ITALY
Art in Naples March 1–7, 2021 from £2195 per person | with Alex Koller
This tour will be led by Alex Koller, PhD, an art historian who has studied in Vienna, Salzburg and Cambridge, where he gained his PhD in History of Art from Magdalene College. Alex has been leading tours since 1998 and is an accomplished linguist. His experience ranges from Eastern Europe, Russia and the Himalayas to Japan and southeast Asia. Day 1 Depart London on British Airways flight to Naples. Six nights at the Grand Hotel Oriente.
The Crucifixion by Giovanni Lanfranco
• Learn about the rich heritage of Naples, from classical antiquity to the 18th century • Discover the city’s wonderful Baroque art treasures • Visit the perfectly preserved monastic complex of Certosa di San Martino overlooking the city and the Bay of Naples, housing an impressive assembly of works by celebrated 17th century artists The city of Naples has a long and eminent history as one of the few European centres that can claim an unbroken continuity as a metropolis since its classical origins. Once the favourite haunt of Roman citizens, and later Italy’s only truly royal city for almost six centuries, Naples was never short of artistic patronage. Dukes, archbishops, nobles and religious orders contributed to an extremely dense collection of buildings and works of art in and around the city: in particular, many examples of Neapolitan painting from the 17th and 18th centuries have remained in their original locations and can thus be appreciated as part of a uniquely authentic artistic landscape. Our tour covers the main collections of Neapolitan art at the Museo di Capodimonte, Museo Archeologico Nazionale and the Royal Palace alongside smaller collections such as the picture gallery of Girolamini, which holds a delightful range of Baroque paintings. We will also view the Renaissance sculpture adorning Castel Nuovo. Attention will also be paid to a number of religious buildings that contain works of art of the highest order, including medieval royal tombs at Santa Chiara,
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and churches that have retained either all or much of their original decoration. Among the most fascinating are Pio Monte della Misericordia, which displays Caravaggio’s Seven Works of Mercy, and the important Baroque church of San Gregorio Armeno, decorated by Luca Giordano. We will stay throughout at the four-star Grand Hotel Oriente, located in the historical centre of Naples. FITNESS / PRACTICALITIES: This tour has a full and comprehensive itinerary, making the most of our stay in Naples, so a good level of fitness and stamina is required. Many visits will be made on foot and some by public transport, and participants should expect to spend a significant amount of time walking. Most of the city of Naples is on flat ground but the group will be required to climb up steps occasionally, and to traverse potentially uneven ground and cobbles. There will also be a significant amount of time spent standing in galleries and at historical sites.
On this study tour, Alex Koller will examine the cultural richness of Naples, a living historical city that for centuries enjoyed a reputation as one of Italy’s foremost sites, not least in the days of the Grand Tour. Alex explains: “While the individual buildings have changed, the Greek Neapolis survives in the plan of the city to this day, with the result that the feeling of being present in an antique city can probably be experienced better in Naples than anywhere else. In contrast to many cities that can trace their history to antiquity, Naples has never ceased to function as an urban community, not even in the darkest hours of the early Middle Ages.”
Day 2 Morning introductory lecture. Visits to Palazzo Reale, Castel Nuovo (Museo Civico) and religious houses with outstanding schemes of tomb monuments and paintings: Gesù Nuovo, Santa Chiara, San Domenico Maggiore and Sant’Angelo a Nilo. Day 3 Visits in the ancient quarters of Naples: San Gregorio Armeno, San Paolo Maggiore, baptistery, Complesso Monumentale dei Girolamini, Pio Monte della Misericordia, San Lorenzo Maggiore (catacombs), Museo Cappella Sansevero (18th century sculpture and frescoes) and Sant’Anna dei Lombardi. Day 4 Morning: by funicular to the Chiaia district for Santa Teresa a Chiaia and Chiesa dell’Ascensione a Chiaia, followed by churches of the Pizzofalcone quarter (Santa Maria degli Angeli and Santa Maria Egiziaca). Optional visit to Castel dell’Ovo (time permitting). Afternoon: San Giovanni a Carbonara, Complesso Monumentale Donnaregina Vecchia (Santa Maria) and Museo Archeologico Nazionale (Roman wall paintings from the Vesuvian sites). Day 5 Morning visit to the park at Villa Vannucchi (villa exterior) followed by Villa Bruno and Reggia di Portici (former royal palace). Afternoon: Villa Campolieto and Parco Archeologico di Ercolano. Free evening. Day 6 Morning: San Leucio and Reggia di Caserta (Europe’s last great Baroque palace scheme). Afternoon: San Michele Arcangelo (duomo). Day 7 Morning: Certosa di San Martino (Neapolitan School), catacombs of San Gaudioso and San Gennaro (subject to confirmation). Afternoon: Museo di Capodimonte. Depart Naples on flight to London.
Please note that the itinerary represents a guide to what we hope to offer, and some elements may be subject to change or confirmation. Historical sites in Italy can close at short notice, for instance to undergo restoration works.
Cost of £2195 includes: return airfare, accommodation based on sharing a twin or double bedded room, breakfast, one lunch, five dinners with wine, water & coffee, excursions & admissions, gratuities. Not included: travel insurance, optional visit to Castel dell’Ovo, double room for single use supplement £245. TOUR CODE: ANPL21
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