Highlights of this tour

  • A guided walk into the heart of Naples
  • Santa Chiara majolica and porcelain cloisters
  • Sansevero Chapel and the Veiled Christ
  • Historical introduction to Naples

SPACCANAPOLI: DESENTAGLING THE HEART OF NAPLES

SPACCANAPOLI: DESENTANGLING THE HEART OF NAPLES
If you are already familiar who other ancient Mediterranean metropolises such as Algiers, Alexandria, Athens, or Istanbul, then you already know what to expect from Naples: multiple civilizations developed through the millennia layers of architectures and urban solutions, which are now entangled with congested, modern city life: beauty and chaos go hand in hand. Each city is a unique mix of history, tradition, contradictions, and expectancies for the future.

What makes Naples special is certainly the wonderful natural scenery, a stunning blue bay towered by a huge, active volcano, the mythical Vesuvius. Pompeii is just a few miles away.

And what adds to Naples’ fame are for sure its inhabitants: Neapolitans are popular all over the planet both for good things, such as music, theater, great creativity, pizza and good food, enthusiastic joy of life. And for bad things, that include high crime levels, lack of general organization, poor reliability, tendency to superstitious beliefs. Are you ready for Naples?

A guided walk along Spaccanapoli, the ancient narrow and straight street that, like a long arrow, divides the enormous historical center of Naples into two sections, will serve as an introduction to the city, which boasts Ancient Greek foundations and an eventful history. It played a fundamental role in transmitting Greek culture to Roman society. It has always been one of the most populated cities in Europe and has been UNESCO heritage site since 1995.

During its 27 centuries long history Naples has faced many different rulers, and each of them has left its own artistic and cultural legacy: Roman, Byzantine, Lombard, Saracen, Norman, Spanish under the Aragonas, Austrian, Spanish again under the bourbons, conquered by Napoleon and then again Bourbonic. In 1860 Naples and Sicily became part of unified Italy

Our introductory walk along Spaccanapoli will often detour through scenic piazzas and alleys, touching some of the unmissable treasures of Naples, such as Santa Chiara Cloister and Sansevero Chapel. With the intent of catching that unique mix of nobility and misery, fervid religiousness and colorful superstition, that we might define “the soul of Naples.”

Spaccanapoli – literally ‘Split Naples’, it was one of the three ‘decumans’, the main roads that crossed the ancient ‘Neapolis’, founded in 580 BC. It starts at Piazza del Gesu’ Nuovo and possesses different names. Colorful, chaotic, energetic, it embodies the spirit of Naples.

Santa Chiara Cloister is an enchanting oasis of silence, beauty, and spirituality, making a strong contrast with the busy alleyways outside. The Majolica cloister is a Rococo gem by Domenico Antonio Vaccaro. The benches and columns are exquisitely decorated with tiles representing enchanting landscapes and cityscapes. A true photographer’s paradise.

Sansevero Chapel – the site owes its fame to three incredible statues commissioned by Raimondo di Sangro, Prince of Sansevero, in the 18th century: The Veiled Christ by Giuseppe Sanmartino, The Veiled Truth by Antonio Corradini, and The Release from Deception by Francesco Queirolo. The whole Chapel is dotted with freemasonry symbols and other secret messages that we’ll try to unveil for you. Booking well in advance is warmly recommended.

Cost of this tour

  • This tour lasts three hours and costs 260 euros up to six people (not per person).
  • Only private parties.
  • For larger parties send us an email!
  • Entrance fees per person: 21 euros.
  • San Severo Chapel closed on Tuesday.

Dress Code and advice

  • Short sleeves and knee high skirts/pants ok
  • No sleeveless garments, no shorts.
  • Comfortable shoes and a hat in the summer
  • Safe place to storage your valuables