Marina, our guide, was full of enthusiasm and so proud to show off the sites and teach us its history. So much to see and learn. So off we went. We vanned it to city center (45 minutes) and parked by this public pool with Mount Vesuvius forever in the background.
We walked uphill toward a large historical square in the city center. This is the Piazza del Plebiscito (loosely meaning everyone can vote and was named for the vote that changed Italy from a multitude of kingdoms to a unified state in 1861). It is the biggest square we have seen to date. Open air concerts are held here, including musicians such as Elton John, Maroon 5, Muse, and Bruce Springsteen.
The square is surrounded by huge buildings. To our right was the Palazzo Reale or the Royal Palace. Construction began in the early 1600s. Its original style was Italian baroque / neo-classical, but it had many renovations and additions over the years. It is one of four palaces in the area used by the Bourbon kings (1734-1860).
On the ground floor is a row of statues of the seven kings (not shown in photo). Each had a different sculptor and is placed in chronological order from Roger the Norman to Vittorio Emanuelle II. They represent prominent rulers of the seven dynasties that reigned over the area from 1130 through 1878.
During that time countries that governed over Naples were France, Spain, Austria, and Italy. Oddly enough, none of the statues represent rulers during the Bourbon dynasty. Today the palace and its adjacent grounds house the Teatro San Carlo, the National Library, a museum, and regional tourist board office, among other things.
To our left we saw the Basilica of San Francisco di Paola. Per Wikipedia, in the early 19th century, King Joachim Murat (Emperor Napoleon's bro-in-law) planned the entire square and built this building in tribute to the emperor. When the Bourbons restored the throne from France, Ferdinand I continued construction (finished in 1816) and converted the structure into a church. He dedicated it to Saint Francis of Paola, who lived in a monastery nearby in the 16th century.
The style of architecture is neo-classical. The building is reminiscent of a cross between the Pantheon and Saint Peter's in Rome.
The building straight ahead is the Palazzo Salerno. It was built circa 1775 in a neo-classical style. There is a mirror image building on the other end of the Basilica as well.
Apparently its original use was a convent and was later converted for other uses, including the royal cadet quarters, Sir John Acton's residence (commander of the Italy Navy around 1800), and seat of the Ministers of State of Bourbon. It is now owned by the Ministry of Defense and houses military offices.
Our next destination was the gray building behind the little yellow building to the right.
The square is surrounded by huge buildings. To our right was the Palazzo Reale or the Royal Palace. Construction began in the early 1600s. Its original style was Italian baroque / neo-classical, but it had many renovations and additions over the years. It is one of four palaces in the area used by the Bourbon kings (1734-1860).
On the ground floor is a row of statues of the seven kings (not shown in photo). Each had a different sculptor and is placed in chronological order from Roger the Norman to Vittorio Emanuelle II. They represent prominent rulers of the seven dynasties that reigned over the area from 1130 through 1878.
During that time countries that governed over Naples were France, Spain, Austria, and Italy. Oddly enough, none of the statues represent rulers during the Bourbon dynasty. Today the palace and its adjacent grounds house the Teatro San Carlo, the National Library, a museum, and regional tourist board office, among other things.
To our left we saw the Basilica of San Francisco di Paola. Per Wikipedia, in the early 19th century, King Joachim Murat (Emperor Napoleon's bro-in-law) planned the entire square and built this building in tribute to the emperor. When the Bourbons restored the throne from France, Ferdinand I continued construction (finished in 1816) and converted the structure into a church. He dedicated it to Saint Francis of Paola, who lived in a monastery nearby in the 16th century.
The style of architecture is neo-classical. The building is reminiscent of a cross between the Pantheon and Saint Peter's in Rome.
The building straight ahead is the Palazzo Salerno. It was built circa 1775 in a neo-classical style. There is a mirror image building on the other end of the Basilica as well.Apparently its original use was a convent and was later converted for other uses, including the royal cadet quarters, Sir John Acton's residence (commander of the Italy Navy around 1800), and seat of the Ministers of State of Bourbon. It is now owned by the Ministry of Defense and houses military offices.
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