After the many stories (mostly daunting ones) I have heard about Naples, I’m glad that we did make a stop for a day to have a feel of this ‘interesting’ city. Never have I heard as much honking or seen as much graffiti on buildings and monuments in a place. However after spending the day here, I found that there was more to this city apart from the rugged side of Naples.
Setting off from Piazza Bellini, the square just right in front of Hotel Piazza Bellini, where we stayed the night before, we head down Via Santa Maria di Constantinopoli and take a right onto Via Port’Alba. This street is where one will find Naples’ oldest bookstores.
‘expressive art’ everywhere…
bookshops and bookstalls lined on both sides of Port’Alba
browsing through the books for sale
heading out of Port’Alba onto Piazza Dante
Port’Alba opens up into Piazza Dante, named after Dante Alighieri, an Italian poet of the Middle Ages.
statue of the poet Dante Alighieri the metro sign at Piazza Dante
locals relaxing on the benches of Piazza Dante
From Piazza Dante, we head towards La Pignasecca, one of the oldest markets of Naples, situated along Via Pignasecca and Via Portamedina. It is indeed a colourful sight of fresh fruits and vegetables, fishmongers selling a large variety of fish, and deli and pastry shops in every corner.
hustle and bustle…. and look at the huge loaf of bread!
locals in the midst of their daily marketing
(left) fresh green vegetables; (right) fruit seller head balancing…. & throw!
(left) giant chunks-of-cheese ; (right) sfogliatella pastry with ricotta cheese & fruit bits from Pastiecceria Scaturchio
widespread variety of fresh fish at Pescheria Azzurra
a busy fishmonger at Pescheria Azzurra
narrow streets off Pignasecca
Leaving the market and continuing south along Via Toledo, we enter Royal Naples. On the right is the Umberto I Gallery, a cross-shaped shopping gallery with a steel and glass interior which is said to be remarkably impressive.
dried red chillies at a souvenir shop along Via Toledo
entrance of Umberto I Gallery
taxis queued up outside the shopping gallery
Opposite the gallery is Castel Nuovo, built in the 13th century originally as a royal residence and fortress. Today it houses art paintings by Neapolitan artists. Just ahead is Piazza del Plebiscito, the largest of the city’s public squares used for major events and concerts. The Royal Palace stands on one side of the square, with the eight statues of past kings. Facing the Royal Palace is the San Fracesco di Paola Church, a neoclassical replica of the Pantheon in Rome.
Castel Nuovo
open space of Plaza del Plebiscito
the Royal Palace and the row of statues of past kings
With the Royal Palace on the left, continuing on pass the square brings us to the port with the view of the Bay of Naples.
the Marina with Mt Vesuvius in the background
blue waters of the Bay of Naples
boats at dock
love locks
To me Naples was too noisy. Aslo about what I did not like was those thousends of modeds when they were driving on sidewalks between pedestrians. They drove too close and never one could not be sure if somebody took one’s backpack and drove away. I am sorry, but this was how I experencied Naples in 2008.
About Your photos. They are awesome. Most of all I like those photos “locals relaxing on the benches of Piazza Dante”. They are showing that some of us can be without any rush, but just to enjoy life and that is real know-how of living.
hi sartenada, yes i agree with you. It is pretty chaotic..the traffic and all. Ambulance and fire brigade sirens were blaring but they still couldn’t seem to get through the traffic. I did get a bit of a culture shock when i arrived the night before and did not feel completely safe roaming the streets of naples. But i enjoyed witnessing the local lifestyle especially in the pignasecca market, and the marina and bay area is very pretty.
It’s great that you liked the photos. Thank you!
ooo nice pics, your photo blog is really cool since it captures everyday life there. What are love locks ?
thanks gal.. love locks are supposedly a romantic tradition in Italy where couples write their names on the padlock synbolizing a seal of their love.
Certainly very colourful and eventful! I have an aunt who lives in Naples and although enjoy going there, I’m always on edge walking through some of the sides streets in Naples. Nevertheless this is a fascinating city rich in culture and heritage. The Italians have a famous saying about Naples..”Vedi Napoli e poi muori.” (See Naples and then die) The belief behind this proverb was that having seen Naples which is so beautiful there would be nothing else to live for!