Napoli has quite a long and interesting history. The town Neapolis arose in the 8th century BC and was originally the Greek settlement, then it was settled by the Roman emperors, then by the Byzantines, Normans, Spaniards, Napoleon Bonaparte and finally in 1860 Giuseppe Garibaldi joined Napoli to the Italian Kingdom.

It is quite significant that in 1973 erupted epidemics of cholera due to bad sanitary conditions in the city, during which 30 people died.

Unique architecture and history led Napoli in 1995 on the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

What to see in Napoli
Cathedral of San Gennaro, the Jesuit church of Gesù Nuovo (on the same-name square) with an unusual facade composed of the large stones. Just Opposite stands the Gothic church of Santa Chiara.

Piazza Municipio and Piazza del Plebiscito with the Church of San Francisco di Paola with unusual colonnades. Opposite there is the Royal Palace (Palazzo Reale), home library (Biblioteca Nazionale). There is also beautiful monumental passage of the 19th century – Galleria Umberto I.

If you have more time, look at the Castel Nuovo (new castle by the sea) and Castel dell’Ovo (castle of golden eggs).

You should see also Teatro di San Carlo, that is operating since 1737, and today it is the oldest active opera in Europe and one of the largest theaters in the world.

You can go on a trip to three famous islands: Procida, Ischia and Capri. To get to Pompeii and Mount Vesuvio you can take the train or bus.

There is also beautiful Amalfi Coast (Costiera Amalfitana) at the south from Napoli, with clear blue sea and imposing rocks.

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Castell’Arquato, Emilia-Romagna, Italy by mat’s eye

The main street in Castell’Arquato is known as Via Dante and anyone visiting the town will have to make their way up the street if they plan on reaching the castle. On your way up, you will pass a number of nice restaurants and shops. After you have climbed halfway up the hill, you will come to the Palazzo del Duca whose fountain was built back in 1292. Near the Palazzo you will find a tower from the 16th century that dominates the skyline.

Once you get to the top and before you can ever make it to the castle, you will come to the Palazzo Pretorio and Piazza Municipio which dates back to the late 1200s. During the months of July and August, the Enoteca Communale offers music and free wine tasting on Thursday nights.

Castell’Arquato, Emilia-Romagna, Italy by Benjamin Claverie

The Rocca Viscontea di Castell’Arquato is the castle in the center of the town. It is a masterpiece to say the least. You can wander through the courtyards and even visit the fortress museum. However, if you want to see the surrounding countryside around Castell’Arquato, you will need to pay a small fee to climb the stairs to the top of the castle’s tower. But before you leave the town, make sure to stop and rest in the park just outside of the castle before making your way back down to the lower parts of Castell’Arquato.

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