Dear guest, the first question i asked myself was. What would i like to receive from a host when i travel? ...and so I built an optimized walk that is also useful for short periods spent in the city.
Clearly it also depends on how much time you have decided to spend visiting the "interiors" of over 480 churches in the city and the numerous Museums.
Starting from Casa Sassolini, walk up Mezzocannone Street, just 400 meters and you'll be in the Historic Center, specifically in San Domenico Maggiore Square, which is crossed by the main street known as Spaccanapoli.
Spaccanapoli, the main decumanus, is a long very straight road that divides the historic center of Naples from north to south, so called because it seems to split the city in two. It begins on Pasquale Scura Street in the Spanish Quarter, extends through Benedetto Croce Street and San Biagio dei Librai Street, passing iconic sites such as the Church of Gesù Nuovo, Santa Chiata Church and San Domenico Maggiore Square, and ends in the Forcella neighborhood.
I suggest starting your visit from:
Visit the Church of Gesù Nuovo and the Church of Santa Chiara with its Cloister
After visiting, follow the two routes set on MAPS
A) Church and Square San Domenico Maggiore
B) Veiled Christ - Cappella Sansevero
C) Piazzetta Nilo - Largo Corpo di Napoli
D) San Gregorio Armeno Street
with typical Nativity - Cribs
E) Girolamini Church
F) Duomo main Cathedral
with San Gennaro Museum
G) Pio Monte della Misericordia
with Caravaggio (painter)
H) Naples Underground
I) Dante Square
A) Dante Square
B) Pignasecca Market - explore
C) Toledo Street - Gallerie D'Italia Museum - Caravaggio
D) Galleria Umberto
Take from Mary Sfogliatella and Babà : )
E) San Carlo Theater
F) Plebiscito Square, Royal Palace
G) Santa Lucia you are near sea gulf admire
the Vesuvio up to the Fountain of Gigante
H) Elevator Monte Echia - admire the panorama
I) Castel Dell'Ovo
L) Walking near the sea by Caracciolo Street…
Sant'Elmo Castle.......a monumental construction that stands out on the Vomero hill.
The first news dates back to 1275, as a fortified Angevin residence, it was subsequently Roberto d'Angiò in 1329 who wanted the expansion and the task was entrusted to Tino di Camaino then engaged in the construction of the nearby Certosa di San Martino, another beautiful monument to visit for its Naval Section which includes various models of royal boats, for the Hall of Royal Coaches, for the Nativity Scene Section with the Cuciniello Nativity Scene, named after the donor who donated his immense collection to the museum in 1879.
The nativity scene is displayed in a spectacular specially built cave.
The current configuration with the six-pointed star system is instead due to the sixteenth-century reconstruction, commissioned between 1537 and 1547 by Don Pedro de Toledo during the Spanish viceroyalty.
The castle was often used over the following centuries as a prison. After being a Bourbon garrison, it was a military prison until 1952. Subsequently, the fortress passed to military state property until 1976, the year in which an impressive restoration project began by the Supervision of Public Works of the Campania Region.
The works made it possible to recover the original structure, making the ancient paths, patrol walkways and underground passages visible.
What makes this monumental site unique are the stands, in fact with a breathtaking walk along its star-shaped plan you can admire the spectacular panorama of the entire surrounding area, from the islands to Vesuvius, from the Campi Flegrei to the Matese mountains.
From Monday to Sunday from 8.30 to 19.00 it is possible to visit these two spectacular sites, only the Certosa remains closed on Wednesdays. However, check the timetables on the web and plan your excursion, reach Vomero by funicular, or with the Metro line 1, getting off at the Vanvitelli stop...then follow a short 10-minute walk.
A little tip for expert walkers eager for discovery. Try to enjoy your return to the center by choosing one of the two staircases in Naples that descend steeply from the Castle down the hill to the center, offering breathtaking views.
This is the first easily visible staircase and is located under the belvedere square of the Certosa di San Martino. Once you reach Corso Vittorio Emanuele, go left for 400 meters and then continue along the Montesanto stairs until you reach Pignasecca.
View of Pedamentina
Also starting from Sant'Elmo Castle, we can descend the Scala del Petraio, a true gem, a village frozen in time, far from the chaos of the big city. This staircase ends at Corso Vittorio Emanuele, 900 meters to the right of the Pedamentina. Cross the Corso Vittorio Emanuele and then wander through the alleys of the Spanish Quarters, descending to Via Toledo or Via Chiaia, and finally ending at Piazza del Plebiscito.
The residential district of Capodimonte is located on a hill, known for its immense forest containing the majestic Capodimonte Museum, built starting in 1738 at the behest of King Carlo di Borbone as a place to house the Farnese collection, it was subsequently used as a palace until 1957, the year from which it hosted the National Museum of Capodimonte with works by Caravaggio and Tiziano and much more. The Real Bosco di Capodimonte is an immersive walk between nature and history, it is a large public park with tree-lined avenues, fountains and a panoramic view of the city.
Nearby we find the Basilica of Capodimonte and the entrance to the catacombs of San Gennaro ancient underground cemetery area which dates back to the 2nd-3rd century and represents the most important monument of Christianity in Naples.
The website indicates some of the ways to reach the Capodimonte Museum, but from CasaSassolini if you want to save time (except traffic : ) and limit the changes of means, you could consider a taxi, here is a Radio Taxi La Partenope number - call center +39 081 01 01.
This page is titled "one day in Capodimonte" because this is how I imagine planning an entire day's visit to this part of the city.
Reach the park early in the morning and plan your day by dedicating your time to a walk in the park and a visit to the Museum.
Once your visit is over, exit the park and head to the Basilica of Capodimonte, and then, on the left, you will find a large gate with the ticket office for the next visit, the Catacombs of San Gennaro.
However, I am forced to make a small "spoiler", it crosses the bowels of the earth along the path of the catacombs, this will end at the San Gennaro dei Poveri hospital in the Sanità district, an area located north of the viceregal walls of Naples which extends from Borgo dei Vergini to the slopes of the Capodimonte hill, built at the end of the 16th century in a valley, used since Greco-Roman times as a burial place, take the opportunity to visit the Basilica of Santa Maria della Sanità and the Catacombs of San Gaudioso.
The neighborhood was initially intended to welcome important noble families and wealthy bourgeois of the city (evidence of this, the majestic Palazzo Sanfelice in route Arena della Sanità and Palazzo dello Spagnolo in Vergini zone), over time it has become one of the most popular areas of Naples in fact, a trip to the Vergini market is a must.
Once the visit is over I suggest you go up to Materdei neighborhood to taste one of the best pizzas in Naples (Pizzeria Starita a Materdei) (see my pizzerias guide for the link on maps).
You may ask - Why do I get up here?
My answer - The pizza is very good….and you will be tired : )
Just near pizzeria you will find the metro line 1 which takes you back to Casa Sassolini
Always check all the visiting times of the various websites online
...every first Sunday of the month, you can enjoy free admission to state-owned museums, archaeological parks, and cultural sites thanks to the Ministry of Culture's "Sunday at the Museum" initiative.
How the initiative works
Free admission: Admission is free for everyone to state-owned museums, archaeological parks, and other cultural sites.
Initiative: It is promoted by the Ministry of Culture to promote awareness and enjoyment of Italy's artistic and cultural heritage.
Where to find information: For a list of participating locations, opening hours, and admission procedures, please consult the Ministry of Culture's official website.