Miracles of Naples

The city of Italian composer, writer and actor Totò smells of delicious napoletana pizza and equally delicious Neapolitan spaghetti. It is situated at the foot of Mount Vesuvius, attracting tourists with the Miracle of Saint John, dozens of museums and galleries, and numerous sacred monuments.

Naples is the cultural and economic center of southern Italy. Crowds of tourists besiege them practically all year round, with greater or lesser intensity depending on the season, but there are never voids in the streets. The city is not only an important seaport of the country, but also one of the main pilgrimage destinations. The faithful come here in months with events that science still does not understand. In May, September and December, the most important relic of the city, the blood of St. Januarius , changes color and physical state. The patron saint of Naples was executed in AD 305, and during the execution, one of the pious women collected his blood into a vial.

For centuries, the relic was carefully preserved and is now in a chapel built as a token of gratitude for saving the city from the plague epidemic in the 16th century. The Church has never officially responded to the issue of treating the transformation of blood as a miracle, which does not change the fact that every year crowds of pilgrims visit the city only to see it. No change in fluid is treated as a bad omen - the relic did not change its form, among others in 1944, when the volcano erupted.

Neapolis - New Town

From the very beginning, Naples was an important point on the map of Europe. This was the case when it was established as a Greek colony and was named Neapolis (New Town), which took place around 600 BC.For centuries it was the favorite residence of rulers, including Nero, Charles I of Anjou, later the Habsburgs, Bourbons and Napoleon Bonaparte. It was the capital of kingdoms, principalities and even one empire. Today , the historic center of Naples is included in the UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage List due to its size (it is the largest in Europe) and beauty.

In the city, every tourist will find something that will delight him. People who prefer to enjoy the atmosphere of an Italian resort full of monuments will spend more time in the Vomero district. It is a very nice place with many historical cafes, museums and monuments. Spaccanapoli , on the other hand, is an extremely bustling place, full of narrow streets, winding stairs and houses crammed next to each other. Pure Neapolitans live here.

Monuments covered with dust

Naples is famous for its wealth of monuments. Those who are ambitiously going to get to know them all must plan a longer stay in the city. It is difficult to list the most important ones, because they all make a great impression. The Royal Palace is definitely a must see and Castel Nuovo , an ancient andegavian royal court. Also noteworthy are: St. Januarius, the castle of Sant'Elmo erected on the plan of a six-pointed star and the Certosa di San Martino abbey, which are a stunning example of the Neapolitan Baroque. The last two attractions can be reached with the Montesanto Funicular.

While in Naples, you cannot miss the National Archaeological Museum , which houses priceless finds from two cities buried in volcanic ash: Pompeii and Herculaneum.

Overnight at the foot of Mount Vesuvius

The Naples area is very attractive for tourists, so it is not surprising that the number of accommodation offered in them is not surprising. Lovers of caravanning will also find an ideal place to stay here. For example, about 20 km south-east of the city, in the immediate vicinity of the proud Vesuvius, there is Camping Spartacus . An adult will pay 4.5-7 euro per night, while for a motorhome - 12 euro. Access to electricity costs 3 euros. You can easily use the internet throughout the campsite.

Access is very easy, just follow the A3 road or use the Napoli Express. It is worth staying at this campsite mainly for one reason - it is located right next to Pompeii.

The city will be remembered by everyone who visits it. It is not without reason that Goethe once said the memorable words: "See Naples and die."