The National Archaeological Museum of Naples has one of the world's best collections of Greek and Roman antiquities,
including mosaics, sculptures, gems, glass and silver, and a collection of Roman erotica from Pompeii. Many of the
objects come from excavations at Pompeii and other nearby archaeological sites.
Piazza del Plebiscito
is the center of modern Naples.
San Francesco di Paola, on the piazza, is a huge domed church.
Palazzo Reale, the
Royal Palace, is across the square (closed Wednesdays). Inside you can visit the restored rooms and royal apartments
and visit the roof garden where there are good views of the bay.
Piazza Mercato has probably been a market square
since Roman times.
Via Toledo, a pedestrian street, is one of the main business and shopping streets.
Spaccanapoli is one of the main streets crossing Naples and is the heart of the historic center. Teeming with
people, the street holds many interesting churches, shops, and other buildings. The Spaccanapoli district is a
string of narrow, winding streets and is mainly a pedestrian zone so its a fun place to wander around.
Via San
Biagio dei Librai, in Spaccanopoli, has antiquarian book dealers, terracotta religious and nativity figurines,
and a doll hospital.
Via San Gregorio Armeno is famous for its nativity workshops and stores.
Santa Chiara Church is part of a large
complex that includes a monastery with beautiful cloisters decorated with majolica tiles and frescoes and an
interesting archaeological museum.
Via dei Trivunali is one of the busiest streets in old Naples. It has
arcades dating back over 1000 years.
The Duomo is a 13th century Gothic cathedral dedicated to Naple's patron
saint, San Gennaro. A huge festival is held when a vial of his blood is taken out of its storage place in hopes
that it will liquefy. On one side of the duomo is the 4th century Basilica Santa Restituta (the oldest church in
Naples) with columns believed to be from the Temple.
