Neapolis    Naples

Love it or hate it, Naples has for too long been considered Italy’s ugly little sister. Perhaps deservedly so at times, but the reality of Naples is a delightful confusion of "Paradiso","Pergatoria" and "Inferno".

Forget the passé clichés. The negative stereotype of Naples is fast disappearing. High tech architecture vies with ancient Greco Roman ruins and palaces in a kaleidoscope of styles, eras and cultures. But one hopes that Naples never loses her bewitching intrigue or blemishes herself by becoming too respectable!

Naples is chaotic from the inside out. The constant stream of cars, trucks and Vespas, racing around the city where traffic lights are only a suggestion, along with the double yellow lines on the road….. Much of the city center has no pavements for pedestrians, accommodating both traffic and people…an elegant dance at times, a run for your life at others.

This mind boggling muddle of history remains an affordable treasure trove, a gourmet’s delight and of course the gateway to Southern Italy. The vibrant mixture of Greeks, Etruscans, Romans, Arragonese and Bourbons have all left their influence on Italy’s most beloved and capricious city. The views from all corners of the city are of the Bay and Vesuvio.

Many of the buildings in the city center are original Palazzi built between the 12th and 14th Century, and belonged to the aristocracy. Nowadays most are family homes or B&B’s not only cherished by their owners, but lived in. The past is not so much history but a continuation of everyday life. Imagine yourself waking up in a room with vaulted ceilings, and frescoes depicting the Gods on high… a magnificent backdrop for your morning Capppucino…

The Neapolitan’s are so genuinely kind, generous and warm hearted that one feels slightly off balance in today’s self-centered and unsympathetic society. Centuries of courtly manners are obvious even in the rudest market stall. A smile when you least expect it, and if you’re a female, the inevitable wolf whistle can always be relied on.

Neapolitans are larger than life, expressive and passionate. They’ll gesticulate madly with their hands and raise their voices, but it’s seldom an argument, merely a discussion….

Naples shares the same unenviable problems of all modern cities. You will not need to be told if there is a strike of garbage collectors, there’s an abundance of petty crime (but without violence on the scale of American cities), and driving in the city is not for the faint of heart. Washing hangs from virtually every balcony, stray cats are everywhere, street urchins (scugnizzi) selling a variety of contraband goods and yet just around the corner you will find a magnificent building, or a view of Amalfi coast, maybe even Ischia or Capri. A city of such contrasts can never be boring, and the unpredictability of it is part of the magic. Perhaps the term "serendipity" was created for Naples? Where else in the world would real estate agents have over 110 palaces on the books for sale?

We make no apology for citing Pizza as the number one specialty dish of Naples. Nothing, nowhere, no how can compete with the locally made product. Pizza is basically a modern adaption of the Mediterranean–Middle Eastern flatbread and has been around for millennia. But in 1889, tohonor Italy’s Queen consort Margherita of Savoy, the Neapolitan chef Raffaele Esposito created the "Pizza Margherita". Made from a flatbread topped with tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese and basil, it represented the colors of the Italian flag - witness the birth of our modern day pizza cult!

The best ones are located in the Chiara district, which runs into the Piazza Plebiscito, one of the most magnificent public squares on earth. The square is graced with the Royal Palace, begun in the year 1600 for the Viceroy of Spain. A few steps away is the Caffe Gambrinus - the be all and end all of coffee houses, and where the first Euro was spent!

In 1984, the city of Naples formed the "Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana" (true Neapolitan pizza association), raising the dish to a world class standard. The association only recognizes Marinara and Margherita versions. Like all guarantees of origin, it has specific rules that must be followed, to be called an authentic "Neapolitan pizza". It must be hand kneaded dough, thinly stretched (without a rolling pin) and baked in a wood-fired oven at 475º for no more than 60 to 90 seconds and it must not exceed 35 centimeters in diameter or more than one-third of a centimeter thick in the middle.

Glass dome of Galleria Umberto I Elegant gift shops Italian designer clothing You can be forgiven for thinking that you’re in Milano when inside the magnificent Galleria Umberto 1 in Naples. Look up and you will see the incredible arched glass dome, look down and the floor is covered with mosaics in zodiac style. The galleria was the largest of it’s kind in the world when completed in 1887.

Splendid designer shops carrying the same high quality designer clothing as you will find in Milano, along with boutiques offering antiques and specialty items but prices, are considerably less costly in Naples.

The first legend – The Good Mucinello

"We have many legends about o’Munaciello. Esoteric person, hated for his nastiness and loved for his kindness because sometimes used to give little gifts to families. He looks like an old man dressed with monk’s clothes and a big hood to cover his ugly face. He likes women in general - he loves to touch and feel a beautiful girl’s body leaving money for their gratitude. The occult Theory says’ Munaciello was a real demon because used to give gifts to get their souls back. Anyway, people still believe first theory in which O’ Munaciello comes in the house leaving money or little change without asking nothing in return".

"In 1445 when Naples was dominated by the Aragon’s, Catherina Frezza, the daughter of a rich merchant fell in love with a beautiful young boy. The love of the two love birds came to an end because the father didn’t approve it. The boy was killed in the very place where he was to meet Catherina in secret. She was pregnant and heart broken. She became a nun and gave birth to a deformed child. The nuns they looked after him, dressed him with monk’s clothes and a big hood to cover his ugliness. He had magic power and used to leave money or steal things depending on the situation".

For more information contact Alexandra at 804-346-8714 or click here to enquire.