Hostel Of The Sun: Award-Winning Hostel In The Heart Of Naples, Italy

Situated in the Quartieri Spagnoli area of Naples, this beautiful church has a little more to offer upstairs….

The Naples underground has a history that most people don’t know much about. It wasn’t even until recently that Neapolitans themselves drew their attention to it, although it was born and has grown with the city of Naples itself. This simultaneous growth is most obviously demonstrated by the identical symbols and graffiti found on the underground’s quarry walls and on the walls of the city blocks above.

The Catacombs of San Gennaro are underground paleo-Christian burial sites in Naples and are the most important such sites in Italy south of Rome. They are situated in the northern part of the city, on the slope leading up to Capodimonte, on a site that is now easily identified by the large church of Madre del Buon Consiglio.
Originally there were three separate cemeteries, dedicated, respectively, to Gaudiosus of Abitine Severus of Naples, St. Januarius. These Catacombs in Naples are different from their Roman counterparts in that they have more spacious passageways along two levels.

Galleria Umberto I is a spacious and elegant public shopping gallery right across from the San Carlo Theatre. It was constructed between 1887-1891 and named after the King of Italy at that time, Umberto I. It was built with the intention of combining public space- businesses, shops and cafes, with private space- apartments on the above floors.

The Reale Teatro di San Carlo is Naples’ most well-known opera house and is located right in the nucleus of the downtown area. It has had the fortune of being recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its status as the longestconsistently operating venue of its kind in all of Europe. Over the years the Reale Teatro San Carlo has won many prestigious music awards.

Facing the colossal Piazza Plebescito is the rectangular red Palazzo Reale, or Royal Palace, of Naples. This palace was just one of the four residences of the Bourbon Kings when they ruled during the Kingdom of Two Sicilies. Like other palaces and castles of Naples, the Palazzo Reale has undergone many operations that have resulted in its current aspect. Today the palace houses The National Library of Naples, the Museo del Palazzo Reale, and along with adjacent grounds, part of the San Carlo Theater.

The Castel Nuovo is one of Naples’ most prominent landmarks. It sits conspicuously near the Bay’s shore and close to the downtown shopping area. If you have become sufficiently “Italianized” you will probably refer to this castle as the “Maschio Angioino”, as the locals call it. Take a walk under the famous two-storey triumphal arch, of Renaissance style, at the castle’s enterance, which was built to commemorate the arrival of Alfonso I of Aragon to Naples.

Napoli’s famous “Spaccanapoli”, one perfectly straight, long street, cuts right through the middle of the historic center. This street may be a paradise for those looking to buy authentic Neapolitan sweets, wine, souveniers, etc. It captures the essence of any historical center whose cobblestone streets lead the way to various ancient churches and monestaries. However, Naples’ Spaccanapoli can’t be mistaken for any other city thanks to the zooming Vespas and exaggerated Neapolitan hand gestures. Don’t miss the opportunity to wander into one of the various shops and sample some delicious limoncello!

Naples’ Duomo is the spiritual heart of the city. You may also say that it is the center of Neapolitan superstition. The cathedral is dedicated to the city’s patron, San Gennaro (St. Januarius), and a vial of his blood is held sacredly inside. You will also find a plethora of frescoes, canvesses, sculptures, and other works of art covering the interior and the various chapels.

Both Certosa di San Martino and Castel Sant’Elmo were architectural feats of their time and are still recognized today as impressive structures. Both sit at the highpoint of Naples, in the Vomero area, and lend the most spectacular views of the city and the Bay. The contrast between the ex-monastery and the ex-military prison sums up the true essence of Naples.

The majestic and tranquil “Castle of the Egg” is an ideal and convenient site to see, especially if you need a break from the hustle and bustle of Naples’ chaotic downtown. Once you have visited you will understand why this beautiful Spanish castle is often the focal point of pictures of the Bay of Naples. The castle appears to float gracefully over the water, as it sits atop the isletMegaride, linked to the mainland by bridge. Besides touring the picturesque halls of the Castel dell’ovo you may also have the chance to see one of the periodical art exhibits at the on-site museum.

If you enjoy history, archaeology and ancient relics you will definitely want to visit the National Archaeological Museum in Naples. The museum is one of the most important and leading archaeological museums in the world. It contains an unprecedented collection of Roman-Greco antiquities from Pompeii, Stabiae, Herculaneum and other archaeological sites located in and around the region of Campania. It is also the oldest arechaelogical museum in Europe.

The Museo d’Arte Contemporanea Donna Regina (M.A.D.RE) stands in the historical heart of Naples, close to the Cathedral and the Treasure of St.Gennaro, a hundred yards from the Museo Archeologico Nazionale. The museum is home to contemporary art with a rich permanent collection of works made specifically for this building as well as many periodic exhibitions.

The Palace and Museum of Capodimonte ‘Museo di Capodimonte’ is a grand Bourbon building in formerly the summer residence and hunting lodge of the kings of the Two Sicilies, set high above the city in beautiful gardens. It houses the main museum and art gallery of the city, and is the prime repository of Neapolitan painting and decorative art, with several important works from other Italian schools of painting, and some important Ancient Roman sculptures.