NAPLES
(NAPOLI)
Regarding the oldest era,
there are the remains of the Roman Fort, the Temples of Cerere,
Giove (Zeus), and Apollo, the columbarium also called Tomb
of Virgilio (dating back to the Augustea era). The Christian
period is testified by the Catacombs of S. Gennaro from the
2nd Century, the Baptistery of S. John in Fonte (5th Century,
also preserving mosaics), the Cathedral 13th Century, readjusted),
and the Paleo-Christian Basilica of S. Giorgio Maggiore (4th-17th
Century).
The Medieval era, has its main testimonies in the Gothic Churches
of S. Lorenzo Maggiore (13th Century), S. Domenico Maggiore
(13th Century), S. Chiara (1310-28, which preserves a fresco
of Giotto and also has the famous ornate Cloister of stupendous
majolica) and S. Maria Donnaregina (1316).
Naples, as it has been said, was often a true and proper capital
and its civil buildings, show signs of these historic periods:
Castel Nuovo (New Castle) known as Maschio Angioino (1279-15th
Century, with a triumphal arch by F. Laurana), the Royal Palace
of Alfonso, The Cuomo Palaces (1464-90), Carafa (1466) and
Gravina (1513-49), Capuana Door (1484), the Tomb of Cardinal
Brancaccio (1426-28), by Donatello and Michelozzo).
The Renaissance also confirms its presence in the sacred architecture
of the churches of S. Anna of the Lombards (1411-18th Century,
which preserves the magnificent Piccolomini and Mastroguidice
Chapels), S. Caterina (1519-93), Gesù Nuovo (New Jesus)
(1584.1601), With the Carthusian Monastery of S. Martino (14th-17th
Century), and with the Convent of Gerolamini (16th-18th Centuries)
we move on to the Baroque and Rococo eras.
With the Royal Palace (1600-1748), Castel dell’Ovo (Castle)
(12th-17th Centuries) and the S. Carlo Theatre (1737), one
of the symbols of the City and one of the most blessed ‘Italian
style’ theatres in all of Europe, we already come in
full to the 18th Century.
Amongst the numerous City Museums, at least
the following should be noted: the National Archaeological
(with exhibitions mainly dealing with Pompeii and Ercolano),
G. Filangieri Civic, National Gallery of Capodimonte (one
of the most important Italian art galleries which can boast
remarkable masterpieces of the most famous artists of our
history of art), the National Museum of Ceramics of Duca of
Martina; and the Botanical Gardens.
|
Villa
Oriana
