections are displayed here including the extraordinary Farnese with its archeological finds from the Mt. Vesuvius area and Herculaneaum.   The museum also hosts an important Egyptian and Palatine Museum collection.

Built in the 13th century and dedicated to Our Lady of the Assumption, even if it is commonly referred to  as San Gennaro, patron of Naples. The cross interior has three naves: the middle with a palatial wooden ceiling with paintings of Giordano, the right nave with the Cappella and Treasure of San Gennaro.  Famous all over the world for the miracle of the liquefaction of the blood, representing the heart throbbing of the Neapolitan devotion. Unique, for its historical, artistic and cultural value, is the silver collection, that represents only part of San Gennaro treasure. This dedication to the saint was built after the vow of the Neapolitans, made in 1527 to avert the damages of the plague. The Greek cross Chapel with the elegant and bright cupola is considered a separate Church and represents a great expression of 17th century Naples where the reliquary bust of S.Gennaro may be viewed.

Inaugurates in 1737 by the architects Medrano and Carasale.  Following a fire in 1816, Niccolini took this opportunity to enrich the interiors.  Cammarano was commissioned to crate the ceiling’s curtain while Mancinell the main stage curtain, which features Parnassus.  The theatre accommodates 1,379 seats and has just been in restored in 2010 to bring it to its original splendour.

Born as the Royal Gardens and commissioned by King Ferdinand I of the Two Sicilies.  Located on the waterfront from Chiaia to Mergellina.  It used to open once a year for viewing by the public and since the unification of Italy in 1869 it became a public park and promenda.

This is a most unusual visit that takes you through the creative production of the last 50 years of plastics design. The museum is in the centre of Naples.
The multi-functional space of a thousand square metres is dedicated to scientific research and technological innovation for the recovery, restoration and conservation of works of art and design produced in synthetic materials. With over 1500 objects on display, this is an ambitious project where art meets technology in a collection made entirely of plastic.

The city, equipped with modest walls, was built on a volcanic plateau overlooking the sea and at the foot of Mt. Vesuvius, confined on the east and on the west side by two rivers. The size of the city was quite moderate. It has been hypothesized that the total area enclosed by the walls was about 20 hectares for a population of about 4000 inhabitants; nowadays only 4.5 hectares are still visible, while some important public buildings, excavated for tunnels in the eighteenth century, are now inaccessible (the Basilica of Nonius Balbus, the so-called Basilica) or are outside the archaeological park (Theatre and the Villa of the Papyri).