Naples

Embark on an exploration of Chiesa del Gesu Nuovo, renowned as the most beautiful church and one of the iconic places to visit in Naples. Located in Piazza del Gesù Nuovo, the seemingly-sober exteriors of the fifteenth-century church hide away interiors that can compete with the beauty of the Vatican.While the piperno-stone façade of Chiesa del Gesu Nuovo dates back to the fifteenth century, the church was established in the sixteenth century, which explains the vast difference in the plain exteriors and lavish interiors. With its many frescoes, stunning gardens, and intricately-adorned rooms, Chiesa del Gesù Nuovo is a prime example of Baroque and Neapolitan Renaissance art. Admire the works of Neapolitan artists like Cosimo Fanzago, Luca Giordano, and Francesco Solima as you spot the final resting place of the famous local saint Giuseppe Moscati. Explore a recreation of the saint’s study and see a WWII bomb shell on display at Chiesa del Gesù Nuovo.

If you wish to witness the cultural traditions of Naples, head to the Catacombe di San Gennaro, one of the most popular places to see in Naples. Situated in the Rione Sanita, the Catacombs showcase a unique combination of pagan and Christian beliefs about death and the afterlife on two superimposed levels.Catacombe di San Gennaro has approximately 3,000 burials from different periods and varying characteristics and is the oldest pilgrimage site for Christians.Visitors can explore the Catacombs in three parts, namely the Lower Catacombs, the Upper Catacombs, and the Tomb of San Gennaro. One can see the oldest burials and the iconic Basilica of Santa Agrippina in the Lower Catacombs. Witness southern Italy’s earliest Christian paintings, the Crypt of the Bishops, and the Basilica Adjecta as you explore the Upper Catacombs. The Tomb of San Gennaro is the most sacred relic here and draws the majority of visitors to Catacombe di San Gennaro

One of the most peaceful and soothing places to visit in Naples is the Complesso Monumentale di Santa Chiara. Located in Via Santa Chiara, the iconic religious complex houses the stunning Basilica of Santa Chiara, tombs, a monastery, and a museum. Constructed in the fourteenth century, Complesso Monumentale di Santa Chiara shows Gothic and Baroque influences and draws millions of tourists annually.The most prominent highlight of the Complesso Monumentale di Santa Chiara is the massive Basilica, which shows Angevin porticoes as well as Baroque frescoes. The basilica is renowned for being bombarded during the Second World War and has since been reconstructed to mimic the original 14th-century structure. Another important feature is the Chiostro di Santa Maria, which are 72 octagonal columns with intricately decorated tiles depicting scenes from rural life. Visitors also get to explore the small archaeological museum which houses excavated remains of a spa complex from the first century

Enjoy a glimpse into the mediaeval past of Naples at Castel Nuovo, which ranks among the top tourist places in Naples Italy. Also known as the Maschio Angioino, the structure was constructed as a fortress residence in the 13th century, and has since seen numerous transformations that reflect the ever-changing history of Naples.A magnificent symbol of the Medieval Renaissance, Castel Nuovo stands in central Naples and draws hundreds of tourists daily. Among the top attractions of the castle are the magnificent Triumphal Arch and the massive towers that form part of the fortifications. Inside the castle, visitors get to explore the old Palatine Chapel (Church of Santa Barbara) and the Hall of the Barons which has beautiful frescoes inspired by antiquity. The Armoury Hall has numerous ancient artefacts that were unearthed from the Castel Nuovo, while the Chapel of the Souls in Purgatory and the famous Pit of the Crocodile are other highlights of Castel Nuovo.

Walk into the world of antiquity at the Naples National Archaeological Museum, one of the most important historical places to see in Naples. The world-renowned museum has two floors dedicated to artefacts and objects from Pompeii and Herculaneum, two Roman cities that were decimated in the AD 79 eruption of Mount Vesuvius. These floors have numerous frescoes and mosaics in different styles depicting the disastrous events of antiquity.Among the exhibits and displays at the Naples National Archaeological Museum are casts of people of Pompeii who tried to save their belongings during the Mount Vesuvius eruption, sculptures, computer animations, photographs, film footage, and bronze, ceramics, and glass objects. Other prominent highlights of the Naples National Archaeological Museum include the Farnese collection excavated in the 16th century, which features the famous Farnese bull of the Roman era. The museum also showcases a massive jewellery collection, which includes the largest gem in the world.

If you are an art lover, one of the top places to visit in Naples for you is the Pio Monte Della Misericordia. With four hundred years of history as a charitable organisation, Pio Monte Della Misericordia is also renowned as one of the most fascinating museums in the city.Admire the numerous styles of seventeenth-century Neapolitan art as you witness artworks by Ribera, Mattia Preti, Luca Giordano and Fracanzano. While the library has more than 17,000 volumes, another section has works of contemporary art by top artists like Jodice, Paladino, Kosuth, and Kounellis. The most prominent highlight of Pio Monte della Misericordia is undoubtedly its beautiful Baroque chapel, which has the world-renowned Caravaggio work, the Seven Works of Mercy. One of the much-loved tourist places to see in Naples, Pio Monte Della Misericordia draws hundreds of visitors and art lovers with its stunning architectural beauty and massive collection of art.

Renowned as one of the best places to visit in Naples for art connoisseurs, Museo Cappella Sansevero takes visitors on an exploration of eighteenth-century art masterpieces. Home of the iconic Veiled Christ, the museum forms part of the Sansevero Chapel and has an art collection that ranges from marble sculptures to human skeletons with their circulatory systems intact.Constructed originally as a chapel and later converted into a family mausoleum, the interiors of Museo Cappella Sansevero have stunning frescos, sculptures, and interior décor created by the finest artists of the time. Visitors can see the Masonic influences on the chapel’s architecture and can spot enthralling artworks like Antonio Corradini’s Modesty, Francesco Queirolo’s Disillusion, Divine Love, and the intricate High Altar.The prominent highlights one cannot miss in Museo Cappella Sansevero include the stunning marble sculpture of Veiled Christ, the intriguing Anatomical Machines, and the Il Disinganno, among numerous other sculptures and artworks.

Walk into a world of mysteries and intriguing anecdotes as you visit the Cimitero delle Fontanelle, which ranks among the unique places to see in Naples. An underground cemetery, the Cimitero delle Fontanelle is renowned for the innumerable human skulls and bones that can be spotted here. Situated in Rione Sanita, this ancient ossuary dates back to the 16th century and is a popular destination among adventurous and mystery-loving tourists.Much of the human remains here can be traced back to the seventeenth-century plague and the nineteenth-century cholera epidemic, which led to the cemetery becoming more extensive and a place associated with superstitions and rituals. While Cimitero delle Fontanelle does not boast of stunning art and architecture, it has fascinating stories hidden away in the shadows, which cannot be heard about anywhere else. Embark on guided tours of the iconic attraction and get a glimpse into a lesser-known side of Naples.