Naples
You could visit Naples for its archaeological and architectural treasures, its castles, churches, and museums. But if you have ever wanted to indulge in la dolce vita, the Italian good life, do this here as well. The sea, the landscape, the active volcanic soil, and a diverse influence perfected by centuries of culinary practice have all come together to provide pleasures for the taste buds and the eye and is on offer in numerous restaurants, cafés, and street stands..And the Neapolitans can do it all: From the discovery of the universe's infinity to the invention of pizza, creativity clearly is at home here. With 3,000 years of age, Naples is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities of the world. Its historical city center is a UNESCO World Heritage site; although Naples was the most-bombed Italian city in World War II, vast resources were invested in reconstructing damaged buildings.
Already in the second millennium BCE Greeks settled here. Around the 8th century BCE, Greek settlers established the city of Parthenope. Refounded 200 years later as "Neapolis", or "New City", it grew into one of the leading cites of Greater Greece and then an important cultural center of the Roman Empire.
After the Middle Ages, Naples was the capital of the "Kingdom of Sicily" which comprised all of Southern Italy. Naples' historic center dates back to this time. The Naples region is famous for its volcanic activity and, more specifically, for the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 BCE that wiped out several towns and hundreds of farms. Covered under a thick layer of ash, the remains of Pompeii and Herculaneum were well preserved and provide an unparalleled insight into life in the Roman Empire. Not only finds from here are on display in the National Archaeological Museum of Naples, one of the most extensive collections of Roman Empire artifacts
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Introduction to the Museum
One of the world’s greatest historical museums; with the masterpieces of the Farnese collection and the spectacular mosaics, frescoes, and household goods from Pompeii and Herculaneum, at the MANN the Roman Empire comes alive like nowhere else.
The Farnese Collection and the History of the Museum
Magnificent marbles from the Baths of Caracalla in Rome, collected by one of the most notorious popes, Paul III aka Alessandro Farnese: among them, the head of emperor Caracalla, the dramatic “Farnese Bull”, the “Farnese Atlas”, and the Tazza Farnese.
The Discovery of Pompeii and the Villa dei Papiri
In 1592, an architect found some antique inscriptions, marbles and coins. 100 years later King Charles III had them excavated; German historian Johann Joachim Winckelmann systematically explored them – and the finds completely changed our view of antiquity.
Freedmen and Patricians, Men and Women: Power and Politics
What do all the graves outside Pompeii tell us about Roman society? How did elections and the administration work? Did women have any rights at all? And who paid for it all? A close look at politics - and the surprising role of slaves…
Pompeii and Herculaneum – Treasure Troves of the Past
The eruption of Mt. Vesuvius brought death to thousands – but for us, in the streets of Pompeii and Herculaneum the Roman Empire comes back to life. Renowned scholars like Prof. Andrew Wallace-Hadrill from Cambridge help us understand the past…