Things to do in Campania, Italy: The Best Historic Sites

September 21, 2021 Christa Meece

Campania (Italian pronunciation: [kamˈpaːnja]) is a region in Southern Italy. As of 2014, the region had a population of around 5,869,000 people, making it the third-most-populous region of Italy; its total area of 13,590 km (5,247 sq mi) makes it the most densely populated region in the country. Located on the Italian Peninsula, with the Mediterranean Sea to the west, it includes the small Phlegraean Islands and Capri for administration as part of the region.
Restaurants in Campania

1. Catacombe di San Gennaro

Via di Capodimonte 13, 80100, Naples Italy +39 081 744 3714 [email protected] http://www.catacombedinapoli.it/
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5.0 based on 4,755 reviews

Catacombe di San Gennaro

Around the origin of our Catacombs much has been discussed, they were simpleburial and never were quarries or underground ways; the first note of the monumentis repeated since the death of St. Agrippino our bishop in the II century, when hisbody was buried there in a noble tomb. Many miracles the saint operated by thetomb, so it became a place of reverence and neapolitan wished to be buried in thatplace.

Reviewed By sharonv923

We visited the catacombs found in the Sanita area of Naples with anticipation - never been in catacombs before. This is a social enterprise run by a foundation that uses the proceeds to fund extra services for the young people of the area which is deprived. It's fantastic to see a group use an asset so well for the benefit of the community and, while the tour is totally worth the entry fee, it's nice to know that the ticket price benefits others. The tour is engaging and well delivered. The history and stories related are accessible. Our guide was excellent - well informed and great at answering questions. The catacombs are Christian and pre-Christian, and very atmospheric. Highly recommended.

2. Galleria Borbonica

Vico del Grottone 4 Zona Piazza Plebiscito, 80132, Naples Italy +39 081 764 5808 [email protected] http://www.galleriaborbonica.com/it/home/
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5.0 based on 8,535 reviews

Galleria Borbonica

Enchanting scenery that unfolds to the eyes of visitors, a secret place full of history and magic atmosphere.An emotional journey that conducts visitors in the new section of the underground of Naples. It is situated in Vico del Grottone 4, from to 150 mt. to Plebiscito Square. Until a few years ago it wasa veterinary laboratory, now is the entrance of the Bourbon Tunnel. A staircase with 8 ramps, 33 yards deep descending into the belly of Chiaia. The second entry is in Via Domenico Morelli,40, through the crosswalk of “Quick parking”.The Tunnel was built in 1853 by Ferdinand II of Bourbon, who, concerned about the outbreak of rebellion, he asked for an escape from the Royal Palace to the barrack in Via della Pace, now Via Morelli. The work was uncompleted and, during the second World War, was used by residents of the area as a military hospital, later becoming the Hall Judicial Deposit.The war left its mark even in the subsoil. That’s way there are handwrite, folding beds, messages of wish and desolation of those who lived it and still maintains its memory. Along the tunnel thereare also the evidences, 530 meters, where visitors can discover the history of real life. Through the spacious streets, it’s easy reachable the network of tunnels and cisterns of seventeenth-century,large buildings, where worked the "pozzari", the only connoisseur of Naples underground.The show is stunning, but that's not finished. On Via Morelli appear statues dating back to fascist period and many cars and motorcycles, abandoned for years, freed from piles of rubbish, arranged and illuminated ad hoc for the route.Nothing is left to chance, even lighting, perfectly integrated with the path of the visitors.Since today everything is possible to visit. Five years ago the scenery was completely different.Rubbish, degradation, wastes of all kinds covered the reliquaries.

Reviewed By 924silvioc

Excellent tour, an amazing place to visit and a snapshot of life in Naples during WWII Lots of thanks to Lorena for the excellent explanation

3. Catacombe di San Gaudioso

Piazza Sanita, 14, 80100, Naples Italy +39 081 744 3714 www.catacombedinapoli.it http://www.catacombedinapoli.it/en/places/catacombs-of-san-gaudioso-naples
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5.0 based on 1,294 reviews

Catacombe di San Gaudioso

Under the Basilica of Santa Maria della Sanità, the neuralgic centres of the district, we find the second most important early Christian cemetery in the city. The Catacombs were extended following the burial of the North African bishop, deposited here between 451 and 453 AD. The Catacombs of San Gaudioso are the second largest in Naples, and includes both early Christian and 17th century elements. On one side there is the intensity of the early Christian elements, such as the tomb of St. Gaudiosusand frescoes and mosaics of the 5th and 6th centuries, and on the other, the special graves reserved for nobles, dating back to the 17th century, when the catacombs resumed the function of a burial site. The Catacombs of San Gaudioso conserve valuable frescoes and mosaics from the 5th and 6th centuries that feature many symbols that were widely used in the early Christian era, such as the fish, the lamb, and grapes with branches.

Reviewed By francescocT1756XD

Marvellous place. We appreciated very much this historical site, it is interesting and the tourist guide was been great we all of us.

4. Teatro di San Carlo

Via San Carlo 98 / F, 80132, Naples Italy +39 081 797 2412 [email protected] http://www.teatrosancarlo.it/
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4.5 based on 4,387 reviews

Teatro di San Carlo

The Teatro di San Carlo was designed by the architects Giovanni Antonio Medrano and Angelo Carasale for the monarch since Charles wanted a new and larger theatre for Naples to replace the old and dilapidated Teatro San Bartolomeo of 1621. On 12 February 1816 the San Carlo was destroyed by fire. The Theatre was re-designed by the architect Antonio Niccolini and rebuilt within ten months on order of King Ferdinand IV. In 1845 there was additional refurbishment and, by 1854, the theatre's interior appearance changed to the now-traditional red and gold.Now carefully restored to its former splendour, the San Carlo is the oldest working theatre in Europe.

Reviewed By 759elib - Sydney, Australia

Grand, grand opera house, one of the oldest in the world. Hard to believe it was built in a few months in 1737. Its architecture is perfect with the foyer, balcony outstanding in enhancing the facade.. the royal box is bijou. Sitting here for a concert is a dream come true.

5. Parco Acheologico di Ercolano

Corso Resina, 187, 80056 Ercolano Italy +39 081 7777008 [email protected] http://Ercolano.beniculturali.it
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4.5 based on 7,869 reviews

Parco Acheologico di Ercolano

Life as it existed in this ancient Greek settlement (5th century B.C.) was frozen in time when rivers of hot mud flowed down its streets from an eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 79 A.D.

Reviewed By leeherb18 - Sardinia, Italy

Visited Pompeii and Herculaneum while staying in Naples. Both good but Herculaneum much smaller but we found it much better. We took a taxi from Naples which cost €80 return with the driver waiting for 2 hours while we were there. The driver suggested payment at the end of the trip which was good and no risk. Two hours was probably 1 hour too short for the visit but we saw everything we wanted to see. Admission price is good €11 per adult and the queue for entrance was only about 10 mins. Maps are good and easy to use and an audio guide and/or a guided tour is available although we just used the map and booklet provided which worked perfectly for us.

6. Joe Petrosino Museum

Italy
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4.5 based on 17 reviews

Joe Petrosino Museum

7. Abbazia Benedettina del Santissimo Salvatore

Localita San Salvatore Telesino, 82035 San Salvatore Telesino Italy
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4.5 based on 7 reviews

Abbazia Benedettina del Santissimo Salvatore

8. Museo Cappella Sansevero

Via Francesco De Sanctis, 19/21, 80134, Naples Italy +39 081 551 8470 [email protected] http://www.museosansevero.it
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4.5 based on 21,199 reviews

Museo Cappella Sansevero

Built in the late 1500s, this gem of Italian artistic heritage was greatly influenced by the famous Raimondo de Sangro VII, Prince of Sansevero, a genius of science and invention.

Reviewed By stephaniep185 - New York City, United States

Buy your timed ticket online or expect to wait on a long line - simply magnificent church with world class art & sculpture- no photos allowed so be sure to buy the book at the gift shop so you remember what you saw!

9. Villa San Michele

Viale Axel Munthe 34, 80071 Anacapri, Island of Capri Italy +39 081 837 1401 [email protected] http://www.villasanmichele.eu
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4.5 based on 1,895 reviews

Villa San Michele

Villa San Michele is the life’s work at Capri of the Swedish physician and author Axel Munthe (1857–1949). It is surrounded by an impressive garden, which recently won the price as Italy’s most beautiful private park. Behind it is the Barbarossa mountain, that Axel Munthe turned into a sanctuary for migratory birds. Axel Munthe recounts the story of his life and the creation of the villa in The Story of San Michele (1929). It became one of the first international bestsellers in modern time. The tale that then captivated countless readers all over the world, lives on in Villa San Michele, in its rooms and garden and in the Egyptian sphinx, that silently watches the sea from its balustrade.

Reviewed By 840gabrielh - Bellaire, United States

As you ascend to the top of the mountain on the West side of Capri, you reach Anacapri, one of the two major towns on the island. Wading through the sea of tourists, and passing through a number of souvenir shops, you will find your way to Villa San Michele, currently a museum, but originally the home of Axel Munthe, a Swedish expat, physician, psychiatrist, polyglot, writer and philanthropist who arguably did more than anyone else in modern times to put Capri on the map. The museum houses the extensive collection of the archaeological and anthropological treasures collected buy Dr. Munthe, as well as numerous decorative items (sculptures, paintings, ceramics, etc.). It is also the site of the Chapel of St. Michelle and lovely gardens that surround the buildings. The view from the Villa's terraces is spectacular: most of Marina Grande, the beach below, and the Sorrento peninsula across the strait, as well as mount Vesuvius and Naples at a distance.

10. Villa Cimbrone Gardens

Via Santa Chiara 26, 84010, Ravello Italy +39 089 857459 [email protected] http://www.villacimbrone.com/it/ravello.php
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4.5 based on 3,943 reviews

Villa Cimbrone Gardens

Reviewed By lassie64

possibly the nicest thing to do whilst up in ravello. entrance is 7 euros pp and you get to walk around the large gardens and take in the flowers and statues and sculptures etc. best bit is the infinity terrace with amazing views over the amalfi coastline both ways.

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