Francesco di Paola. The square is also home to the oldest opera house in Europe, Teatro di San Carlo, which was built 40 years before Milan’s La Scala, commissioned by King Charles III. Also close by is the large shopping centre Galleria Umberto I, which was modelled on Mi- lan’s Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. Lungomare and castles Heading towards the sea, you will come across the Castel Nuovo, the new castle, dating back to the 13 th century, which was the seat for kings of Naples, Aragon and Spain until 1815. If you alternatively head from the square along the Lungomare promenade, you will encounter the 12 th century Castel dell'Ovo, egg castle, which is also a landmark of the city. If you continue along the seafront, the promenade will lead you through the city’s beautiful coastal districts of Chiaia and Mergelli- na, all the way to the affluent neighbourhood of Posil- lipo, which is adorned with luxurious villas that seem to almost rise from the sea to offer views of the unre- al Vesuvius. If you return to the Piazza del Plebiscito and head along the ancient pedestrian street of Via To- ledo, you will arrive in the city’s historic centre, Centre Storico, which encompasses an area of 1,700 hectares. It thereby represents the largest historical centre of any European city and has been included on the list of UN- ESCO World Heritage Sites since 1995. Largest historical centre in Europe The most famous street is certainly Spaccanapoli, the main street that splits the centre of Naples in two, and no place is better able to describe the soul and es- sence of Naples. As you traverse Spaccanapoli, you will encounter ancient palaces, the monastery and church of Santa Chiara and, of course, the famous Sansevero Chapel, which houses the famous sculpture of the veiled Christ, which is the reason visits have to be reserved two months in advance. While strolling the narrow streets, you will also come across the Gothic Naples Cathedral, Duomo di Napoli, observe locals working in craft shops and smell the aromas of Neapolitan cuisine. You will dis-
cover that Naples is the birthplace of street food, and be sure not to miss out on queuing for pizza in front of the famous Pizzeria Sorbillo or Pizzeria Da Michele, where the world’s first pizza was made. When Queen Margherita of Savoy visited Naples with her husband Umberto I in 1889, she asked the most famous chef to prepare his speciality for her. He devised a pizza in the colours of the Italian flag, with mozzarella cheese, to- matoes and basil, which he called the pizza Margherita. Located nearby is the Spanish Quarter, Quartieri Spagnoli, which was once feared but is now the liveliest part of the city. Murals of the informal 'Patron Saint of Naples', Diego Maradona, are everywhere, as are graffi- ti street art works, flags of football club Napoli and the shirts of footballers. Even if you’re not a fan of football, in this city you’ll discover that the football club from Na- ples, better known as the Azzurri, won the Italian cham- pionship after a thirty-year break when Maradona came to play for the club. He was more than a mere football- ing hero in this city. He was a symbol and an inspira- tion not only to supporters, but also to ordinary citizens who identified with his passion, strength and courage. Daytrips Visit Pompei – Approximately a 30-minute drive from Naples is the ancient city of Pompei, which was destroyed by an eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD and to- day represents one of the most important archaeolog- ical sites – not only in Italy, but anywhere in the world. Here you will see the ancient forum, the public square that hosted political and social events, as well as many wonderful villas that once belonged to wealthy Romans. Climb Mount Vesuvius – One of the world’s most famous volcanoes is located close to the city. If you are planning to tour Pompeii, you can visit Vesuvius on your way there. You will reach the top after a 20-min- ute ascent, and there can enjoy magnificent views over the entire Gulf of Naples. It is also possible to see the
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