Naples
Naples
Naples – this is Italy’s third-largest city, located within the Campania region just two hours south of Rome. Its Italian name (Napoli) originally came from the Greek word Neapolis (which means “new city”). Unlike Milan (which is the de facto center of modern Italy), Naples’ history goes back to Ancient Greece – when it became a Greek trading outpost some centuries before the rise of the Roman Empire. The city’s Roman period is best remembered by the remains of the city of Pompeii (which was destroyed by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius during the year 79 AD).
Located on the coast on the northern edge of the city is the Bay of Naples — one of the most beautiful bodies of water in the country. Its harbor is the most important port in Southern Italy. To this day, Mount Vesuvius dominates the city skyline. Tourists will notice Medieval structures like the Castel Nuovo – which will remind historical observers of the years before Italian unification, when the Kingdom of Naples ruled over southern Italy. Aside from these and other sites, tourists will likely be charmed by the area’s local cuisine, recalling in particular the fact that Naples was the birthplace of pizza (now the world’s most famous fast food).