Naples is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, with Bronze Age Greek settlements dating back to the second millennium BC. A larger colony, initially known as Parthenope, emerged on the Island of Megaride around the ninth century BC, during the Greek Dark Ages. Refounded as Neapolis in the sixth century BC, it became a key player in Magna Graecia, blending Greek culture with Roman society and establishing itself as a cultural hub of the Roman Republic.
After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, Naples served as the capital of the Kingdom of Naples from 1282 to 1816, later becoming the capital of the Two Sicilies until Italy’s unification in 1861. Its historic city center, the largest in Europe at 1,700 hectares (4,200 acres), encompasses 27 centuries of history and is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Naples has long been a major cultural center, especially during the Renaissance and Enlightenment eras, and is home to numerous historically significant sites, including the Palace of Caserta and the Roman ruins of Pompeii and Herculaneum. Renowned as the birthplace of pizza, the city has made significant culinary contributions.
The music of Naples has also left a lasting impact, with its invention of the romantic guitar and mandolin, along with notable contributions to opera and folk music.
Symbolic figures of the city include Saint Januarius, its patron saint; Pulcinella, a beloved comic character; and the Sirens from Homer’s Odyssey.
CNN named the “Toledo” metro stop the most beautiful in Europe, and it won the LEAF Award for “Public Building of the Year” in 2013. Naples boasts the highest number of Michelin-starred restaurants in Italy, further cementing its reputation as a gastronomic destination.
