Started today with a cool, wet and dreary day in Naples Italy so we decided to wait until early afternoon to venture out. We aren’t on an excursion today so it will be a search and find scavenger type exploring with a little help from google! Around 1 pm, although overcast, the rain was gone and the temperatures were very close to 70 F. so turned out to be a very nice day. We decided to plan our day close to the port and found many areas on our list close by. We have decided to not visit Pompeii and Herculaneum because we will see them next year and not wanting to ruin the excitement. We chose the Royal Palace as our main attraction and visited the inside. It was huge! Room after room of beauty. Unlike the Buckingham palace, we were able to take photos without flash. The queen of England wouldn’t allow us to take photos while visiting her. Which, I really don’t blame her if it was her living quarters most of the time.
The Royal Palace is located in the Piazza del Plebiscito. It was one of the four residences used by the House of Bourbon during their rule of the Kingdom of Naples and later the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies. It was founded in the 17th century to host the Kings of Spain. Inside the palace there is some beautiful architecture. The staircase is remarkable in itself and you have to be careful not to trip as you are gazing above at the artwork on the ceiling. Each room was beautiful. From the Kings and Queens chambers to the amazing Chapel. Well worth the visit if ever in Naples.
Across the street is the Castel Nuovo. If you are not run over by a scooter, car or pedestrian you might make it across in one piece. It was just crazy out there. The 13th century was once the seat of the kings of Naples but is now a museum. The castle was downgraded to a military fortress when Naples was annexed by Spain at the end of the 15th century. An interesting fact about the Castle is that its famous among the locals for the “Crocodile Pit”. Initially called the pit of the millet because it was used as a grain storage during of the Aragonese reign, the pit was also used to lock up prisoners condemned to harsher sentences. Interesting.
While trying to find the Royal palace, which from the outside wasn’t as impressive as we would have thought, we ended up in the Piazza del Plebiscito. This is a large square and very beautiful and if there were some seating areas or even grass, you could just sit and enjoy the scenery of the architecture. Many events and concerts are held here.
The Fountain of Neptune is also here. It was completed between 1600 and 1601. Involved in its creation were the sculptor-architects Michelangelo Naccherino, Pietro Bernini, and Cosimo Fanzago. A very beautiful and detailed fountain.
After another 4 miles of walking (its getting easier), we decided to head back to the ship. When we departed the ship, we were taken upstairs of the terminal through some shops and back downstairs to exit. We assumed we would be going through security or immigration or something since the long odd trip. However, we took the same route upon returning so we now know it was so they could sell you “stuff” or “junk” as Chuck calls it.
It turned out to be a nice day. Tomorrow we are out to sea but Dubrovnik Croatia is our next stop. Another one that we haven’t seen.
Some fun facts about Naples:
- Its name isn’t Italian. (its Greek)
- Naples is the third largest city in Italy.
- You can go below ground. – interesting enough most toilets are underground but also some catacombs that would be cool to visit.
- The port is one of the busiest hubs in Europe.
- Naples celebrates pizza like no other. Yes they do. It is everywhere and sold on every corner. The smell is heavenly if you love Pizza!
May God bless you always.
Chuck & Lea Ann
WorldTravelReynolds 