Discover Naples: 10 secret places in 'the City of the Sun'

"He saw Napule and died a little:" this was the quote with which Time began to describe Naples, including it among the 50 best places in the world to visit in 2023. It was originally said by the famous philosopher and writer Johann Wolfgang von Goethe in his work 'Journey to Italy'.

In this gallery, we will take a beautiful journey through the least-known places of the 'City of the Sun.' Are you ready? Let's go!

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Let's start with one of the most fascinating and hidden places in Naples, the Submerged Park of Gaiola. It extends from the Borgo di Marechiaro to the Bay of Trentaremi and takes its name from the two islets located near the coast of Posillipo.

Today, the Submerged Park of Gaiola is an "important site for research, training, scientific dissemination, and environmental education," as the official website describes it. Thanks to the geomorphological complexity of the seabed and the sea currents, a rich and colorful biological community has managed to settle there. A place not to be missed for nature lovers!

Another unusual and little-known place in Naples is the Dolls' Hospital. It's located inside the Palazzo Marigliano in the heart of the city. The history of this particular hospital began at the end of the 19th century, thanks to the work of the theater set designer Luigi Grassi.

In his atelier, he repaired any object, including stage puppets, and he attracted the attention and curiosity of passers-by. One day, he also took care of a little girl's doll, and that's where the Doll Hospital really took off. Now it is a piece of Naples history, carried on by Tiziana Grassi (in the photo), who inherited her great-grandfather's art.

If you have seen Ferzan Özpetek's film 'Veiled Naples' (2017), you will probably remember this particular helical staircase that appears in the first scenes. You can see the staircase of Palazzo Mannajuolo in person via Filangieri, in the Chiaia district. The building represents one of the best Art Nouveau architectures in the city.

Photo: Wikipedia

In a lively city like Naples, art is not only made up of monuments and craft shops but also of street art. In recent years, it reflects the work of a great artist born in this city, Jorit.

(In the photo, the largest mural in the world dedicated to Diego Armando Maradona, is located in San Giovanni a Teduccio, a few miles from Naples).

Jorit is the pseudonym of Ciro Cerullo, a young street artist (born in 1990) who uses his art as a social message, combining pictorial techniques and realism. An example of this is the 'Che Guevara' in the photo, which is located in San Giovanni a Teduccio.

Perhaps this mural is one of the most iconic made by Jorit in the heart of his hometown, Forcella. You will be able to see 'San Gennaro Operaio' live from an absorbed gaze upwards, by going to Via Vicaria Vecchia, 33.

Palazzo dello Spagnuolo is located in the Sanità district. It is one of the most historic and beautiful buildings in Naples, characterized by a double-flight staircase, called "falcon wings" which were designed to promote the social life of the condominiums.

Photo: Wikipedia

It is perhaps one of the best examples of civil architecture in the Neapolitan Baroque style, above all thanks to the imposing staircase that forms the internal façade of the building.

Photo: Wikipedia

Another fascinating place to be discovered is the Fontanelle Cemetery, built inside a series of connected caves. It contains the remains of about 16,000 people who were victims of the plague of 1656 and of the cholera of 1837.

Towards the end of the 19th century, the Fontanelle Cemetery became a place of worship where people "adopted" a skull and prayed to the soul of a deceased (the cult is called "Pezzentelle Souls"). The Fontanelle Cemetery takes its name from the presence of water sources in ancient times.

Not all tourists are aware of it, but under the Galleria Umberto lies one of the oldest and most fascinating café-chantant in Italy: the Salone Margherita. Nowadays, it hosts private events and dance evenings.

In the photo, you can see the entrance to the Salone Margherita located in Via Santa Brigida, 67, just under the stairs of one of the gallery's four exits. It also serves as a tango school where milongas are organized two Saturdays a month.

Photo: Google Street View

What makes Naples a unique city in Italy are the alleys that branch off through the historic center and beyond. In this photo, you can admire one of the most evocative places in the city, the Petraio, which extends along 503 steps and connects the hilly area with Corso Vittorio Emanuele.

It is an alternative itinerary that will undoubtedly earn a place in the hearts of those who follow it. You can reach the Petraio with the Montesanto railway (Morghen stop) or Line L1 of the underground (Vanvitelli stop).

This is not exactly a secret place in Naples, because it is one of the favorite stops for tourists, but it is certainly one of the best-hidden places in the city. Underground Naples has several underground routes including the Greek-Roman Theater and the War Museum. A truly unique experience that starts from the main entrance, located in Piazza San Gaetano, 68, on Via dei Tribunali.

Less known but equally hidden is the Galleria Borbonica in the heart of Naples, a truly incredible experience for any traveler. The architectural and engineering work dates back to the mid-1800s. It was ordered by Ferdinand II of Bourbon in 1853.

The gallery was meant to connect the Royal Palace with Piazza Vittoria as a quick escape route for both monarchs and soldiers. Later, it was also used as a shelter for citizens during World War II. Today, it is possible to visit it following different routes: the best known are the 'Standard Route' and the 'Via delle Memorie' (in the photo).

Did you know these secret places in Naples?

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