Naples history

History of Naples: from Greek colony to Roman centre. This is a tale of cultural fusion, strategic importance, and remarkable resilience. A city whose roots reach deep into antiquity, it became one of the key centres of the Mediterranean.

The first settlement appeared here in the 8th century BC, when Greek colonists founded the city of Parthenope on the coast. Its name is linked to the myth of the siren Parthenope, whose body, according to legend, washed ashore at this very spot.

The birth of the "New City" took place in the 5th century BC. Near the old settlement, which came to be called Palaepolis ("Old City"), settlers from the Greek colony of Cumae founded Neapolis, which translates as "New City". It is from this name that the modern name of Naples is derived.

Key factors in its establishment were its advantageous geographical position and active trade. Its location in the picturesque and strategically important Gulf of Naples secured the city's status as a major seaport. As a vital part of Magna Graecia, Neapolis maintained close economic and cultural ties with Athens. In 326 BC, the city was conquered by the Romans, yet it retained significant autonomy, its language, and Hellenistic traditions.

Early cultural and economic features of Naples were evident even under Roman rule. The city remained a stronghold of Greek culture and was known as the "most Greek city in the West". Roman aristocrats, poets, and thinkers, including Virgil, flocked here. The city flourished thanks to maritime trade and its status as a popular retreat for the Roman nobility, who were attracted by its beauty and healing thermal baths.

Key Milestones in the History of Naples

The history of Naples is a kaleidoscope of eras and cultures that have left their mark on the architecture, traditions, and the very spirit of this southern city. From Greek colonists to a unified Italy, every period has contributed to forming the unique character of Naples.

• 8th century BC — Greek colonists found the first settlement named Parthenope, laying the foundation for the future great city.
• 470 BC — The "New City" — Neapolis — is founded near the old settlement, quickly becoming an important cultural and trading hub of Magna Graecia.
• 326 BC — The city forms an alliance with Rome, allowing it to preserve the Greek language and cultural traditions while integrating into the growing Roman Republic.
• 536 AD — After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, Naples is captured by the Byzantines and becomes an important duchy within their Italian territories.
• 1139 — The Normans conquer the city, incorporating it into the Kingdom of Sicily, marking the beginning of a new era in its history.
• 1224 — Emperor Frederick II founds the University of Naples, one of the oldest state universities in the world.
• 1282 — Following the "Sicilian Vespers" revolt, the Kingdom of Sicily splits, and Naples becomes the capital of the independent Kingdom of Naples.
• 1442 — Alfonso V of Aragon conquers Naples, uniting it with Sicily and beginning a period of cultural flourishing known as the Neapolitan Renaissance.
• 1647 — A popular uprising erupts led by the fisherman Masaniello against the heavy taxes of Spanish rule.
• 1734 — Charles VII of Bourbon conquers Naples, establishing an independent kingdom and beginning the rule of the Bourbon dynasty, under whom the city once again becomes one of the leading European capitals.
• 1816 — Following the Napoleonic Wars, the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies is created with Naples as its capital.
• 1860 — Giuseppe Garibaldi enters the city in triumph, and following a referendum, Naples joins the unified Kingdom of Italy.
• 1943 — During the "Four Days of Naples", citizens rise up and liberate the city from German occupation on their own before the arrival of Allied forces.

Key Stages of Naples' Development

Naples, one of the oldest cities in Europe, has undergone many transformations throughout its history. Each period has left a deep imprint on its culture, economy, and urban landscape, shaping the unique character we see today.

University Foundation and Intellectual Growth (1224)

One of the most important events in the city's cultural life was the founding of the University of Naples by Emperor Frederick II. It was one of the first state universities in the world, created as a counterweight to the schools of Bologna and Padua, which were under Papal influence. The establishment of the university secured Naples' status as a major intellectual and educational centre for centuries to come.

Capital of the Kingdom and Renaissance Flourishing (13th–15th Centuries)

After coming under the rule of the Angevin dynasty in the 13th century, Naples became the capital of the powerful Kingdom of Naples. This status gave a powerful impetus to urban planning and cultural development. Particularly vibrant was the period of the Aragonese dynasty in the 15th century, known as the Neapolitan Renaissance. During this time, iconic structures were built and renovated, and the city became a magnet for artists and scholars.

Spanish Rule and Baroque Transformation (16th–17th Centuries)

Under the rule of the Spanish Habsburgs, Naples turned into one of the largest cities in Europe, second only to Paris in population. This rapid growth was accompanied by active construction in the Baroque style, which largely defines the architectural look of the historic centre today. However, high population density and heavy taxes led to social tension, culminating in the famous Masaniello revolt in 1647.

The Bourbon Era: A Second "Golden Age" (18th Century)

In 1734, Naples regained independence under the Bourbon dynasty, marking the beginning of a new period of prosperity. King Charles VII and his successors initiated grandiose projects: the San Carlo Opera House, one of the oldest in Europe, and the magnificent Royal Palace of Caserta were built. The start of archaeological excavations in Pompeii and Herculaneum turned Naples into an essential stop on the "Grand Tour" for European aristocracy and intellectuals.

The "Risanamento" Project: The Great Reconstruction (Late 19th Century)

After the unification of Italy and a devastating cholera epidemic in 1884, a massive urban reconstruction plan was adopted — the "Risanamento" (making healthy again). The project involved demolishing old, overcrowded districts and laying out wide avenues, such as the modern Corso Umberto I, as well as creating a new water supply and sewage system. This "sanitary processing" radically changed the appearance of the city centre, although it led to the loss of some medieval buildings.

The architectural appearance of Naples is a unique layering of eras, where every ruler and every historical turn left their mark. The city represents a living museum, where ancient layouts coexist with lavish Baroque churches, and medieval castles stand alongside monumental 20th-century structures.

Ancient Heritage and the Middle Ages

The urban foundation of Naples was laid by the ancient Greeks. The historic city centre still preserves the orthogonal layout of ancient Neapolis with its straight and narrow streets — the decumani. With the arrival of the Angevin dynasty in the 13th century, Gothic architecture flourished in the city, absorbing French influences. Vivid examples of this era are the Cathedral of San Gennaro, combining several styles, and the church of Santa Chiara, originally built in the Provençal-Gothic style. Powerful castles, such as Castel Nuovo, were also erected during this period, becoming symbols of the new royal power.

Renaissance and Lavish Baroque

The Renaissance era came to Naples with the Aragonese dynasty in the 15th century. Although the Neapolitan Renaissance differs from the Florentine style, it gifted the city with elegant and harmonious buildings. The most iconic monument of this period is the triumphal arch at Castel Nuovo, celebrating the entry of King Alfonso V. However, the truly dominant style that defined the face of Naples became Neapolitan Baroque in the 17th and 18th centuries. During the Spanish viceroyalty and the subsequent Bourbon rule, the city was covered with a network of magnificent churches and palaces with lavish facades and intricate interiors. The church of Gesù Nuovo and the Sansevero Chapel with its famous sculptures are textbook examples of this theatrical and emotional style.

From Classicism to Modernity

In the 18th century, under the Bourbons, Baroque was replaced by a stricter and more majestic Classicism. The grandiose Piazza del Plebiscito was designed in this style, featuring the basilica of San Francesco di Paola, reminiscent of the Roman Pantheon. The end of the 19th century was marked by massive urban reconstruction known as the "Risanamento". Following a cholera epidemic, entire neighbourhoods were demolished and wide avenues such as Corso Umberto I were laid out, radically changing the look of the centre. The 20th century brought first the monumental architecture of the fascist period, and then, after World War II, a modern approach to urban planning. The apogee of this was the Centro Direzionale business district, designed by Japanese architect Kenzo Tange and built in the 1990s. Its skyscrapers, including the 129-metre Telecom Italia tower, created a new, modern skyline for Naples, symbolising its aspiration towards the future.

Outstanding Figures Forever Linked to Naples

Naples has gifted the world with many geniuses and talents whose names are inscribed in world history. From philosophers and artists to great performers and actors, this city has been the cradle or a significant chapter in the lives of many outstanding personalities of various eras.

Gian Lorenzo Bernini (1598–1680)

Role: Sculptor and architect.

Significance: Born in Naples, Bernini became one of the greatest masters of the Baroque era. Although he spent most of his brilliant career in Rome, his Neapolitan origins forever linked him to this city. Bernini is considered the creator of the Baroque style in sculpture; his works, such as the "Ecstasy of Saint Teresa" and the Fountain of the Four Rivers in Rome, are distinguished by incredible emotion and dynamism.

Giordano Bruno (1548–1600)

Role: Philosopher, poet, Dominican friar.

Significance: A native of Nola, located near Naples, Bruno received his education at the Neapolitan monastery of San Domenico Maggiore. He was one of the first to develop Copernicus's heliocentric theory, proposing ideas about the infinity of the Universe and the existence of multiple worlds. His bold cosmological and philosophical views led to conflict with the Inquisition, and in 1600 he was executed in Rome.

Enrico Caruso (1873–1921)

Role: Opera singer (tenor).

Significance: Enrico Caruso was born in Naples in a poor district and became one of the greatest opera singers of all time. His powerful and expressive voice conquered the world's main stages, from Milan's La Scala to New York's Metropolitan Opera. Caruso was one of the first musicians whose singing was mass-recorded on gramophone records, which brought him worldwide fame. He was also renowned for his performance of Neapolitan songs.

Eduardo De Filippo (1900–1984)

Role: Playwright, director, actor.

Significance: Born in Naples, Eduardo De Filippo is a key figure in 20th-century Italian theatre. Together with his sister Titina and brother Peppino, he founded the "Humorous Theatre of De Filippo" company. His plays, written in the Neapolitan dialect, such as "Filumena Marturano" (adapted into the film "Marriage Italian Style") and "Naples Millionaire", reflected the lives of ordinary people with both humour and tragedy.

Sophia Loren (born 1934)

Role: Actress.

Significance: Although Sophia Loren was born in Rome, her childhood and youth were spent in the town of Pozzuoli, near Naples, in conditions of poverty. She has always considered herself Neapolitan in spirit. Loren became one of the greatest stars of world cinema, an icon of Italian beauty and talent. She became the first actress to receive an Oscar for a performance in a foreign language film ("Two Women", 1961).