In autumn, Naples lights up with warm colours and poetic atmospheres. Between the red leaves, golden sunsets and crisp air of the Gulf, the city offers breathtaking views. Without straying too far from the centre, the foliage takes centre stage in places rich in history and beauty.

Naples is a city where life and death coexist in a unique, almost theatrical way.
The cult of the dead, deeply rooted in Neapolitan culture, is not only a religious heritage, but also a popular, intimate and often surprisingly profane expression. It is a constant and living link with the afterlife, which emerges in the bowels of the city and in its deepest traditions.
An itinerary through this cult becomes a spiritual, historical and anthropological journey, touching on four symbolic places: Underground Naples, the Monumental Complex of Purgatorio ad Arco, the enigmatic Sansevero Chapel and, in the background, the fascinating and mysterious figure of the Prince of Sansevero.

In Campania, and especially in Naples, a name is never just a label: it is a sign of identity, a deep connection with family, faith, history and one’s homeland. This week, we want to talk about the most beloved names from the past that are deeply rooted in Neapolitan and Campanian culture, names that still echo today in the alleys of the historic centre, in neighbourhood conversations and in popular traditions.

Neapolitan fried pizza is a speciality that has its roots in the post-war period, when women in working-class neighbourhoods, faced with economic hardship, reinvented traditional pizza by cooking it in boiling oil instead of in the oven. With a simple dough and low-cost ingredients, fried pizza became a symbol of ingenuity and resilience. The tradition, largely carried on by women, has endured over time and is now one of Naples’ most beloved dishes.

The spires of Naples are among the city’s most evocative and significant monuments, bearing witness to centuries of devotion and Baroque art. These elegant, tall and slender obelisks tell stories of faith and gratitude towards the saints who protected the city. Although they are little noticed by passers-by, they represent a deep connection between Naples and the sacred. In this article, we will explore the most emblematic spires that adorn the historic centre of Naples, revealing their history and beauty.

Summer in Naples has a unique charm: the warm sun, the scent of the sea and the desire to escape transform the Neapolitan coastline into an ideal destination for those seeking relaxation, beauty and immersion in Mediterranean culture. But where can you escape to when the heat becomes unbearable and all you dream of is a little coolness? Here is a guide to the most beautiful beaches in Naples and its surroundings, perfect for cooling off during the summer season.

In Naples, among the most deeply rooted traditions and elements that tell the story of the city’s thousand-year history, there is a resource that has survived the centuries, becoming a symbol of health and well-being: suffregna water. Also known as “acqua delle mummare” or “acqua del Chiatamone”, this naturally sparkling sulphurous water flows from a spring in the heart of the Santa Lucia district. Once highly prized and widespread, suffregna water was famous for its healing properties, particularly for combating anaemia and iron deficiency. Over the years, the spring that gave rise to this precious water fell into oblivion, but an unexpected rediscovery has brought to light one of the most fascinating corners of Neapolitan history. On 11 June, the source of Suffregna water was officially rediscovered after more than fifty years of neglect.

After five years of closure, one of the most significant treasures of Naples’ historical and cultural heritage reopened on 30 November 2024: the Farmacia Storica degli Incurabili, flanked by the Museo delle Arti Sanitarie. A long-awaited return that celebrates the encounter between art, science and memory, returning to the city a place that symbolises its deepest identity.

In the heart of Naples, amidst the alleyways that tell centuries-old stories, lies a relic that has fascinated the faithful and attracted the attention of visitors for centuries: the staff of St Joseph. This object is not only a symbol of faith and tradition, but also a witness to the deep popular devotion that has always defined the soul of Neapolitan culture.

The legend of the “worn shoes of the Madonna” is a popular tradition linked to the statue of the Madonna dell’Annunziata, venerated in the Santissima Basilica dell’Annunziata Maggiore in Naples. According to the story, every night the Virgin would leave the church to go to her children most in need of comfort and help. It would be precisely this tireless wandering that would, in time, wear out her shoes.