Naples Architecture

The catacombs of Naples represent a remarkable facet of the city’s architectural and religious heritage, offering a window into the early Christian communities that shaped its spiritual and cultural identity.

• Style: Paleo‑Christian subterranean basilica layout carved from tuff
• Year of construction: Origins in late 2nd–early 3rd century; expanded in 4th–5th centuries
• Address: Via Capodimonte 13, 80136 Napoli NA, Italy (entrance through Basilica dell’Incoronata Madre del Buon Consiglio)

One of southern Italy’s largest catacomb systems, featuring two levels of burials and worship spaces. Contains 5th–6th‑century frescoes, mosaics (including bishops’ crypt), early baptistries, and the original burial site of St. Januarius.

• Style: Paleo‑Christian underground necropolis
• Year of construction: 4th–5th century AD; built over pre-existing Greek-Roman necropolis
• Address: Under the Basilica of Santa Maria della Sanità, Piazza Sanità, 14, 80136 Napoli NA

Named after North African bishop Gaudiosus (died 451–453), it includes early frescoes of martyrs and pilgrims, plus a mosaic tomb of St. Gaudiosus. Rediscovered and restored after medieval floods, today a historic underground site.

aka Sant’Eusebio

• Style: Paleo‑Christian rock-cut cemetery
• Year of construction: Late 3rd century
• Address: Within Capuchin Convent of Sant’Eframo Vecchio, Rione Sanità, Naples

One of the earliest catacombs, dating to late 3rd century, located beneath a Capuchin convent. Notable for its early Christian layout and burials, though less extensively preserved today.

• Architect: Early Christian builders
• Style: Paleo‑Christian subterranean cemetery
• Year of construction: Late 4th century
• Address: Rione Sanità area

Hidden late-4th-century burial network associated with St. Severus. Part of Naples’ broader hypogeal tradition, though less visited and documented than San Gennaro or San Gaudiosus.

• Style: Paleo‑Christian rock-catacombs with basilica structure
• Year of construction: 4th century
• Address: Beneath or integrated with Church of San Pietro ad Aram, central Naples

4th-century catacomb with an early Christian basilica above. Revered as site where St. Peter is believed to have preached in Naples.

• Style: Paleo‑Christian subterranean cemetery
• Year of construction: 2nd century
• Address: Below former San Camillo hospital (convent of Santa Maria della Vita), central Naples

2nd-century burial site near the old hospital; largely lost today, though archaeological traces remain. Reflects one of Naples’ earliest Christian necropolises.

• Style: Paleo‑Christian basilica-catacomb
• Year of construction: Late 5th century
• Address: Near Vicolo dei Lammatari, ancient historic centre

A late-5th-century underground basilica dedicated to St. Euphemia, with funerary chambers and possible relic veneration sites.

• Style: Paleo‑Christian sepulchral basilica
• Year of construction: Possibly late 4th century
• Address: Near Vicolo dei Lammatari, historic centre

Early memorial-chapel for Saints Fortunato and Massimo with underground burial spaces, struck by later urban development.

• Style: Augustan-era Roman tomb later reused by Christians
• Year of construction: Circa 1st century AD; Christian reuse later (discovered 2011)
• Address: Piazza Santa Maria degli Angeli, central Naples

A recently rediscovered Roman-era catacomb beneath a church square in 2011. It shows the layers of Roman and early Christian burial practices in Naples.

• Style: Paleo‑Christian catacomb
• Year of construction: Undated (likely early centuries of Christianity)
• Address: Historic centre, Naples

Lesser-known underground burial network under the church of Santa Maria del Pianto. Part of Naples’ mysterious hypogeal landscape; infrequent public mention.

aka Sant’Eramo or under San Martino

• Style: Paleo‑Christian subterranean necropolis
• Year of construction: Early Christian period (2nd–5th century)
• Address: Beneath San Martino hill area, near Castel Sant’Elmo

These catacombs reflect early Christian burial beneath the San Martino complex. Though less accessible today, they demonstrate Naples’ dense underground Christian archaeological footprint.

Naples is home to a remarkable array of religious buildings that reflect the city’s diverse cultural, historical, and architectural legacy. From Gothic cathedrals and Baroque churches to ancient chapels and hidden sanctuaries, these places of worship have long served as spiritual centers and artistic landmarks. 

• Architect(s): Tino di Camaino (initial Gothic), later expanded by Giovanni Antonio Dosio, Cosimo Fanzago, Nicola Tagliacozzi Canale
• Style: Gothic origins, richly rebuilt in Baroque
• Constructed: Began 1325, inaugurated 1368; major Baroque works 1623–1656
• Address: Largo San Martino 5, 80129 Napoli NA, Italy

A former Carthusian monastery perched atop Vomero, now a museum. Features grand cloisters, Baroque art, and panoramic views over Naples.

Duomo di Napoli

• Architect(s): Various; original 13th-century Gothic structure with later Baroque, Renaissance, and Neoclassical additions
• Style: Primarily Gothic with Baroque and Renaissance overlays
• Constructed: Original began in the 13th century; restored post-1456 earthquake; Baroque elements from 17–18th c.
• Address: Via Duomo, 147, 80138 Napoli NA, Italy

The seat of the Archbishop of Naples, famous for the Treasure Chapel of St. Januarius and the annual miracle of the saint’s blood. A multi-layered, richly ornamented basilica.

• Architect(s): Portico by Leopoldo Laperuta; main building by Pietro Bianchi
• Style: Neoclassical, Pantheon-like rotunda
• Constructed: 1816–1846
• Address: Piazza del Plebiscito, 80132 Napoli NA, Italy

A grand circular church dominating Naples’ main square, modeled on the Roman Pantheon. Symbol of Bourbon restoration.

• Architect(s): Attributed to Giovan Giacomo di Conforto and others; façade recycled from a 15th‑c. palace
• Style: Neapolitan Baroque
• Constructed: 1584–1601; completed dome and interiors through 18th century; formal completion by 1750
• Address: Piazza del Gesù Nuovo, 2, 80134 Napoli NA, Italy

Striking Baroque church known for its diamond-patterned façade and richly frescoed interior, a highlight of Counter-Reformation artistry in Naples.

• Architect(s): Giovanni Antonio Dosio; façade by Ferdinando Fuga
• Style: Renaissance with later Neoclassical additions
• Constructed: 1592–1619; façade finished by 1780
• Address: Via dei Tribunali, 253, 80138 Napoli NA, Italy

A sober Renaissance church founded by the Oratorians, later adorned with Neoclassical façade, rich artworks, library and cloisters.

• Architect(s): Unknown
• Style: Gothic (Angioian) with later Baroque enhancements
• Constructed: Original church on site since 10th century; present Gothic 1283–1324; Baroque recon in 1670; Gothic restoration in 19th century
• Address: Piazza San Domenico Maggiore, 80134 Napoli NA, Italy

A Dominican Gothic landmark on the ancient Decumanus, cultural hub tied to Thomas Aquinas and Giordano Bruno, with Baroque interior details.

• Architect(s): Early 14th-century Gothic design; cloister by Domenico Antonio Vaccaro in 1730s
• Style: Gothic with 18th-century Baroque restoration
• Constructed: 1310–1328; cloister reworked in 1730s; rebuilt post-WWII in 1953
• Address: Via Santa Chiara, 49/a, 80134 Napoli NA, Italy

A major Angevin Gothic complex, known for its rectangular church, restored majolica-tiled cloister, and monastic community.

• Architect(s): Built atop ancient temple of the Dioscuri; Baroque reconstruction architect not specified
• Style: Baroque
• Constructed: Built on temple ruins; current church completed post-1688 earthquake
• Address: Piazza Gaetano, 63, 80138 Napoli NA, Italy

A Baroque basilica over a Roman temple, retaining antique columns. Noted for its Theatine legacy and saintly burials.

• Architect: Giuseppe Nuvolo
• Style: Baroque
• Constructed: 1602
• Address: Piazza Sanità, 33, 80136 Napoli NA, Italy

The Basilica of Santa Maria della Sanità is a church situated above the Catacombs of San Gaudioso, on a piazza near the intersection of Via Sanità and Via Teresa degli Scalzi, in the Sanità district.

• Architect(s): Unknown
• Style: Baroque
• Built: 1200
• Address: Piazza del Carmine, 2, 80142 Napoli NA, Italy

Santa Maria del Carmine sits at one end of Piazza Mercato, which has been the heart of civic life in Naples for many centuries until urban renewal in 1900 separated it from the rest of the city.

aka Sant’Agostino Maggiore

• Architect: Originally built mid-13th century; later Baroque reconstruction by Bartolomeo Picchiati in the 17th century; additional work by Francesco Antonio Picchiatti and Giuseppe Astarita in the 18th century
• Style: Gothic origins with extensive Baroque overlays
• Year of construction: Founded in 1259; Gothic structure completed mid-13th to early 14th century; major Baroque renovations in the 1600s–1700s
• Address: Via S. Agostino alla Zecca, 24, 80139 Napoli NA, Italy

Short Initially granted to the Augustinians in 1259, this church blends medieval Gothic structure with dramatic Baroque refurbishment. Currently closed since the 1980 Irpinia earthquake, it’s notable for frescoes by Giacinto Diano and a historic “skull” façade motif.

• Architect(s): Giovanni Giacomo Conforto (formerly attributed to Giovanni Guarino)
• Style: Neapolitan Baroque
• Year of construction: Built 1616–1627, consecrated 1669; façade portal by Landini (1634), dome in 1654
• Address: Largo Donnaregina, 80138 Napoli NA, Italy

A richly decorated Baroque church adjacent to the earlier Vecchia, commissioned by Clarissan nuns. Features a grand marble interior, frescoed nave ceiling by Francesco de Benedictis and apse frescoes by Francesco Solimena.

• Architect(s): Initially built by the Franciscans in the 13th century; later restorations not attributed
• Style: French-inspired Gothic with a wooden timber roof
• Year of construction: Founded c. 1270s–1280s under Charles II of Anjou; cloister and church built 13th–14th centuries
• Address: Piazza San Gaetano, 68, 80138 Napoli NA, Italy

A medieval Franciscan complex, combining a Gothic basilica and cloisters over a Roman market. Archaeological excavations reveal ancient Naples beneath.

• Architect(s): Designed by Sienese Tino di Camaino (tomb sculpture) and early 14th-century Franciscan workshop
• Style: Italian variant of French Gothic
• Year of construction: Rebuilt after 1293 earthquake; apse and choir c. 1307–1320; tomb 1325–26
• Address: Vico Donnaregina Vecchia, 1, 80138 Napoli NA, Italy

A rare surviving Gothic convent church with elevated choir for nuns, rich 14th-century fresco cycles and the sculptural tomb of Queen Maria of Hungary by Tino da Camaino.

• Architect(s): Designed by Giovanni Antonio Dosio and completed by Nicola and Cosimo Fanzago
• Style: Mannerist-Baroque
• Year of construction: 1560–1593
• Address: Via Santa Maria di Constantinopoli, 53, 80138 Napoli NA, Italy

Built for the Dominican nuns, this church and cloister ensemble feature elegant Mannerist lines with Baroque decorative additions and an impressive public façade.

• Architect(s): Originally built c. 1330; Baroque reconstruction by Dionisio Lazzari in mid-17th century
• Style: Gothic foundations with Baroque interior
• Year of construction: Founded 1330; rebuilt 1646–1688
• Address: Piazza Miraglia, 80138 Napoli NA, Italy

A charitable church and hospital site, combining medieval structure with a lavish Baroque interior by Lazzari; famed for its devotional artworks and marble altarpiece.

• Architect(s): Built by Domenico Antonio Vaccaro & contributions by Francesco Solimena
• Style: Baroque
• Year of construction: Late 16th–17th century (completed 1680s–1700s)
• Address: Via San Gregorio Armeno, 80138 Napoli NA, Italy

A striking Baroque monument built over the ancient temple of Ceres, now known for its ornate chapels and proximity to the nativity-crafting street bearing the same name.

• Architect(s): Built by Tino di Camaino; later Renaissance additions by Gabriele d’Agnolo, possibly Giovanni Francesco Mormando
• Style: Gothic and Renaissance mix
• Year of construction: Commissioned c. 1343 by Queen Joanna I; additions in 15th century
• Address: Via Carbonara, 51, 80139 Napoli NA, Italy

The church built by Joanna I of Naples showcases Gothic interiors with Renaissance chapels and sculptures; known for its tombs of the Angevins and 15th-century frescoes.

• Architect(s): Built by the Dominican order; later Baroque refurbishments
• Style: Gothic Renaissance with Baroque overlay
• Year of construction: Founded 1279; major rebuild completed c. 1412; Baroque interior updates in 17th century
• Address: Piazza Santa Maria la Nova, 44, 80134 Napoli NA, Italy

Originally a Dominican Gothic foundation alongside a hospital, this complex transformed through Renaissance reconstruction and Baroque interior embellishments, now serving as a parish and exhibition space.

aka Santa Maria di Monteoliveto

• Architect(s): Initial design attributed to Andrea Ciccione; major Renaissance work by Benedetto da Majano, Antonio Rossellino; Baroque façade work by Gaetano Sacco post-17th century
• Style: Gothic origins with notable Renaissance and later Baroque elements
• Year of construction: Founded 1411; Gothic nave early 15th c.; Renaissance chapels mid-1400s to early 1500s; façade reconstruction post-WWII
• Address: Piazza Monteoliveto 4, 80134 Napoli NA, Italy

A former Olivetan monastery turned Lombardi church, it blends Gothic structure with rich Renaissance chapels (Piccolomini, Correale) featuring sculptures by Rossellino and Maiano, plus Vasari’s frescoed sacristy. The site is a museum complex and active church.

• Architect: Medieval Angevin design; no specific architect identified
• Style: Angevin Gothic (Gotico Angioiano)
• Year of construction: Founded circa 1270 under Charles of Anjou; completed late 13th century
• Address: Piazza Mercato, Via Sant’Eligio, 1, 80133 Napoli NA, Italy

The first Angevin church in Naples, it offers austere Gothic architecture with pointed arches, a polygonal apse, and simple interior. Restored after WWII bombings to revive its 13th-century charm and features the iconic “Arco di Sant’Eligio.”

• Architect(s): Attributed to Emperor Constantine (4th c.), later integrations by medieval and Baroque architects within the Cathedral façade
• Style: Paleo-Christian with later Gothic and Baroque modifications
• Year of construction: Early 4th century (approx. 312 AD); rebuilt 13th century; integrated into Cathedral of Naples
• Address: Inside Naples Cathedral complex, Via Duomo, 147, 80138 Napoli NA, Italy

The earliest Christian basilica in Naples, built atop a former Temple of Apollo. Its three-nave layout, antique columns, and mosaic floors survive beneath the Gothic Cathedral.

aka Madonna del Pietà or Pietatella

• Architect(s): Designed by Raimondo di Sangro, with chapels originally by Giuseppe Sammartino and Francesco Celebrano
• Style: Late Baroque, Rococo
• Year of construction: Mid-18th century (about 1740–1750)
• Address: Via Francesco de Sanctis, 19/21, 80135 Napoli, Italy

Famed for the “Veiled Christ” marble sculpture by Giuseppe Sanmartino, this chapel houses extraordinary allegorical sculptures and a masterful interplay of light and stone.

• Architect(s): Built by the Franciscan order; façade and interior designs by Cosimo Fanzago (altar, chapel work)
• Style: Gothic with later Baroque ornamentation
• Year of construction: Began 13th century; Baroque additions mid-17th century
• Address: Via San Pietro a Majella, 80138 Napoli NA, Italy

Franciscan Gothic church overlooking the Conservatory. Noted for its ornate Fanzago altar, decorative chapels, and stunning frescoes from the Baroque period.

• Architect(s): Designed by Giovan Giacomo di Conforto; façade by Fuga; commissioned under a charitable confraternity
• Style: Baroque
• Year of construction: 1601–1604; façade added 1754
• Address: Via dei Tribunali, 253, 80138 Napoli NA, Italy

A Baroque church built by a lay confraternity, it houses Caravaggio’s powerful “Seven Works of Mercy.” The plain exterior hides a lavishly decorated interior.

• Architect(s): Initial Gothic by Dominican builders (1294–1343); Baroque redesign by Giuseppe Astarita (17th c.)
• Style: Gothic with Baroque renovations
• Year of construction: Groundbreaking 1294; completed monastery and church by 1343; cloister revised 1755
• Address: Corso Umberto I corner with Via Porta di Massa, central Naples

A Dominican Gothic church initiated under Charles II. It underwent major Baroque renovations and houses frescoes by Solimena, Diano, Conca, plus tombs of Angevin royalty.

• Architect(s): Designed by Giovanni Cola di Franco; decoration by Dionisio Lazzari
• Style: Baroque
• Year of construction: Completed 1616; consecrated 1638
• Address: Via dei Tribunali 39, 80138 Napoli NA, Italy

A two-story Baroque church and museum famous for its “winged skulls” and polychrome interiors. The lower hypogeum hosts the cult of the pezzentelle and is a rare example of anthropological devotion.

Chiesa Collegiata dello Spirito Santo

• Architect(s): Built between 1636–1676; no single architect named, likely community-funded by local merchants in Celsa fishing district
• Style: Baroque
• Year of construction: 1636–1676; elevated to Collegiate status in 1851
• Address: Napoli (specific street not stated; in historical Celsa quarter)

Built initially as a chapel of Santa Sofia, it became a parish for local sailors and included a hospital. Decorated with artworks by Lamberti, Guidi, Passeri, and celebrated devotional cults.

Santa Maria Egiziaca a Forcella

• Architect(s): Founded 1342 under Queen Sancha of Aragon; reconstructed by Gabriele d’Agnolo (1500) and Dionisio Lazzari (1684)
• Style: Baroque
• Year of construction: Founded 1342; Baroque reconstruction 1684
• Address: Near Corso Umberto I, Forcella district, Napoli

Built for former prostitutes, reflecting the penitent life of Mary of Egypt. Elegant Baroque appearance with polychrome marble, Lazzari ornamentation, and paintings by Vaccaro, Giordano, Solimena, and others.

• Architect: Giovan Giacomo di Conforto; façade by Cosimo Fanzago (1652)
• Style: Baroque
• Construction Period: Groundbreaking 1604; consecrated 1612
• Address: Via Santa Teresa degli Scalzi, 52, 80135 Napoli NA, Italy

Built by Discalced Carmelites, this church features an elaborate Baroque interior with works by Paolo De Matteis and Niccolò De Simone. Although the cupola collapsed in 1835 and was rebuilt, its Fanzago façade and stucco ornamentation remain impressive.

• Architect: Giuseppe Lucchesi (1705)
• Style: Baroque
• Construction Period: Built and dedicated in 1705
• Address: Via San Biagio dei Librai, #10, Naples

Built over an orphanage founded after the Masaniello revolt, the church features a Greek-cross plan with Corinthian columns. Abandoned after the 1980 earthquake, it’s under the care of the Sant’Egidio community today.

Sant’Agostino degli Scalzi

• Architect: Giovan Giacomo di Conforto; restored by Arcangelo Guglielmelli & Giuseppe Astarita (1688)
• Style: Baroque
• Construction Period: Groundbreaking 1603; consecrated 1653
• Address: Via S. Agostino degli Scalzi, 4, 80136 Napoli NA, Italy

Once tied to Discalced Augustinians, this late Baroque church showcases ornate stucco, frescoes by Massimo Stanzione & Giacomo del Po, and marble sculptures—though parts were damaged in the 1980 quake.

• Architects: Rebuilt 1587 by Minims inspired by Domenico Fontana; façade by Bartolomeo Picchiatti (1637), completed by Vaccaro (1734)
• Style: Baroque façade on earlier structure
• Construction Period: Founded 1571; rebuilt 1587; façade added 1637–1734
• Address: Via Stella, 25, 80137 Napoli NA, Italy

Dedicated to the Virgin Mary, this church was built to house a revered icon. With a façade evolving over a century, it reflects Baroque grandeur and devotional importance.

• Architect: Rebuilt in 17th century by Carmelo Passero; decorated by Gabriele Barrile & Andrea Canale
• Style: Neoclassical exterior, Baroque interior
• Construction Period: Founded 1576; rebuilt in 1600s
• Address: Via Santa Lucia, 102, 80132 Napoli NA, Italy

Honoring the Madonna della Catena (“Our Lady of the Chains”), this church houses the tomb of painter Jusepe de Ribera and Admiral Francesco Caracciolo. It historically hosted the local Feast of the Chain.

Naples boasts an impressive collection of historic palaces that showcase the city’s rich architectural heritage and noble past. From grand Renaissance residences to ornate Baroque marvels and elegant Neoclassical mansions, these palaces reflect centuries of artistic innovation and social prestige.

• Architect: Mario Gioffredo (18th-century restoration)
• Architectural Style: Renaissance with 18th-century Baroque modifications
• Year Built: 15th century; significant restoration in the 18th century
• Address: Via Nilo 30, Naples

Originally constructed in the 15th century, Palazzo d’Afflitto underwent extensive renovations in the 18th century. Notably, it houses a unique internal staircase featuring large curved arches over three floors. Additionally, a small theater built in 1748 by architect Mario Gioffredo is located within the palace.

• Architect: Ferdinando Fuga
• Architectural Style: Rococo
• Year Built: Construction between 1775 and 1780
• Address: Via Medina, Naples

Designed by architect Ferdinando Fuga, this Rococo palace was built between 1775 and 1780. The interior features frescoes by Giovanni Funaro and Nicola Malinconico. In 1927, the palace became offices of the Fascist party.

• Architect: Mario Gioffredo (18th-century restoration)
• Architectural Style: Renaissance with 18th-century Baroque modifications
• Year Built: 15th century; significant restoration in the 18th century
• Address: Via Nilo 30, Naples

Originally constructed in the 15th century, Palazzo d’Afflitto underwent extensive renovations in the 18th century. Notably, it houses a unique internal staircase featuring large curved arches over three floors. Additionally, a small theater built in 1748 by architect Mario Gioffredo is located within the palace.

Palazzo Arcivescovile di Napoli

• Architect(s): Information not found in accessible sources; complex evolved from medieval period with several renovations.
• Style: Eclectic, combining medieval foundations, Renaissance, and Baroque additions
• Year of construction: Medieval origin; significant later expansions, exact dates not widely documented
• Address: Adjacent to Naples Cathedral, Via Duomo, 147, 80138 Napoli NA

The administrative seat of the Archdiocese of Naples. Historically significant and closely integrated with the Cathedral complex; specific architectural lineage remains under-documented in general sources.

• Architects: Marcello Canino and Arnaldo Foschini
• Architectural Style: Rationalist
• Year Built: Construction started in 1939; completed in 1957
• Address: Via Cervantes, Naples

This monumental 20th-century building was designed by architects Marcello Canino and Arnaldo Foschini. The rationalist style is characterized by a massive block clad in stone and travertine, with windows lined along the basement and first floor separated by pillars. The interior features mosaics depicting rural scenes and seascapes.

• Architect: Unknown
• Architectural Style: Neoclassical
• Year Built: Early 19th century
• Address: Piazza del Plebiscito, Naples

Palazzo Barbaja is a neoclassical building located in Piazza del Plebiscito. It was built in the early 19th century and is named after Domenico Barbaja, a famous impresario of the San Carlo Theatre. The palace is known for its elegant façade and historical significance in Naples’ cultural scene.

• Architects: Alfonso Guerra and Luigi Ferrara
• Architectural Style: Neo-Renaissance
• Year Built: Construction began in 1895
• Address: Piazza Bovio, Naples

Designed by architects Alfonso Guerra and Luigi Ferrara, Palazzo della Borsa was constructed in the late 19th century in a Neo-Renaissance style. The building was originally home to the local stock exchange and now houses the Neapolitan Chamber of Commerce. Its grand architecture features sculptures and frescoes by renowned artists.

• Architect: Unknown
• Architectural Style: Baroque
• Year Built: 17th century
• Address: Via San Biagio dei Librai, Naples

Palazzo Buono is a Baroque-style palace located on Via San Biagio dei Librai. The building features typical Baroque elements such as ornate façades and intricate detailing. It stands as a testament to the architectural grandeur of 17th-century Naples.

• Architects: Giovanni Antonio Medrano, Antonio Canevari, Ferdinando Fuga, Antonio Niccolini
• Architectural Style: Neoclassical
• Year Built: Construction began in 1738; completed in 1758
• Address: Via Miano 2, Naples

The Palace of Capodimonte was constructed as a royal hunting lodge for King Charles of Bourbon. The palace showcases Neoclassical architecture and is now home to the Museo di Capodimonte, housing an extensive collection of Italian and European art. It is situated within the Real Bosco di Capodimonte, a large park and former royal hunting reserve.

• Architect: Domenico Fontana (16th-century reconstruction); Martino Buonocore (18th-century reconstruction)
• Architectural Style: Baroque
• Year Built: 16th century; reconstructed in the 17th and 18th centuries
• Address: Via Benedetto Croce 45, Naples

Palazzo Carafa della Spina is a historic palace located on Via Benedetto Croce in Naples. The building was originally constructed in the 16th century and later reconstructed in the 17th and 18th centuries. It features a Baroque-style façade and is known for its architectural significance in the historic center of Naples.

• Architect: Masuccio Secondo or Angelo Aniello Fiore (15th-century restoration)
• Architectural Style: Renaissance
• Year Built: 15th century; restored in 1466
• Address: Via San Biagio dei Librai 119–121, Naples

Palazzo Diomede Carafa, also known as Palazzo Santangelo, is a monumental Renaissance palace located in central Naples. The palace was first built in the 15th century and restored in 1466. It features twelve niches depicting members of the Carafa lineage and a terracotta horse head sculpture in the courtyard, which was originally bronze and is now housed in the National Archaeological Museum.

• Architect: Luigi and Carlo Vanvitelli
• Architectural Style: Neoclassical
• Year Built: 1780
• Address: Piazza VII Settembre 28, Naples

Built in 1780 by Luigi and Carlo Vanvitelli for the Doria family, this palace is a fine example of Neoclassical architecture. It features a grand Hall of Mirrors with a ceiling frescoed by Fedele Fischetti in 1784. The palace is located at the junction of Via Toledo and Via Sant’Anna dei Lombardi.

• Architect: Unknown
• Architectural Style: Baroque
• Year Built: 17th century
• Address: Via San Biagio dei Librai, Naples

Palazzo Firrao is a Baroque-style palace located on Via San Biagio dei Librai in Naples. The building features typical Baroque elements such as ornate façades and intricate detailing. It stands as a testament to the architectural grandeur of 17th-century Naples.

• Architect: Giuseppe Alviani
• Architectural Style: Late Baroque
• Year Built: 1761
• Address: Via Medina 61, Naples

Originally the residence of Duke Giuseppe Giordano, the present structure was completed in 1761 by architect Giuseppe Alviani. The palace showcases a late Baroque design and is located in the Quartiere San Giuseppe of Rione Carita.

• Architect: Domenico Antonio Vaccaro
• Architectural Style: Baroque
• Year Built: 1740s
• Address: Naples, Italy

Designed by architect Domenico Antonio Vaccaro, this late Baroque palace was completed in the 1740s as a quarantine station for the port of Naples. The palace is named after the statue of the Immaculate Conception by Francesco Pagano, which stands on the roofline over the entrance.

• Architect: Mario Gioffredo
• Architectural Style: Baroque
• Year Built: 1758–1761
• Address: Via Tarsia 28, Naples

Constructed between 1758 and 1761 by architect Mario Gioffredo, this monumental palace was built by merging three adjacent houses. The front exterior features a massive stone portal leading into a small inner courtyard with stairs. In 1988, it became the property of the Faculty of Architecture and is now used for classrooms and offices.

• Architect: Unknown
• Architectural Style: Baroque
• Year Built: 17th century
• Address: Via Nilo, Naples

Palazzo di Ludovico di Bux is a Baroque-style palace located on Via Nilo in Naples. The building features typical Baroque elements such as ornate façades and intricate detailing. It stands as a testament to the architectural grandeur of 17th-century Naples.

• Architect: Giovanni Francesco Mormando
• Architectural Style: Renaissance
• Year Built: 1512–1513
• Address: Via San Biagio dei Librai 39, Naples

Designed by Giovanni Francesco Mormando, this Renaissance-style palace was built between 1512 and 1513. It was originally constructed for Bartolomeo di Capua, Prince of Riccia and Count of Altavilla. The palace features a three-tiered façade with piperno stone base, arched windows supported by architectural pillars, and decorated marble cornices.

• Architect: Ferdinando Sanfelice (early 18th century)
• Architectural Style: Baroque
• Year Built: 1727–1729
• Address: Via Tribunali 154, Naples

The Monte di Pietà is a historic charitable institution housed in a Baroque palace designed by Ferdinando Sanfelice. Known for its elegant façade and richly decorated interiors, the building served as a pawnshop founded to aid the poor and remains an important example of Naples’ social and architectural history.

• Architect: Vincenzo Vecchio
• Architectural Style: Eclectic, with Renaissance and Baroque influences
• Year Built: 1887
• Address: Via Duomo 288, Naples

The Museo Civico Filangieri is housed in a historic palace built by Vincenzo Vecchio. The museum hosts an extensive collection of fine arts, antiques, and artifacts, blending eclectic architectural styles and serving as a cultural landmark in Naples’ historic center.

• Architect: Marcello Canino and Carlo Vecchia
• Architectural Style: Rationalist / Fascist architecture
• Year Built: 1938
• Address: Via Depretis 130, Naples

This building was constructed as a social institution for war veterans during the Fascist period. It showcases Rationalist architecture, characterized by austere lines and monumental forms typical of 1930s Italy, and stands as an emblem of Naples’ 20th-century architectural heritage.

• Architect: Unknown; possible contributions by Giovan Antonio Dosio
• Architectural Style: Renaissance and Baroque elements
• Year Built: 15th–16th centuries, with later modifications
• Address: Via Monteoliveto 4, Naples

A historic palace belonging to the Orsini family, Palazzo Orsini di Gravina combines Renaissance and Baroque architectural elements. It is noted for its grand courtyard, ornate interiors, and its role as a residence of Neapolitan nobility.

• Architect: Stefano Gasse (restoration)
• Architectural Style: Neoclassical
• Year Built: Originally 17th century; rebuilt in the 19th century
• Address: Via Municipio 39, Naples

Palazzo San Giacomo is the city hall of Naples, originally built in the 17th century and extensively remodeled in Neoclassical style by Stefano Gasse in the early 19th century. The palace is located in Piazza Municipio and serves as an important civic and administrative center.

• Architect: Unknown
• Architectural Style: Renaissance
• Year Built: 15th century
• Address: Via Nilo 22, Naples

Palazzo del Panormita is a Renaissance palace named after the humanist Antonio Beccadelli, known as Panormita. The building reflects early Renaissance architectural features and has historical significance related to Neapolitan intellectual history.

• Architect: Unknown
• Architectural Style: Baroque
• Year Built: 17th century
• Address: Via Monte di Dio 4, Naples

This Baroque palace is known for its richly decorated interiors and historical significance as a residence of the Pignatelli noble family. It stands as a fine example of Neapolitan aristocratic architecture.

• Architect: Marcello Canino and Arnaldo Foschini
• Architectural Style: Rationalist
• Year Built: 1936–1939
• Address: Piazza Matteotti 7, Naples

The Palazzo delle Poste is an important example of Rationalist architecture in Naples, designed by Marcello Canino and Arnaldo Foschini. It serves as the main post office building and features monumental façades typical of Fascist-era public architecture.

• Architect: Luigi Vanvitelli
• Architectural Style: Baroque
• Year Built: 1660s
• Address: Piazza del Plebiscito 1, Naples

Also known as Palazzo della Foresteria, this Baroque palace was designed by Luigi Vanvitelli and serves as the office of the Prefect of Naples. Located in the iconic Piazza del Plebiscito, it stands alongside the Royal Palace and Basilica of San Francesco di Paola.

• Architect: Unknown
• Architectural Style: Renaissance/Baroque
• Year Built: 16th century
• Address: Via Tribunali 283, Naples

Palazzo Ricca is an historic building notable for its Renaissance-Baroque fusion. It is now home to the Naples Museum of Ancient Art and houses important collections of artworks and artifacts.

Palazzo Reale

• Architects: Domenico Fontana (initial), later contributions by Luigi Vanvitelli and Ferdinando Fuga
• Architectural Style: Renaissance-Baroque with later Neoclassical modifications
• Year Built: 1600–1603; expanded and modified through 18th century
• Address: Piazza del Plebiscito, Naples

The Royal Palace of Naples was built as a residence for the Spanish viceroys and later the Bourbon kings. It is a grand example of Renaissance-Baroque architecture and features sumptuous interiors, royal apartments, and the Teatro di Corte. The palace overlooks the historic Piazza del Plebiscito.

• Architect: Ferdinando Sanfelice
• Architectural Style: Baroque
• Year Built: Early 18th century
• Address: Via Sanfelice 32, Naples

Designed by the renowned architect Ferdinando Sanfelice, this palace is famous for its dramatic Baroque staircases and dynamic façade. It epitomizes Sanfelice’s innovative approach to Neapolitan Baroque architecture.

• Architect: Unknown
• Architectural Style: Baroque
• Year Built: 17th century
• Address: Via dei Tribunali, Naples

This palace belonged to the noble di Sangro family and is an example of Baroque architecture in Naples. It features elaborate interiors and played a role in Naples’ aristocratic society.

• Architect: Unknown
• Architectural Style: Baroque
• Year Built: 17th century
• Address: Via San Biagio dei Librai, Naples

A Baroque palace associated with the di Sangro family branch from Casacalenda. It reflects the wealth and influence of the family and features rich architectural decoration characteristic of the period.

• Architect: Ferdinando Sanfelice and later Luigi Vanvitelli
• Architectural Style: Baroque and Rococo
• Year Built: 17th century
• Address: Via Monte di Dio, Naples

The Palazzo Serra di Cassano is an aristocratic residence showcasing Baroque and Rococo styles. Notable for its grand staircase designed by Sanfelice, it currently houses the Accademia di Belle Arti di Napoli (Academy of Fine Arts).

• Architect: Ferdinando Sanfelice
• Architectural Style: Baroque
• Year Built: 1728
• Address: Via Vergini 39, Naples

Designed by Ferdinando Sanfelice, this palace is famous for its ornate double spiral staircase and elaborate façade. It is a masterpiece of Neapolitan Baroque architecture and residential design.

• Architect: Unknown
• Architectural Style: Baroque
• Year Built: 17th century
• Address: Via Nilo, Naples

A Baroque palace belonging to the Spinelli family, notable for its decorative elements and central location within Naples’ historic center. It reflects the grandeur of aristocratic residences in the city.

• Architect: Unknown
• Architectural Style: Renaissance with later modifications
• Year Built: 15th century
• Address: Via Benedetto Croce 34, Naples

Originally built in the 15th century, Palazzo Venezia features Renaissance architecture with later alterations. The palace is named after the Venetian family that once owned it and is located in the historic center.

• Architect: Cosimo Fanzago
• Architectural Style: Baroque
• Year Built: 1637–1639
• Address: Via Toledo 185, Naples

Designed by Cosimo Fanzago, this Baroque palace is known for its richly decorated façade and important art collections, including Caravaggio’s “Martyrdom of Saint Ursula.” It currently houses the Banco di Napoli Foundation’s art gallery.

• Architect: Unknown; attributed to Cosimo Fanzago for later works
• Architectural Style: Baroque with Renaissance elements
• Year Built: Early 17th century (begun around 1610)
• Address: Via Posillipo 7, Naples

This striking seaside palace is perched dramatically on the cliffs of Posillipo. Although unfinished, Palazzo Donn’Anna remains one of Naples’ most picturesque and iconic Baroque villas, blending Renaissance origins with later Baroque modifications.

• Architect: Unknown
• Architectural Style: Renaissance-Baroque
• Year Built: 16th century with later Baroque refurbishments
• Address: Via Carbonara 71, Naples

Once the residence of the powerful Caracciolo family, this palace features Renaissance foundations enhanced with Baroque decorative details. Its location near the historic center adds to its significance.

Naples is home to a stunning array of historic villas that showcase the city’s rich blend of architectural styles and aristocratic heritage. From dramatic Baroque seaside residences perched on cliffs to elegant Neoclassical retreats nestled in lush gardens, these villas reflect centuries of artistic evolution and the refined tastes of Naples’ nobility.

• Architect: Unknown; later works attributed to Cosimo Fanzago
• Architectural Style: Baroque with Renaissance elements
• Year Built: Early 17th century (begun around 1610)
• Address: Via Posillipo 7, Naples

This iconic villa dramatically perched on the cliffs of Posillipo blends Renaissance origins with Baroque modifications. Although never fully completed, Villa Donn’Anna remains one of Naples’ most photographed and architecturally significant seaside residences.

• Architect: Antonio Niccolini
• Architectural Style: Neoclassical
• Year Built: 1817–1819
• Address: Via Cimarosa 77, Naples (within the Vomero district)

Commissioned by Duchess Floridia, this Neoclassical villa is set in a large park offering panoramic views of Naples. Today it houses the Museo Duca di Martina, which exhibits a rich collection of decorative arts.

• Architect: Unknown
• Architectural Style: 19th-century eclectic / Neoclassical
• Year Built: 19th century
• Address: Via Francesco Girardi, Naples

Villa Giulia is a historic villa known for its elegant architecture and lush gardens. It exemplifies 19th-century eclectic styles popular among Naples’ upper classes during that era.

• Architect: Pietro Valente (main building)
• Architectural Style: Neoclassical
• Year Built: 1826
• Address: Riviera di Chiaia 200, Naples

Villa Pignatelli is a splendid Neoclassical villa overlooking the Bay of Naples. It houses the Museo Pignatelli and features beautiful interiors and landscaped gardens, highlighting 19th-century aristocratic taste.

• Architect: Giuliano da Maiano
• Architectural Style: Renaissance
• Year Built: 1487–1489
• Address: Area near Naples (exact location largely lost; ruins exist)

Poggio Reale was a Renaissance villa commissioned by Alfonso II of Naples. Though now mostly in ruins, it was once a symbol of Renaissance architectural innovation and courtly luxury near Naples.

• Architect: Unknown
• Architectural Style: Eclectic with Neo-Renaissance influences
• Year Built: Late 19th century
• Address: Via Petrarca, Naples

Located in the Posillipo district, Villa Rocca Matilde combines eclectic and Neo-Renaissance architectural elements. It is known for its scenic views of the Gulf of Naples and picturesque gardens.

• Architect: Angelo Landi (early 19th century)
• Architectural Style: Neoclassical
• Year Built: Early 19th century
• Address: Via Ferdinando Fuga, Naples (Posillipo area)

Villa Rosebery is a Neoclassical villa currently serving as one of the official residences of the President of Italy. It is surrounded by extensive gardens with spectacular views over the Bay of Naples.

• Architect: Ferdinando Sanfelice
• Architectural Style: Baroque
• Year Built: Early 18th century
• Address: Via Petrarca, Naples

This Baroque villa designed by Ferdinando Sanfelice is noted for its dramatic staircases and panoramic views. Villa Carafa of Belvedere represents the opulence of Naples’ noble families and their architectural patronage.

• Architect: Luigi Vanvitelli (initial), later completed by Carlo Vanvitelli
• Architectural Style: Neoclassical
• Year Built: Late 18th century
• Address: Via Santa Teresa degli Scalzi 35, Naples

Originally built for the noble Doria family, this elegant Neoclassical villa is known for its refined architectural details and lush gardens. It reflects the transition from Baroque grandeur to Neoclassical elegance in Naples.

• Architect: Unknown
• Architectural Style: Eclectic with Art Nouveau elements
• Year Built: Early 20th century
• Address: Via Posillipo 211, Naples

Villa Lucia stands out for its eclectic architecture, incorporating Art Nouveau influences popular in early 1900s Naples. It is nestled in the scenic Posillipo area, surrounded by gardens overlooking the sea.

• Architect: Unknown
• Architectural Style: Renaissance/Baroque
• Year Built: 17th century
• Address: Via San Teodoro, Naples

This villa is an elegant example of Naples’ aristocratic residences with Renaissance foundations and Baroque renovations. It is lesser known but important for understanding local noble life.

• Architect: Luigi Vanvitelli
• Architectural Style: Late Baroque / Rococo
• Year Built: 1760s
• Address: Via Mergellina 5, Naples

Located in the Posillipo district, Villa Campolieto was designed by Luigi Vanvitelli and features exquisite late Baroque and Rococo details. It offers lush gardens and views over the Bay of Naples.

Naples is home to a remarkable collection of castles that reflect the city’s strategic importance and layered history from the medieval era through the Renaissance and beyond. These fortresses and royal residences showcase a range of architectural styles—from Norman military strongholds to elegant Renaissance palaces and imposing star forts—each telling a story of Naples’ political power, defense, and royal heritage.

Castel Carmine

• Architect: Unknown
• Architectural Style: Medieval fortress
• Year Built: Originally 9th century; mostly demolished in later centuries
• Address: Area near Porta Carmine, Naples

Once a medieval fortress built to defend Naples, Carmine Castle has been largely demolished and little remains today. It played a role in the city’s early defensive network but was replaced over time by more substantial fortifications.

• Architect: Originally Norman architects; later modifications by various Renaissance architects including Giuliano da Maiano
• Architectural Style: Originally Norman medieval, later Renaissance renovations
• Year Built: 12th century (Norman period), with significant renovations in the 15th century
• Address: Via dei Tribunali 213, Naples

Castel Capuano is one of Naples’ oldest castles, originally built by the Normans as a defensive fortress. It was later transformed into a Renaissance palace and served as a royal residence and law courts. It remains an important symbol of medieval and Renaissance Naples.

• Architect: Unknown
• Architectural Style: Medieval fortress with Roman and Norman influences
• Year Built: 12th century (on earlier Roman foundations)
• Address: Via Eldorado, Naples, on the small island of Megaride

Castel dell’Ovo is Naples’ oldest standing fortress, famed for its scenic location on the small island of Megaride. Legend ties the castle’s name to a magical egg that protects it. The fortress has served various defensive and royal functions throughout history.

• Architect: Charles I of Anjou commissioned; architect unknown; later Renaissance additions by Francesco Laurana and Guiliano da Maiano
• Architectural Style: Medieval with Renaissance additions
• Year Built: 1279–1282; Renaissance additions in the 15th century
• Address: Piazza Municipio, Naples

Also known as Maschio Angioino, Castel Nuovo is the iconic medieval castle in central Naples. It served as a royal residence, fortress, and seat of government, blending medieval military architecture with Renaissance artistic embellishments. It remains a key historic landmark.

• Architect: Designed by Francesco di Giorgio Martini; construction overseen by Gian Giacomo di Conforto and others
• Architectural Style: Star fort / Renaissance military architecture
• Year Built: Construction started in 1329, completed mid-16th century
• Address: Via Tito Angelini 20, Naples

Castel Sant’Elmo is a star-shaped fortress perched on Vomero hill, designed for defense with thick walls and bastions. It offers panoramic views of Naples and the Bay, symbolizing the city’s military strength during the Renaissance period.

Naples boasts a rich theatrical tradition reflected in its stunning historic theatres, which blend artistic grandeur with architectural beauty. From the world-renowned Baroque elegance of the Teatro di San Carlo to charming venues showcasing Neapolitan culture, these theatres have been cultural hubs for centuries.

• Architect: Giovanni Antonio Medrano (original design)
• Architectural Style: Baroque with later Neoclassical renovations
• Year Built: 1737
• Address: Via San Carlo 98, Naples

The Real Teatro di San Carlo is the oldest continuously active opera house in Europe and a masterpiece of Baroque architecture. Renowned for its opulent interiors and exceptional acoustics, it has hosted many world premieres and remains a cultural icon of Naples.

• Architect: Unknown
• Architectural Style: Baroque
• Year Built: Early 17th century (circa 1600)
• Address: Originally located near Via San Giovanni a Carbonara, Naples (demolished)

Teatro della Commedia Vecchia was one of Naples’ earliest public theatres, hosting comedies and popular performances during the 17th century. Though it no longer exists, it played a key role in the development of Neapolitan theatre tradition.

• Architect: Unknown; rebuilt several times
• Architectural Style: Baroque and Neoclassical elements
• Year Built: Originally 17th century; rebuilt in 19th century
• Address: Via San Nicola da Tolentino, Naples

The Teatro dei Fiorentini was a prominent venue for comic operas and popular entertainment in Naples. It features Baroque origins with later Neoclassical refurbishments and was an important cultural hub in the city’s theatrical history.

• Architect: Unknown
• Architectural Style: Baroque
• Year Built: 1620
• Address: Originally near Piazza San Domenico Maggiore, Naples (destroyed by fire in 1681)

Teatro San Bartolomeo was Naples’ first public opera house, instrumental in the city’s early operatic scene. Though destroyed by fire in the late 17th century, it paved the way for later theaters like the San Carlo.

• Architect: Designed by Marcello Canino (originally a church converted into a theatre)
• Architectural Style: Rationalist (conversion in the 1930s)
• Year Built: Originally 18th century (as a church); converted to theatre 1930s
• Address: Via Monte di Dio 14, Naples

Teatro Augusteo is a prominent concert hall in Naples, originally a church transformed into a theatre during the Fascist era. It features Rationalist architectural elements and is known for its excellent acoustics and hosting symphonic performances.

• Architect: Carlo Sorgente (interior renovations by Luigi Cosenza)
• Architectural Style: Neoclassical
• Year Built: 1878
• Address: Via Conte di Ruvo 14, Naples

Named after composer Vincenzo Bellini, this Neoclassical theatre is a central venue for opera, ballet, and theatrical performances in Naples. It retains elegant interiors and remains a cultural staple in the city.

• Architect: Architect unknown; rebuilt multiple times
• Architectural Style: Early 20th-century eclectic
• Year Built: Originally late 19th century; rebuilt 1920s and 2015
• Address: Via Giovanni Paladino 42, Naples

Teatro Trianon Viviani is famous for traditional Neapolitan theatre and musical revues. It blends historic charm with modern updates, serving as a lively venue celebrating local culture.

• Architect: Designed by Angelo Viva and later renovated by Enrico Alvino
• Architectural Style: Neoclassical
• Year Built: 1853
• Address: Piazza Municipio 1, Naples

Teatro Mercadante is a Neoclassical theatre located near Castel Nuovo, hosting operas, plays, and concerts. It is named after composer Saverio Mercadante and features elegant interiors reflecting 19th-century tastes.

Naples boasts a rich tradition of libraries housed within some of the city’s most historic and architecturally significant buildings. From grand Baroque palaces to neoclassical landmarks, these libraries safeguard vast collections of manuscripts, rare books, and archival treasures that reflect the cultural and intellectual heritage of Naples and southern Italy.

• Architect: Originally Palazzo Reale designed by Domenico Fontana; library established later
• Architectural Style: Renaissance-Baroque palace architecture
• Year Built: Palace built 1600–1612; library established 18th century
• Address: Piazza del Plebiscito, Naples

Housed within the historic Royal Palace of Naples, the Biblioteca Nazionale Vittorio Emanuele III is one of Italy’s most important national libraries. It holds an extensive collection of manuscripts, books, and archival materials crucial for research on Naples and Southern Italy.

• Architect: Originally part of the Girolamini complex designed by Dionisio Lazzari and others
• Architectural Style: Baroque
• Year Built: 16th–17th centuries (library built around 1590)
• Address: Via Duomo 142, Naples

The Biblioteca dei Girolamini is a historic library attached to the Girolamini Church complex, famous for its ornate Baroque interiors and rich collection of rare manuscripts and early printed books. It represents a key cultural and religious heritage site in Naples.

Archivio di Stato di Napoli

• Architect: Palazzo della Consulta designed by Luigi Vanvitelli
• Architectural Style: Late Baroque / Neoclassical
• Year Built: Palazzo built 1739–1743; archives established 19th century
• Address: Via Leonardo Bianchi 39, Naples

The State Archives of Naples are housed in the historic Palazzo della Consulta. The archives preserve extensive documents relating to Naples’ legal, political, and social history, making it a vital resource for scholars and historians.

Biblioteca Universitaria di Napoli

• Architect: Originally part of the Palazzo degli Studi, redesigned by Luigi Vanvitelli
• Architectural Style: Baroque with Neoclassical modifications
• Year Built: Established mid-18th century; building dates back to earlier periods with expansions
• Address: Via Mezzocannone 8, Naples

The University Library of Naples holds a vast collection of academic and historical texts, serving the University of Naples Federico II. It is housed in a historic building reflecting Baroque and Neoclassical architectural influences and plays a key role in Naples’ scholarly community.

• Architect: Various, located in Palazzo Giusso (18th century)
• Architectural Style: Baroque palace
• Year Built: Palazzo Giusso built in the 18th century
• Address: Via Duomo 276, Naples

This specialized historical library is dedicated to the history of Naples and Southern Italy. Located within the Baroque Palazzo Giusso, it holds valuable documents and publications related to regional history and culture.

• Architect: Part of Palazzo Serra di Cassano complex designed by Ferdinando Sanfelice
• Architectural Style: Baroque and Rococo
• Year Built: 17th century
• Address: Via Monte di Dio 14, Naples

The library of the Academy of Fine Arts is housed in the architecturally stunning Palazzo Serra di Cassano. It contains extensive collections focused on art history, theory, and practice, complementing the Academy’s cultural mission.

Naples’ city walls, towers, and gates stand as enduring symbols of the city’s rich defensive history, reflecting centuries of military strategy and architectural evolution. These fortifications once protected Naples from invasions and controlled access to its vibrant urban core.

Today, many of these structures remain partially preserved or restored, offering visitors a tangible connection to the past alongside unique glimpses of the city’s historic fabric and panoramic views.

• Architect: Designed by Giuseppe Astarita
• Architectural Style: Baroque
• Year Built: 1739
• Address: Via Port’Alba, Naples (near Piazza Dante)

Port’Alba is a Baroque city gate that replaced an earlier medieval gate, serving as an entrance to Naples’ historic center. It is notable for its elegant design and proximity to the University of Naples, symbolizing the city’s urban expansion in the 18th century.

• Architect: Designed by Giuliano da Maiano
• Architectural Style: Renaissance
• Year Built: 1484
• Address: Piazza Enrico de Nicola, Naples

Porta Capuana is one of Naples’ best-preserved Renaissance city gates, originally part of the city’s defensive walls. It served as a key eastern entrance to Naples and is renowned for its monumental archway and detailed stonework, representing the city’s architectural transition from medieval to Renaissance styles.

• Architect: Unknown (rebuilt in the 17th century)
• Architectural Style: Baroque with medieval foundations
• Year Built: Rebuilt circa 1650
• Address: Via Nolana, Naples

Porta Nolana stands as a historic gate in the eastern part of Naples, marking access to the city’s old walls and the adjacent Porta Nolana railway station. It blends medieval defensive origins with Baroque renovations, reflecting Naples’ evolving fortifications.

• Architect: Unknown
• Architectural Style: Medieval with Baroque modifications
• Year Built: Original gate dates to the 5th century; current form mainly 15th century with later updates
• Address: Via San Gennaro, Naples

Porta San Gennaro is the oldest surviving city gate of Naples and historically a major entrance to the city. It has undergone various restorations and is closely associated with the nearby Cathedral of Naples, symbolizing the city’s long medieval history and religious significance.

Naples’ historic fountains play a vital role in shaping the city’s cultural identity and architectural charm. These beautifully crafted water features not only provided essential public water sources but also became artistic focal points that reflect Naples’ rich history and diverse stylistic influences—from Renaissance elegance to Baroque grandeur.

Fontana del Carciofo

• Architect: Edoardo Di Mauro (modern design)
• Architectural Style: Modernist
• Year Built: 1956
• Address: Piazza Trieste e Trento, Naples

This modern fountain, named for its artichoke-shaped central feature, is a prominent urban landmark near Naples’ historic center. It serves as a decorative public water feature and symbolizes post-war urban renewal in the city.

• Architect: Unknown; attributed to late Renaissance period
• Architectural Style: Renaissance
• Year Built: Circa late 16th century (1593)
• Address: Via San Giovanni Maggiore Pignatelli, Naples

The Fontana del Formiello is one of Naples’ oldest fountains, originally serving as a public water source and part of the city’s aqueduct system. Its Renaissance design features classical motifs, and it holds historical importance for supplying water to the city’s populace.

• Architect: Designed by Giovanni Battista Manni (completed by Pietro Bernini)
• Architectural Style: Baroque
• Year Built: 1660
• Address: Piazza Monteoliveto, Naples

This Baroque fountain is a sculptural masterpiece featuring mythological figures, notably Neptune. It was built as both a public water source and a symbol of royal power, situated in a central square close to important religious and civic buildings.

• Architect: Unknown
• Architectural Style: Renaissance / Baroque
• Year Built: Early 17th century
• Address: Via Sellaria, Naples

This historic fountain served the local district as a water source and social gathering place. Though more modest than grander city fountains, it reflects the practical and communal role fountains played in Naples’ neighborhoods.

• Architect: Unknown
• Architectural Style: Baroque
• Year Built: Early 17th century
• Address: Piazza del Mercato, Naples

The Spinacorona fountain features a crowned figure atop a spiny, shell-like base, symbolizing the city’s resilience. Located in the historic market square, it served as both a water source and a civic monument to Naples’ strength and endurance.

• Architect: Unknown; historical attributions vary
• Architectural Style: Baroque
• Year Built: Originally 17th century; rebuilt and restored multiple times
• Address: Near Naples Cathedral (Duomo), Piazza del Duomo, Naples

This fountain, dedicated to Naples’ patron saint San Gennaro, is located near the city’s cathedral. It holds religious and civic significance, symbolizing protection and blessing over the city, and serves as a site for local festivities.

• Architect: Unknown (likely influenced by Baroque styles similar to Bernini’s works)
• Architectural Style: Baroque
• Year Built: 17th century
• Address: Largo Corpo di Napoli, near Piazza del Gesù Nuovo, Naples

Featuring a mythological triton figure, this fountain reflects Naples’ maritime heritage and Baroque taste for dynamic water sculptures. It functioned as a public water source and decorative urban element.

• Architect: Unknown
• Architectural Style: Baroque
• Year Built: 17th century
• Address: Lungomare Caracciolo, Naples

Located near the waterfront district of Santa Lucia, this fountain was part of Naples’ coastal urban fabric. It served as a decorative and functional water source for fishermen and residents along the seafront.

Naples is home to a remarkable collection of Baroque spires—called guglie—that rise from its city squares and street corners as symbols of faith, gratitude, and civic identity. Erected between the 17th and 18th centuries, these sculptural monuments often commemorate deliverance from plagues or honor patron saints like San Gennaro and San Domenico.

Guglia di San Gennaro

• Architect: Designed by Cosimo Fanzago
• Architectural Style: Baroque
• Year Built: 1636–1650
• Address: Piazza San Gaetano, Naples

This ornate Baroque spire was erected as a votive monument to Saint Januarius (San Gennaro), the city’s patron saint. It commemorates the end of a plague and symbolizes Naples’ deep religious devotion and artistic achievement during the Baroque period.

Guglia di San Domenico

• Architect: Designed by Cosimo Fanzago
• Architectural Style: Baroque
• Year Built: 1656–1737 (construction spanned decades)
• Address: Piazza San Domenico Maggiore, Naples

Built to commemorate the end of a plague, this towering Baroque spire combines religious symbolism with intricate sculptural details. It stands as a key monument in the historic center near the church of San Domenico Maggiore.

Guglia dell’Immacolata

• Architect: Cosimo Fanzago (design)
• Architectural Style: Baroque
• Year Built: 1747
• Address: Piazza del Gesù Nuovo, Naples

Dedicated to the Virgin Mary under the title of the Immaculate Conception, this spire is an elegant Baroque monument symbolizing the city’s Catholic faith and artistic tradition. It features rich sculptural decoration and stands prominently in a central square.

Guglia di San Gaetano

• Architect: Designed by Giovan Domenico Vinaccia
• Architectural Style: Baroque
• Year Built: 1650–1651
• Address: Piazza San Gaetano, Naples

This Baroque spire honors Saint Cajetan (San Gaetano), founder of the Theatine Order. It was built as a devotional monument to protect the city and stands near other important Baroque monuments in Naples.

Guglia di Portosalvo

• Architect: Unknown (attributed to 17th-century Neapolitan artists)
• Architectural Style: Baroque
• Year Built: Circa mid-17th century
• Address: Via Medina, Naples

This lesser-known Baroque spire was erected as a religious monument seeking protection from the sea, reflecting Naples’ strong maritime connections and the devotion of its coastal communities.

Guglie di Piazza Mercato

• Architect: Unknown
• Architectural Style: Baroque
• Year Built: 17th century
• Address: Piazza Mercato, Naples

The spires in Mercato’s square are religious monuments built to invoke protection and commemorate deliverance from plagues. They enrich the historic market area with Baroque artistry and civic symbolism.

Guglia di San Gennaro

• Architect: Designed by Cosimo Fanzago
• Architectural Style: Baroque
• Year Built: 1636–1650
• Address: Piazza San Gaetano, Naples

This ornate Baroque spire was erected as a votive monument to Saint Januarius (San Gennaro), the city’s patron saint. It commemorates the end of a plague and symbolizes Naples’ deep religious devotion and artistic achievement during the Baroque period.

Naples’ historic streets are vibrant arteries that pulse with centuries of history, culture, and architectural beauty. Wandering these narrow lanes and grand boulevards, visitors experience the city’s diversity—from ancient Roman grids and medieval alleyways to Renaissance and Baroque grandeur.

• Period of Origin: Ancient Roman era (aligned with the Decumanus Maximus)
• Style: Medieval and Renaissance urban fabric with Baroque elements

Spaccanapoli (“Naples splitter”) is the famous straight street that cuts through the heart of Naples’ historic center. It follows the path of the ancient Roman Decumanus Maximus and is lined with churches, palaces, artisan workshops, and vibrant street life, embodying the city’s layered history and lively culture.

• Period of Origin: Medieval period, formalized as a market street in the 16th century
• Style: Traditional Neapolitan market street with historic buildings

La Pignasecca is Naples’ oldest and busiest street market, renowned for its authentic local atmosphere. It is characterized by narrow alleys, colorful stalls, and historic storefronts, offering a glimpse into everyday Neapolitan life and culinary traditions.

• Period of Origin: Early 16th century (constructed 1536–1546)
• Style: Renaissance origins with later Baroque and modern additions
• Architect: Commissioned by Spanish viceroy Pedro de Toledo; no specific architect documented

Via Toledo is one of Naples’ main commercial and historic streets, linking Piazza Dante to Piazza del Plebiscito. It showcases a mix of Renaissance urban planning, elegant palaces, and vibrant shops, reflecting the city’s evolution under Spanish rule and beyond.

• Period of Origin: Ancient Roman era (Decumanus Maximus)
• Style: Medieval and Renaissance with Baroque additions

Running parallel to Spaccanapoli, Via dei Tribunali traces the Roman city grid and was historically home to Naples’ courts and administrative buildings, hence its name. The street is rich in historic churches, monuments, and lively urban character.

• Period of Origin: Medieval period
• Style: Baroque urban fabric

Famous worldwide for its artisan workshops specializing in nativity scene (presepe) figurines, Via San Gregorio Armeno is a charming street filled with craft shops, historic buildings, and festive spirit. It epitomizes Naples’ deep-rooted traditions in art and culture, especially during Christmas.

• Period of Origin: 16th century (developed during Spanish rule)
• Style: Renaissance and Baroque with 19th-century additions
• Architect: Developed under Spanish viceroys

Via Chiaia is a fashionable street connecting the historic center to the waterfront district. Known for elegant shops, historic palaces, and theaters, it blends upscale commerce with rich architectural heritage, making it a favorite for both locals and visitors.

• Period of Origin: Ancient Roman era (aligned with the Decumanus Maximus)
• Style: Medieval and Renaissance urban fabric with Baroque elements

Spaccanapoli (“Naples splitter”) is the famous straight street that cuts through the heart of Naples’ historic center. It follows the path of the ancient Roman Decumanus Maximus and is lined with churches, palaces, artisan workshops, and vibrant street life, embodying the city’s layered history and lively culture.

• Period of Origin: Medieval period
• Style: Baroque and Renaissance

A charming street near the University area, Via dei Cimbri is lined with historic buildings and small cafes, popular with students and locals alike. It represents the blend of academic life and traditional Neapolitan urban character.

• Period of Origin: Ancient Roman to Medieval periods
• Style: Medieval and Baroque

Located near the National Archaeological Museum, this street is known for its proximity to historic landmarks and vibrant street life. It offers a quieter but richly historic alternative to the busier tourist routes.

Naples’ historic squares are vibrant cultural and architectural anchors that have shaped the city’s social life for centuries. These open spaces, often framed by grand palaces, churches, and monuments, serve as focal points for public gatherings, markets, and celebrations.

• Date Established: Developed in the 16th century, remodeled in the 20th century
• Style: Mix of Baroque and modern urban design
• Address: Near Via San Giovanni Maggiore Pignatelli, Naples

Piazza Bellini is a lively square known for its open-air cafes, ancient Greek and Roman ruins, and 19th-century buildings. It serves as a cultural hub popular with locals and tourists, blending Naples’ classical heritage with vibrant contemporary life.

• Date Established: Late 18th century (1780s)
• Architect(s): Luigi Vanvitelli (initial urban planning), later developments by other architects
• Style: Neoclassical with urban planning elements typical of Enlightenment era
• Address: Via Toledo and Corso Umberto I junction, Naples

Piazza Dante is a grand, rectangular square anchored by the imposing statue of Dante Alighieri. Surrounded by neoclassical buildings, it functions as a major transportation hub and public gathering space, showcasing Naples’ urban expansion during the late 18th century.

• Date Established: Early 19th century (designed 1811–1846)
• Architect(s): Leopoldo Laperuta and Antonio Niccolini
• Style: Neoclassical
• Address: Central Naples, near the Royal Palace and San Francesco di Paola church

Piazza del Plebiscito is Naples’ grandest and most iconic square, characterized by its vast open space, colonnaded church, and the Royal Palace facade. It hosts major public events and exemplifies Neoclassical grandeur in urban design.

• Date Established: Medieval origins, formalized in the 14th century
• Architect(s)/Planner: Various, including Baroque contributions by Cosimo Fanzago
• Style: Gothic and Baroque mix
• Address: Historic Center, near the church of San Domenico Maggiore

This square is a focal point of Naples’ historic center, surrounded by medieval and Baroque architecture. It hosts the imposing church of San Domenico Maggiore and the elegant Spire of San Domenico, making it a key religious and cultural gathering spot.

• Date Established: Medieval period
• Architect(s)/Planner: Contributions by Cosimo Fanzago (Spire of San Gennaro)
• Style: Baroque
• Address: Historic Center, near the Cathedral and Santa Chiara

Piazza San Gaetano is known for its vibrant atmosphere and important religious monuments, including the Spire of San Gennaro. The square is a crossroads of Naples’ spiritual and urban life, surrounded by historic churches and palaces.

• Date Established: Early 20th century redevelopment; historic medieval site
• Architect(s): Urban planners during 20th-century redevelopment
• Style: Eclectic mix including Neoclassical and modern elements
• Address: Near the port and Castel Nuovo, Naples

Piazza Municipio serves as a gateway to Naples’ port area and features the majestic Castel Nuovo and the city hall. It blends historic fortifications with modern civic functions and is a bustling hub of city life.

• Date Established: Medieval period
• Architect(s): Evolved organically over centuries
• Style: Medieval and Baroque influences
• Address: Eastern part of the historic center

Piazza Mercato is historically known as a major marketplace and the site of important public events. It retains a lively atmosphere with historic churches and monuments nearby, reflecting Naples’ commercial and social history.

• Date Established: 16th century
• Architect(s): Various, with later Baroque enhancements
• Style: Renaissance and Baroque
• Address: Near the historic center, close to Via Toledo

This small but elegant square is surrounded by historic palaces and churches, offering a quiet contrast to the city’s busier plazas. It reflects Naples’ Renaissance urban development and later Baroque embellishments.

Naples is a city rich with diverse architectural treasures that extend beyond its well-known churches, palaces, and castles. This section highlights other notable buildings and sites that don’t neatly fit into traditional categories but nonetheless contribute significantly to the city’s cultural and architectural fabric.

• Architect: Antonio Niccolini (main building)
• Style: Neoclassical
• Year Built: Founded 1752; current building constructed early 19th century
• Address: Via Santa Maria di Costantinopoli, 107, Naples

The Academy of Fine Arts is one of Italy’s oldest art schools, housed in a Neoclassical building. It has played a crucial role in Naples’ artistic education and culture, nurturing generations of artists and preserving local artistic traditions.

• Architect: Designed by Antonio Curri and Alfonso Guerra
• Style: Art Nouveau (Liberty style)
• Year Built: Established 1860; current building early 20th century
• Address: Via Chiaia, 1/2, Naples

Caffè Gambrinus is a historic and elegant café near Piazza del Plebiscito, renowned for its refined Liberty-style interiors and as a meeting place for artists, writers, and intellectuals. It remains a vibrant cultural landmark in Naples.

• Architect: Emanuele Rocco
• Style: Late 19th-century eclectic with glass-and-iron architecture
• Year Built: 1887–1890
• Address: Via San Carlo, 20, Naples

This grand covered shopping gallery, featuring an impressive glass dome and ornate ironwork, was inspired by Milan’s Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. It serves as both a commercial hub and a social meeting place, housing shops, cafes, and the Ascione Coral Museum.

Casa del Salvatore

• Architect: Unknown
• Style: Medieval with Renaissance modifications
• Year Built: Dates back to the 14th century, renovated in later centuries
• Address: Historic Center, Naples (exact address varies)

The House of the Savior is a historic building known for its architectural layers reflecting Naples’ medieval past and Renaissance renovations. It is part of the dense urban fabric of the city’s historic center.

Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Napoli

• Architect: Ferdinando Fuga (current building)
• Style: Baroque
• Year Built: 18th century (completed 1765)
• Address: Piazza Museo, 19, Naples

Housed in a grand Baroque palace, this museum is famous for its vast collection of Greco-Roman artifacts. The building itself is a fine example of Baroque architecture and an important cultural institution.

• Architect: Not attributed to a specific architect; traditional market structure
• Style: Functional vernacular urban architecture
• Year Built: Established in the 18th century; continually developed
• Address: Piazza Nolana, Naples

This bustling market near the Porta Nolana train station is famous for fresh seafood and local produce. It offers an authentic slice of Neapolitan daily life and economic tradition in a lively historic setting.

• Architect: Unknown
• Style: Medieval bridge architecture
• Year Built: Originally medieval, reconstructed over time
• Address: Near Piazza Garibaldi, Naples

This historic bridge once served as an important crossing over the River Sebeto, connecting parts of Naples. Although largely rebuilt or replaced, it marks a significant point in the city’s infrastructure history.

Whether you join a walking tour of the Centro Storico, visit the hilltop Certosa di San Martino, or follow a themed itinerary covering castles, catacombs, or Art Nouveau villas, architectural tours in Naples bring the city’s past to life. With knowledgeable guides or well-designed self-guided routes, these tours offer insight into how Naples grew, endured, and flourished across the centuries—one stone, arch, and spire at a time.

If you are planning a trip to Naples, there are plenty of excellent places to stay. However, for the best experience, we strongly recommend staying in the Historic Center (Centro Storico). The castle marker on the map below is the heart of the HIstoric Center. We suggest staying as close to it as possible, depending on your budget and preferences.

Here’s a map with hotel and apartment options that can be filtered to meet your needs. Select your travel dates to get specific availability and prices.

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Naples’ architecture reflects a unique layering of styles—from ancient Greek and Roman foundations to medieval, Renaissance, Baroque, and modern influences—offering a living timeline visible in its streets and buildings.

Naples’ architecture reflects a unique layering of styles—from ancient Greek and Roman foundations to medieval, Renaissance, Baroque, and modern influences—offering a living timeline visible in its streets and buildings.

Key figures such as Domenico Fontana, Luigi Vanvitelli, and Ferdinando Fuga contributed significantly to Naples’ architectural landscape, shaping landmarks like the Royal Palace, Villa Comunale, and Teatro di San Carlo.

Naples’ historic center retains its ancient Roman grid pattern with streets like Spaccanapoli and Via dei Tribunali, which provide a direct connection to the city’s classical past amidst lively markets and artisan shops.

Public squares (piazze) like Piazza del Plebiscito and Piazza Dante serve not only as architectural focal points but as vibrant spaces where history, culture, and social life converge.

Naples’ architecture reflects a unique layering of styles—from ancient Greek and Roman foundations to medieval, Renaissance, Baroque, and modern influences—offering a living timeline visible in its streets and buildings.