Naples - A City You Want to Visit Again

Many cities across Italy have a special charm, but Naples could be said to have a distinctly different character from most other cities of the Apennine Peninsula. Napoli, as it is called by the inhabitants of Italy, lies at the foot of the restless Vesuvius volcano and is the largest city in southern Italy. In the 1990s, the medieval Baroque and Renaissance city was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. With over 3000 years of rich history, preserved historic buildings, numerous underground tunnels, the temperament of the people, the delicious food, the street entertainers and the charming traditions, this city simply cannot leave you indifferent. As you stroll the city's many streets, soaking up scenes and sounds, you can feel the energy flowing through the city. That is what makes Naples and its surroundings one of the most fascinating cities in Europe to travel to.

The birthplace of pizza

It is said that the delicious Margherita pizza was created in this city in honour of Queen Margherita of Savoy, so Naples is considered the birthplace of one of the most popular dishes in the world. Pizza used to be food of the poor, but today we eat it regardless of social status. In the hostel where I was staying, an employee with Bosnian roots told me about a pizzeria where you hardly meet foreigners, only the locals, so I was happy to go there and see for myself that the pizza in this place really is something special. If you happen to be on a diet when you visit Naples, it will be very easy to break it, because there is food around every corner.

In the centre of the city, the Piazza del Plebiscito is one of the largest squares in Naples, where you'll find the Basilica of San Francesco di Paola with its large columns and, opposite, the Royal Palace, which is also worth a visit. A few metres away from the square, walk to the promenade along the sea coast, where you will be able to enjoy the smell of the sea and at the same time you will be rewarded with beautiful views of the Vesuvius volcano. Another place to visit is the Castel dell Ovo, the oldest castle in the city, prominently set in the Bay of Naples. Another symbol of the city is Nuovo Castle, which overlooks the Port of Naples. Unfortunately, the castle was closed during my visit to the city, so I used the time to visit the stalls selling chocolate products, so I could treat my taste buds again. One of the city's most popular streets is Via San Gregorio Armano, a picturesque street full of workshops and shops offering handmade souvenirs inspired by the nativity scene. During my visit, there were so many visitors that you had to navigate your way through a maze of streets very slowly.

MARADONA!

There is almost no visitor to the city to not know which football player I am talking about. The legendary Argentine footballer, who played part of his career for his hometown club Napoli, has a cult of an immortal deity at almost every turn of the city. Many people visit the city just because of him. Diego Armando Maradona is considered one of the best footballers of all time. The city is intertwined with many small streets, and there will hardly be a street where you won't see graffiti depicting him. Flags, football jerseys with the number 10 and scarves are hung on the walls of the streets. A special place dedicated to the Argentine football player is in the historic Spanish Quarter, where an entire street corner is dedicated to his legacy. Numerous bars, hair salons, restaurants, and stores are named after him, and since 2020, after his death, a football stadium. It's all decorated in the style of the Argentine virtuoso and his hometown club, Napoli. I can say with certainty that the city of Naples has taken Maradona as its saint.

Vesuvius - a volcano that does not sleep

From the main train station, I took the local train to Ercolano. The easiest way to get to the volcano is by organised bus, where you can take a local guide to one of the most active volcanoes in the world. Many of the city's tourist agencies organise excursions to many of the city's tourist sites. As I had more than two hours before the bus to the volcano left, I used this time to visit the ancient Roman city of Herculaneum. We walked the last part of the way up to the crater with a group of other visitors, which was a nice hike up, including the bus. More than half a million people live in its danger zone, so the volcano is being kept under careful surveillance as a precaution. The largest volcanic eruption occurred in 79 AD, which buried many Roman cities, such as Pompeii and Herculaneum, in ash. The volcanic eruption was so powerful that it destroyed the peak and then created two new peaks. As the weather was fine that day, we were rewarded at the top of the volcano with a beautiful view of the Bay of Naples and its surroundings. It was Pompeii and the city of Herculaneum that experienced the greatest toll of the volcanic eruption in 79. Today, Pompeii is one of the most visited archaeological sites, but also one of the most tragic. Take time to visit Pompeii and walk through the many narrow stone streets, admire the many houses, shops, amphitheatres, very many of them are still well-preserved. The constant presence of Vesuvius, one of the most dangerous volcanoes in the world, is a stark reminder that life can be unpredictable.

The character of today's Neapolitans is deeply rooted in their past, and most people live according to the saying carpe diem or seize the day.