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Naples (Napoli) is one of the major cities of Italy and the most important port in southern Europe. The perople of the city are called Neapolitan which is also a local dialect. Naples is the capital of the southern Italian region of Campania and of the province of Naples. The city has a long history rooted in ancient times. Naples also
is also known for its art, music, culture, and gastronomy. Naples was founded as a Greek colony (about 800 BC).
The city is located . Naples is located halfway between two volcanic areas the volcano Mount Vesuvius and the Phlegraean Fields. The ruins of Pompei, destroyed by Vesuvius, is now located in the suburbs of Naples. The city is located along the
coast by the Gulf of Naples. The Greek colony was Νεάπολις (Neápolis or New City). It was an important part of Magna Graecia and then part of the Roman Republic and Empire. After the fall of the Rome, Barbarians dominated Rome, especally the Lombards. Eventually the Kingdom of Naples emerged (1282). After the Napoleonic Wars, Naples became the capital of the Kingdom of the Two Silices until Italian unification. During World War II, Naples because of its port was the target of the Allied invasion (September 1943). The people of Naples were the first to rise up against the NAZI occupation of Europe.
Naples is particularly known for its pizza (which originated there). Italian immigrants of course brought it to America. Naples most important cultural contribution is in music. Contributions the invention of the romantic guitar and the mandolin as well as impotant contributions to opera and folk ballads. Several popular figures are associated with Naples, including the city's patron saint--Januarius. Another figure is Pulcinella, the inspiration for Punch of Punch and Judy fame. The Sirens from the epic Greek poem "The Odyssey" came from Naples. The city is also known for the Neapolitan street children (scugnizzi).
Naples (Napoli) is one of the major cities of Italy, the largest city in southern Italy. It is also the most important port in southern Europe. The perople of the city are called Neapolitan which is also a local language. Naples is the capital of the southern Italian region of Campania and of the province of Naples. The densly populated city center contains about a million people surrounded by 2 million people in the surrounding suburbs. There is both an important port and industries, including iron and steel, petroleum, and porcelain. Naples also is also known for its art, music, culture, and gastronomy. Naples was founded as a Greek colony (about 800 BC). The city is located . Naples is located halfway between two volcanic areas the volcano Mount Vesuvius and the Phlegraean Fields. The ruins of Pompei, destroyed by Vesuvius, is now located in the suburbs of Naples. The city is located along the coast by the Gulf of Naples.
Naples is a major seaport with important shipyards.
The city has a long history rooted in ancient times. The Greek colony was Νεάπολις (Neápolis or New City). It was called New City because it was founded neae the older town of Partenope. It was an important part of Magna Graecia and then part of the Roman Republic and Empire. Romulus Augustulus, last emperor of the Roman Empire, was imprisoned here after being overthrown (476). After the fall of the Rome, Barbarians dominated Rome, especally the Lombards. Naples was conquered by the Eastern Empire (Byzantines) (6th century BC). It was one of the last duchies to fall to the Normans (1039). The Normans founded the Kingdom of Sicily. Subsequently Naples was ruled by Spain, Austria, and the Bourbons,
Pope Clement IV gave Naples and the kingdom of Sicily to Charles of Anjou (1266). He moved the capital from Palermo to Naples. The Kingdom split (1284). Eventually the Kingdom of Naples emerged (1282). During the Napoleonic Wars there was even a brief Jacobian republic. After the Napoleonic Wars, Naples became the capital of the Kingdom of the Two Silices until Italian unification (1860).
Naples becamne part of the Kingdom of Italy (1860). During World War II, Naples because of its port was the target of the Allied invasion (September 1943). The people of Naples were the first to rise up against the NAZI occupation of Europe in the fammed Quattro Giornate (September 1943).
More so than the north, southern Italy and Naples is staunchly Catholic.
Naples has its own distinct cuisine. The city is is particularly known for its pizza. Pizza originated here and is commonly sold, like other local delacacies, on the street. There were street stalls allover the city. This did not just include easy to ear items like pizza, but also dishes like spaghetti that one would not expect to be sold on the street. The foot was sold without flsatwear and the customer was expected to use his fingers, earing right there and retuning the plate. Naples influenced food throughout Campania and Sicily. Italian immigrants, especially immigrants from Sicily, brought pizza and other Italian delacacies to America.
Naples most important cultural contribution is in music. Here it has been an important force in Westerm music.
The early music conservatories made an important contribution (16th century). Alessandro Scarlatti was a major composer and influence during the Baroque period. The comic operas of Pergolesi, Piccinni and, eventually, Rossini were important contributions. The invention of the romantic guitar and the mandolin can be traced to Naples. Naples also has an important tradition of folk ballads. The vitality of the city is relected Neapolitan popular music (late-18th century) Pieces such as "O Sole mio" and "Funiculì Funiculà" have made a lasting impression on Western music. One part of the popular music tradition in Naples is street music, including that of the scugnizzi
Several popular figures are associated with Naples, including the city's patron saint--Januarius. Another figure is Pulcinella, the inspiration for Punch of Punch and Judy fame. The Sirens from the epic Greek poem "The Odyssey" came from Naples.
The best known Neopolitan children are the city's street children--the scugnizzi. Scugnizzian is now an Italian term meaning 'street kids'. It was originally the term for Neapolitan children. It has a derogatory term because of all the trouble stree kids get into. The problem of street children was especially serious in Naples because of the endemic poverty of southern Italy. Parents had trouble supporting the family. This was especially the case if the fsather left the family or something happened to him. Thus the children, mostly the boys, were expected to earn somemoney at a very early age. In some cases they were thrown out of the home entirely. Children had few options at earning money. They might shine shoes or carry bags. Some performed with musical instruments. But too often they turned to petty theft which is why the term acquired such negative connotations. One effort to help the boys was the Nave Scuola Marinaretti Caracciolo.
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