Hello dear friends,
In my previous post, we left off with my visit to the prestigious Capodimonte Museum, one of the most relevant museums in Naples. There, I accompanied you in the discovery of numerous works by renowned artists, including the great Titian, but also lesser-known Neapolitan painters. It is undoubtedly a place worth visiting, especially if you plan to spend your vacation here in Naples. The artistic variety and beauty of the exhibited works will leave you enchanted, providing moments of pure inspiration. Don't miss the opportunity to admire these precious creations that hold the history and soul of this fascinating city!
But in this other post, I want to take you through the streets of Naples, where you usually breathe a very characteristic atmosphere. During my exploration, I visited several churches here in Naples, and of course, I couldn't miss the most important one, the Duomo. However, if you follow this post, you will discover other churches that, in my opinion, are equally important, and it's definitely worth visiting and exploring their interiors.
Let's start with the fact that Naples has several streets, the most symbolic of which are eight, but among them, the most important one is undoubtedly Via Toledo, with many shops and characteristic restaurants. For example, there's also Corso Vittorio Emanuele, each with its own characteristics and unique shops. One of these shops contains numerous handcrafted figurines for nativity scenes, made by artisans who have their workshop in these streets. Then, of course, there are many souvenirs related to superstitions, such as lucky charms like horns or lucky numbers. These, too, are often handcrafted by local artisans. One thing I can say about Neapolitans is that they are very imaginative and can invent anything to create a business.
Near the Spaccanapoli district, a very characteristic neighborhood in Naples, I visited the Monastery of Santa Chiara, a beautiful complex of tombs and an archaeological museum. One striking feature of this monastery is its spartan interior, but what impressed me the most was that it didn't have an apse like a regular church. I only regret not having visited the Cloister of this important monastery, as it is entirely covered with majolica tiles. Many of you may have already seen it in some photos, perhaps on social media, but certainly, this monastery is a must-visit in Naples.
Then, I visited the Duomo, commonly known as the Cathedral of San Gennaro because it is connected to the figure of this saint. However, this is the most important church in the city. It has been damaged several times due to various earthquakes that have struck the area, as it is close to an active volcano. Naturally, the Chapel of the Saint is not open to visitors; it is only opened when the miracle occurs, which happens twice a year. You can get a glimpse of it from the outside, while its valuable treasures are housed in a dedicated museum.
In the evening, I managed to take a tour of the characteristic Spanish Quarters, although unfortunately, the weather didn't help as it was raining. Many people say these are dangerous places because of high crime rates, but in reality, I didn't encounter any problems or danger, even though it was evening. The Spanish Quarters are famous for their vibrant streets and bustling markets, which are the liveliest in all of Naples but only open during the day. They got their name because, in the sixteenth century, when Naples was under the rule of the Bourbons, this neighborhood was built to accommodate soldiers arriving from Spain. Over time, it became a dangerous and infamous place, but fortunately, it has been redeveloped and now it's filled with bars, restaurants, and typical markets that you can find only during the day.
I hope you enjoyed my story and that it didn't bore you. I also hope you liked my photos, and I wish that you get to see these places in person, as they are very characteristic and traditional. They are definitely worth a visit. Tomorrow, I will bring you a post about a very important place near Naples, which some of you may have already guessed.
Have a great day, and see you soon.