ABOUT NAPLES

Naples is an extremely ancient city: its origins date back to the ninth century BC, when the city of Partenope was founded in the area where today stands Castel dell'Ovo.

In the sixth century BC this city was abandoned, thus assuming the name of "Palepolis" (old town), and in the adjacent area was founded "Neapolis", which means new city.

Under the rule of the Roman Empire, the city of Naples experienced a period of economic and cultural prosperity. The beauty of its coastline made this area a very popular holiday destination. Luxury thermal spas sprung up around Naples which became famous throughout the empire and which attracted politicians and intellectuals such as Cicero and Virgil.

After the fall of the Roman Empire, Naples became an independent Duchy of Byzantium (763 AD), assuming a role of fundamental importance for the conservation of Byzantine dominion in Italy. This autonomous state under Byzantium lasted for almost four centuries, during which the city of Naples even further developed its economic and cultural activities.

The Byzantines were followed by the Normans in 1137, who annexed Naples annexed to the Kingdom of Sicily. The following centuries alternated between peace and war, until the Emperor Frederick II ascended the throne (1208); he gave birth to a flourishing period, especially from the cultural point of view, that culminated in the founding of the University of Naples (1224).

When Anjou dynasty took power (1266), the city became a capital again and developed widely in urban, demographic and economic terms. With the dynasty of Aragon (1443) Naples, as a capital of a vice-reign, enjoyed a period of great historic and cultural splendour: monuments and churches were built and the city became the meeting point for many artists (Caravaggio, Salvator Rosa, Bernini), philosophers (Giordano Bruno, Tommaso Campanella, Giambattista Vico), musicians (Scarlatti) and writers (Gian Battista Marino).

After a short period of Austrian rule (1707-1734), Naples finally became an autonomous Kingdom, thanks to Charles III of Bourbon.

In 1806, Napoleon gave the throne of the Kingdom of Naples to his brother Joseph Bonaparte, initiating a short period of French domination of the city (until 1815).

The restoration of the Bourbons, who ascended the throne of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, after a few years lasted until 1860, when Garibaldi entered the city.

Through a plebiscite, Naples was annexed to the Kingdom of Piedmont, which in 1870 became the Kingdom of Italy.