10 Things No One Will Tell You But You Need To Hear About Naples, Italy- Mediterranean Sea 7
Porto di Napoli, Naples, Italy
Founded by the Greeks, enlarged by the Romans then developed to the full by the Kingdom of Aragon, Porto di Napoli has always been the gateway to the historic city of Naples. It is Italy‘s largest passenger (cruise ferry) and container port located in the southwestern part of the country.
One of the biggest passenger ports in Europe, Porto di Napoli handles millions of passengers annually. Located along Mediterranean Sea’s Gulf of Naples in Italy‘s Campania region it also handles dry and liquid bulk as well as Ro-Ro.
An Overview On Naples:
The 3rd largest city after Rome and Milan, Naples has been occupied by the ancient Greeks in the 8th century B.C. of which they named their new settlement as “Neapoli” (new city). Napoli (Italian) or Naples has been under many civilizations and kingdoms, after the Greeks came the Romans, Byzantines, Normans, Spain, Austria. And it has seen earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, foreign invasions and revolutions.
It wasn’t always a part of Italy. Naples was once a part of the Kingdom of Sicily, an independent one in 1137 then in the 1500s, it was annexed to the Kingdom of Aragon (Spain). During the War of Spanish Succession in 1714, Austria occupied Naples. When Italy was unified in 1861 it was only that time that Naples became a part of the Kingdom of Italy.
aFrom 1925-1936, it was expanded under the government of Fascist leader Benito Mussolini. Napoli suffered greatly from Allied bombings during World War II. After the war in 1945, reconstruction work to the city began. The historic center is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site which include historical sites like the Palace of Corenta and the ruins of Pompeii and Herculanaeum covered by ashes of Mt. Vesuvius when it erupted in 79 A.D.
After Sardinia (Cagliari) we sailed straight to Naples ( with the Front Hunter) in 2009. Also known as Napoli in Italian, this city by the Amalfi Coast is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Mediterranean region. Considered as a sphere of European history for having been under several civilizations that left their footprints on the city. While it may not have the glitz and glamour of Milan or Venice, Naples is equally spirited and lively. The birthplace of pizza and gelato here are 10 things no one will tell you but you need to hear about Naples, Italy.
1. Residents here are called “Neapolitans.”
The residents of Naples call themselves Neapolitans. And of course they gave to the world the Neapolitan pizza and Neapolitan ice cream (gelato), things no one will tell you but you need to hear about Naples, Italy.
2. There is a festival in Naples dedicated entirely for the pizza, Pizzafest.
And since Naples is the home of the pizza (first made in 1830 at Antica Pizzeria Port’ Alba) they have a sole celebration held yearly for it which is the Pizzafest. One thing no one will tell you but you need to hear about Naples, Italy, Pizzafest is held every September wherein 100,000 pieces of pizza in various flavors are made for consumption during the 11-day event.
3. Margherita pizza was named after a queen.
The world famous Margherita pizza was named after Queen Margherita Teresa Giovanni after her visit to Naples in 1889, a thing no one will tell you but you need to hear about Naples, Italy. It is regarded as a “patriotic pizza” as it represents the color of the Italian flag – the basil leaves for the green, mozarella cheese for white and tomato sauce for the red color of their flag.
4. Cappuccino coffee originated from the Amalfi coast in Naples.
Next time you drink a cappuccino, remember that it originated at the Amalfi Coast in Naples from the Cappuchin monks. They loved to add warm milk into their coffee which later on adapted by the world and named the new “discovery” after the monks. Cappuccino, chiunque? And a thing no none will tell you but you need to hear about Naples, Italy.
5. Naples has the best pastries in the world, the “sfogliatella” and “zeppole di San Giuiseppe”.
The best pastries in the world can be found in Naples. The sfogliatella (sfol-ya-tella) is a puff pastry which has the same appearance as the croissant but shaped like a shell or sometimes a lobster tail. It has a filling of whipped cream or custard cream with candied fruit peels and this is the symbol of Naples. Sfogliatella, something to satisfy your cravings and one thing no one will tell you but you need to hear about Naples, Italy.
6. Via San Gregorio Armeno is a shopping street in Naples for Christmas decors only.
Yes, there is a street in Naples with shops that sell Christmas decorations all year round. A thing no one will tell you but you need to hear about Naples, Italy.... Via San Gregorio Armeno is a road where you can shop till you drop on holiday knickknacks of all kinds and sizes.
7. Mt. Vesuvius is close to Naples.
Mt. Vesuvius, the volcano that destroyed the city of Pompeii and Herculenaeum in 79. A.D. is near the city of Naples. The ruins of Pompeii and Herculenaeum which are incorporated into Naples are one of the tourist sites you can visit when you are in the city. A thing no one will tell you but you need to hear about Naples, Italy.
8. It has the oldest mafia in Italy.
This city is also the home of the oldest Mafia in Italy. A thing no one will tell you but you need to hear about Naples, Italy. The Camorra mafia was founded here in the 17th century making it the oldest organized crime in Italy.
9. San Gennaro Catacombs was once an ancient underground burial site in Naples.
San Gennaro Catacombs is an underground in Naples which dates back to the 3rd century. One of the tourist sites and a thing no one will tell you but you need to hear about Naples, Italy, it contains ancient graves and sarcophagi with numerous dark and chilling tunnels.
10. Streets in Naples are the narrowest in the world.
Neapolitan streets are so narrow, they are enough only for a space of one car to pass through. A thing no one will tell you but you need to hear about Naples, Italy you must be very careful when walking along the city. Sometimes drivers here drive so fast and get ready to jump at the nearest door when they pass by, or just stay safe at the sides.
Whether you are a pizza lover, a history buff or just to unwind and explore someday, Naples has everything for you. A truly epic destination, “Vedi Nepoli e poi Mouri”. This is a famous phrase in Naples which is literally translated as “see Naples and die”. But actually it means that when you’ve been to Naples, you have already seen it all. And you have to find that out for yourself soon. Arrivederci.
Reference: Wikipedia