Naples

Naples is the third largest city in Italy, with a population of approximately one million. Located in the glorious Bay of Naples, the city is overlooked by Mount Vesuvius, the volcano famous for burying Pompeii. The city was founded 3,000 years ago by Greek merchants and is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world.

Naples has had a variety of different names and roles throughout its long history. It was capital of the Kingdom of Naples from 1282 to 1816. It then spent the next 45 years as the capital of the Kingdom of Two Sicilies - a union between Sicily and the Kingdom of Naples. Finally, it became part of a unified Italy in 1861.

Historic Naples 
The historic centre of Naples boasts splendid palaces, castles and churches, as well as the magnificent Duomo. There is also an unusual underground city. The centre of Naples has been awarded UNESCO World Heritage status.

An ancient city
The National Archaeological Museum in Naples is one of the most important archaeological museums in the world. Among its collections are bronzes, sculptures and many other objects from the Bourbon collection, from Pompeii and from Ercolano.