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Naples: the city of treasures
Naples is a city that has always attracted visitors from all over the world thanks to its unique history and culture. The municipality of Naples has a population of 914,406, making it one of the most populous municipalities in Italy and the capital of the Campania region.
The history of Naples
Founded by the Cumans in the 8th century BC, Naples played a prominent role in Magna Graecia. Over the centuries, the city has been an important cultural, religious and commercial center in southern Italy. After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, Naples became even more important, creating an independent Duchy of Naples from the Byzantine Empire.
Since the 13th century, Naples has been the capital of the Kingdom of Naples for over five hundred years and, subsequently, of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies under the Bourbons of Naples until the Unification of Italy. Naples also has a strong tradition in the field of knowledge and culture, with the presence of the world's oldest university, Federico II, the University of Naples "L'Orientale" and the Military School "Nunziatella".
A cultural treasure
Naples has been a protagonist of humanism and a center of enlightenment on a European level, a city of great importance for classical music thanks to the Neapolitan musical school that gave rise to opera buffa, and a center for figurative art with a strong Renaissance, Baroque and Caravaggio presence. The city has also been the birthplace of Neapolitan song, Neapolitan theater, and Neapolitan cuisine, with famous dishes like the pizza napoletana.
World Heritage Site
Not only that, but the historic center of Naples was elected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995, with its monuments telling the story of the succession of cultures and traditions of the Mediterranean and Europe. The city is also famous for the Vesuvius volcano, recognized as a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO along with the Golden Mile, where the eastern districts of the city are found.
The geographical position of Naples
The city of Naples is located near the Gulf of Naples, with Vesuvius dominating its skyline. To the east is the Sorrentine Peninsula, overlooking the Punta Campanella Protected Marine Area; to the west, instead, are the Campi Flegrei with Mount Procida. To the north, the Campana Plain extends, including Lake Patria and the Nolana Area.
Neapolitan cuisine
Neapolitan pizza and its pizzaioli
Neapolitan pizza is one of the most famous gastronomic products of the city, and its art is passed down from generation to generation by the pizzaioli, true cooking artists. In 2017, the art of the Neapolitan pizzaiolo was declared an oral and intangible heritage of humanity by UNESCO.
Other products of Neapolitan cuisine
But Neapolitan cuisine offers many other specialties, such as buffalo mozzarella, anchovies from Cetara, eggplant Parmigiana, and sfogliatelle. In addition, Neapolitan cuisine plays an important role in the culture of the city, with many food-related festivals and rituals.
Neapolitan music
Naples has a long musical tradition and was a protagonist of the European music scene with its Neapolitan musical school, which gave rise to opera buffa. The city also gave birth to Neapolitan song, one of the most famous musical genres in Italy and worldwide.
Neapolitan figurative art
The city of Naples has a great tradition in figurative art, with works of great Renaissance, Baroque and Caravaggio relevance. Naples also has a strong presence of minor arts, such as Capodimonte porcelain and the Neapolitan Nativity scene, to which the city is traditionally linked.
Conclusions
In summary, Naples is a city of great charm, rich in historical, artistic and cultural treasures. Its cuisine, its music, and its traditions are famous all over the world. The city is a unique place, fascinating and enchanting every visitor with its beauty and its millennial history.
