Naples is a historic city in southern Italy, the capital of the Campania region and the province of Naples. The city is known for its rich history, art, culture and gastronomy, playing an important role throughout much of its existence; it is over 2,500 years old. Naples is located halfway between two volcanic areas, the volcano Mount Vesuvius and the Phlegraean Fields, sitting on the coast by the Gulf of Naples.
The city of Naples was probably founded by the Greeks around the eighth century BC, just kilometres from the older town of Partenope; this ‘new town’ or ‘Neapolis’ has been absorbing the influences of its settlers and invaders ever since. Romulus Augustulus, last emperor of the Roman Empire, was imprisoned here after being overthrown in 476. In the sixth century, Naples was conquered by the Byzantines, and it was one of the last duchies to fall to the all-conquering Normans in 1039, as they founded the Kingdom of Sicily. In 1266 Naples and the kingdom of Sicily were given by Pope Clement IV to Charles of Anjou, who moved the capital from Palermo to Naples. In 1284 the kingdom was split in two, and stayed that way till 1816, when they would form the kingdom of Two Sicilies. In between, Naples had been under the rule of Spain, Austria, and the Bourbons, and had (briefly) been a Jacobin republic. Finally, in October 1860, it became part of the new Italy.
The Mediterranean climate of southern Italy is milder and sunnier than the north, with dry summers and wet autumns and winters in Naples. The coast has mild winters and warm, dry summers. July is the hottest month in Naples with average temperatures ranging from 18°C (64°F) to 29°C (85°F), while January ranges from 3°C (38°F) to12°C (54°F). The west coast of the Italian peninsula is generally wetter than the east coast and the southern 'Sirocco' wind brings high humidity with the rain.
Naples' economy has always been tied to its port. Regional enterprises include ironworks, petroleum refineries, cement works, food processing plants, and automobile and aircraft assembly plants. Naples is the industrial centre of southern Italy. Under the Bourbons the city had an early start in manufacturing, with foundation of the porcelain factory at the royal palace of Capodimonte in 1740 and the development of silk and other textile production soon thereafter. The textile industry has remained important. Other traditional industries of continuing importance are food processing and winemaking. The first steel mill opened at the end of the 19th century, but the industry did not add significantly to national production until the 1970s. Among the newer industries in the region are electronics manufacturing, petroleum refining, and automobile assembly. Tourism is a significant local industry.
Education in Italy is state-controlled and all schools, both public and private, are subject to comply with the curricula and teaching methods laid down by the Ministry of Public Education. Education is compulsory and free of charge for all children between the ages of 6 and 14 and is segmented into 5 classes at elementary level and 3 classes at lower secondary level (middle school). Higher Education in Italy is based on a system in which universities are expected to fulfill the twin tasks of teaching and research. Coeducational state university at Naples founded in 1224 as a studium generale by the Holy Roman emperor Frederick II to offset the dominant influence of the university at Bologna. The present university is state-controlled with administrative autonomy.
Naples has a public transport network consisting of buses, trolleys and a subway, which is complicated to use but preferable to taking on the city's notorious traffic jams in a hire car or taxi. Tickets for all forms of transport are uniform, and can be obtained at stations and kiosks that advertise the 'Gira Napoli' (Naples Pass). The city's ANM buses are fairly frequent, most departing from the Piazza Garibaldi. There are two metro lines, the 'Metropolitana' line being the one that serves downtown where most sights are located. Funicular railways run up the Vomero from stations at Piazza Montesanto, Amadeo and Augusto. There are taxi ranks in most piazzas, but using a taxi can prove expensive because of traffic congestion.
The building that houses Museo Archeologico Nazionale was completed in the first years of the 17th century, making use of a structure erected some years earlier. It was inaugurated in 1615 as the "Palace of Royal Studies", the seat of the University of Naples. At this point the building contained only the rich collections of antiquities, and became the Archeological Museum as we know it today. For some years the fabric has been undergoing extensive restoration work, now nearing completion, and once more a comprehensive reorganisation of the collections is in hand, with the dual purpose of documenting the role of private collectors in assembling our archeological patrimony and illustrating the various finds in their specific contexts.
The Chapel of San Gennaro is accessed from the south aisle of the Cathedral of Naples and this 13th-century Gothic building is dedicated to the patron saint of the city. Tradition tells the story of how two phials of San Gennaro's blood liquefied in the bishop's hand after his martyred body was transported to the church. Legend has it that disaster will strike if the blood fails to liquefy on specific festival days - the first Saturday in May, on September 19 and December 16. The liquefaction ceremony takes place during a special Mass in full view of the congregation.
Christmas in Naples entails a month-long celebration, offering a huge variety of events and traditions, rich in Neapolitan flavour. The Chiana district is at the heart of the festivities. Live music shows and gospel singing take place at various venues throughout the city, including some of the best-preserved historic churches, while theatres (Sannazaro, Teatro Augusteo and Teatro San Carluccio) stage themed performances.
Maggio dei Monumenti (May of Monuments) is an annual festival sponsored by the Council of Naples, with events taking place every weekend. Museums and monuments open for free, and there are special cultural activities all around the city. One of the most interesting activities is a series of guided walks through the historic district and the city's underground passages. There are also exhibitions and fairs, chamber music recitals, rock and pop concerts, cinema screenings, operettas, performances of classic Neapolitan songs, soccer matches, horse races, dance spectacles, parties and theatre events.
