Napoli (Naples), the southern Italian metropolis

Naples (Napoli) is the third largest city of Italy, with a population of over a million people, situated on the Bay of Naples. It is the capital of the region of Campania, an important seaport, manufacturing and tourism centre: the bay with its islands like Ischia and Capri, the Amalfi coast, Mt. Vesuvius and the Roman towns of Pompeii and Herculaneum are all nearby.

About 600 BC Greek colonists from Cumae, 23 kilometres to the west, founded a town near the site of present-day Naples. According to legend they first called it Parthenope but later renamed it Neapolis (New City). It was conquered by the Romans about 326 BC; they made the area a favourite place to relax for various Roman emperors, including Augustus (who turned the Isle of Capri into his private estate) and Nero. During much of the period from the 1100's until 1860, Naples was ruled by various foreign invaders, including Arabs, Normans, French, Austrians and Spanish. In 1734, the city became the capital of an independent country called the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies. Eventually it became part of the Kingdom of Italy in 1860 and since 1861 the city has been the capital of Campania.

Naples is a city of extreme contrasts, with scenes of great beauty mixed with crowded slums. In the eastern section, church spires rise above old tenement buildings and factories. The Spaccanapoli district, with its crowded, narrow streets, forms the heart of old Naples. The newer western part of the city lies along the Riviera di Chiaia, a broad drive running 5 kilometres along the Bay of Naples. The Vomero, a hilly, densely populated modern section lies inland. The city boasts wonderful cathedrals and castles, dating back to medieval times.

Capri, in the Tyrrhenian Sea at the entrance of the Gulf of Naples, is a favourite tourist destination. The island, covering about 10 square kilometres, rises to 590 m on Mount Solaro. The main town, also named Capri, lies in the eastern part of the island; the town of Anacapri, in the western portion, is 225 m above sea level. There are vineyards, and olives and fruit are grown. It has spectacular scenery, including the famous Blue Grotto, a cave filled with sapphire-blue coloring when the sun shines through its waters. And itÕs not only now the island is popular: the Roman emperors Augustus and Tiberius built splendid villas on Capri.

	Naples and Vesuvius	Narrow street	Piazza Dante	Castel Nuovo
	The Duomo	Church of San Paolo	Gesù Nuovo church	Neapolitan boys
	Capri, Marina Grande	Capri view	Tiled floor, church	Capri, Marina Piccola

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