“See Naples and die,” is a famous quote. Truer would be “See Naples and come alive.” You know that pizza was invented in Naples, but you may not know its other art museums and palaces on a par with Versailles. And this city is a great jumping Mt. Vesuvius seems to loom no matter where you go. Fortunately, the volcano hasn’t erupted since 1944. The archaeological remains of its historical eruption in 79 A. D. are found at world-famous Pompeii and at Herculaneum. The remains of these outbursts reveal what it was like in ancient
Resident September 2012
World Heritage sites, as are others nearby. If you don’t have time to visit them, head for the acclaimed National Museum of Archaeology. Some of the best treasures of Pompeii and Herculaneum are here – statues, far larger than life; painted walls (frescoes) and exquisite mosaics. Much that was created in monumental ways back then is amazingly preserved. Pompeii is known for some very explicit art, as in “erotic art.” What were those Romans thinking? More to the point, what were they doing? That’s in Il Gabinetto Segretto, the Secret Room, should you dare or care to venture in.
Not too far away, at Piazza del Plebiscito, a early 1700’s. This in itself is reason enough to come to Naples. I saw “My Fair Lady” here in Italian. Take in ballet, concerts, and opera: Bizet’s “Pearl Fishers” plays in Naples has almost as many historical buildings as Rome. There’s only space to name a few. Even its Poorhouse, is extra entire block, and housed 8,000 in its day. It is about to be converted into an art gallery. It is not alone. Several buildings – formerly