A Naples guide wouldn't be complete without mentioning Cappella di San Gennaro. This is somewhat of a religious centre piece in Naples. It contains the skull and a few phials of congealed blood from the city’s patron saint San Gennaro. He was martyred at Pozzuoli in 305 AD and traditionally it is believed these phials of blood liquefied when his body was brought back to Naples. Many people gather at the Cappella di San Gennaro every year to pray for a miracle (that the blood will liquefy again and Naples will be saved from disaster).

Castel Nuovo was constructed by Charles I, who converted a Franciscan convent into the castle that stands today. Built in 1279, it has been renovated by the Aragonese in the 15th century, while another restoration project took place in the last century. Inside the castle is the Museo Civico, which interesting 14th and 15th Century Frescoes, and paintings by Neapolitan artists from the 17th to 20th centuries.

The Magnificent Palazzo Reale was built around 1600, was renovated in the 1800’s but suffered great damage in Word War II. Within the Palace there is the Museo del Palazzo Reale and the Biblioteca Nazionale, which contains about 2000 papyruses found in Herculaneum.

The Castel dell’Ovo is one of the oldest castles in Naples and situated on a little island just off the coast and is surrounded by legends as to its name. A walk around the winding lanes of the island is rewarding, especially if you visit the Fontana dell’Immacolatella. This fountain, situated on via Partenope, has statues by Bernini and Naccherini.

Last but not least in this Naples guide is Palazzo Reale di Capodimonte, a pinky hued grey palace, set in sprawling parklands to the north of Naples which houses the Museo e Gallerie di Capodimonte, with paintings from Bellini, Caravaggio, Botticelli and Titian. You can visit the Royal Apartments which are filled with armour, bronzes, porcelain and other pieces of art. There are also guided tours of the Catacombe di San Gennaro, below the Palace, of the tombs, frescoes and mosaics.

Useful information and websites:

Cappella de San Severo
Via de Sanctis 19

Cappella di San Gennaro
Found in the Cathedral (Duomo).
Via Duomo
Tel: + 39 081 44 90 97

Castel Nuovo
Piazza Municipio
Museo Civico
Tel: + 39 081 795 20 03

Palazzo Reale
On Piazza Trento e Trieste
Tel: + 39 081 794 40 21

Castel dell’Ovo
Borgo Marinaro
Tel: + 39 081 240 00 55

Palazzo Real di Capodimonte
Tel: + 39 081 749 91 11