From B&B La Corte you reach Naples in just 25 minutes and immerse yourself in one of Italy’s most fascinating and contradictory cities. A UNESCO heritage site that captivates you with its overwhelming energy and hidden treasures.
The historic center of Naples, the largest in Europe, is a labyrinth of stories that intertwine between Spaccanapoli and the Decumani. Start your visit at the Naples Cathedral, an undisputed symbol of the city that includes the Basilica of Santa Restituta and the Royal Chapel of the Treasure of San Gennaro, where the blood of the patron saint is preserved. If you are lucky enough to be in Naples on September 19, the first Sunday in May or December 16, you can witness the miracle of the liquefaction of San Gennaro’s blood, an event that has thrilled Neapolitans for centuries.
The Sansevero Chapel houses the Veiled Christ, a sculptural work of unparalleled beauty created by Giuseppe Sanmartino. The veil that envelops the figure of Christ seems so real that many believe it was transformed into marble by a secret alchemical process. This little gem also hides esoteric mysteries related to the Prince of Sansevero, a famous 18th-century alchemist.
Spaccanapoli cuts a straight line through the city from the Quartieri Spagnoli to the neighborhood of Forcella. As you walk along this artery of the ancient heart, you will come across aristocratic palaces, Baroque churches and artisan stores that preserve centuries-old traditions. Here every stone tells a different story, from Greek to Angevin times, from Spanish rule to the Bourbons.
Don’t miss Naples Underground, one of the world’s largest underground systems with more than 40 miles of tunnels. This parallel world hides Greco-Roman aqueducts, World War II air-raid shelters and even an ancient Roman theater where Nero performed. Access is through a trapdoor hidden under a bed in a typical downtown home.
The Capodimonte National Museum, surrounded by a magnificent forest, houses one of Italy’s most important art collections. Here you can admire works by Caravaggio, Titian, Raphael and Rubens, immersed in frescoed rooms that were the royal residences of the Bourbons. The park surrounding the museum offers spectacular views of the city and is the green lung where Neapolitans like to relax.
San Gregorio Armeno, known as “the street of the shepherds,” is tradition, atmosphere and art 365 days a year. On this street in the historic center, artisans create nativity scenes and terracotta figurines depicting not only traditional characters, but also contemporary figures and celebrities. It is an open-air museum where you can breathe in authentic Neapolitan life.
The waterfront of Via Caracciolo, Via Partenope and Mergellina, finally free from traffic, has become the city’s most interesting attraction. From here you can admire the Gulf of Naples with Vesuvius in the background, Castel dell’Ovo emerging from the sea and the island of Capri on the horizon.
The Quartieri Spagnoli pulsate with authentic life among narrow alleys, flower-filled balconies and the aroma of real Neapolitan cuisine. Here you’ll find historic pizzerias such as Sorbillo and Da Michele, where you can enjoy pizza margherita in its homeland of origin. From the Vomero, reached by funicular, the breathtaking view embraces the entire Gulf.
Naples surprises you at every corner: from the Maschio Angioino to the Teatro San Carlo, from the Galleria Umberto I to Piazza del Plebiscito. And when you return to B&B La Corte, the tranquility of Sant’Antimo will seem even more precious after the overwhelming energy of the Neapolitan city.
