Attractions
Museo Archeologico Nazionale
This world-class museum houses the Farnese collection of antiquities from Lazio and Campania and the incredible treasures of Pompeii and Herculaneum. Notable among these collections are the Farnese Hercules and the Farnese Bull, the largest known ancient sculpture. On the mezzanine level is The Alexander Mosaic and at the furthest end of the mezzanine floor is the Secret Room (Gabinetto Segreto). The fascinating collection contained here reveals the erotic material found in the brothels, baths, houses and taverns of Pompeii and Herculaneum. The top section of the museum houses the Campanian wall paintings, well preserved creations attesting to a mysterious past world. These are supported by the artefacts in the form of glass, silver, ceramics, rope and even foodstuffs surviving from the Campanian cities.
Address: Piazza Museo Nazionale 18-19
Telephone: (081) 440 166
Transport: Metropolitan line to Museum or Cavour Square
Opening time: Daily 9am to 7pm, Sundays 9am to 8pm (closed Tuesdays)
Admission: €6.50, concessions €3.25
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Duomo San Gennaro
The Chapel of San Gennaro is accessed from the south aisle of the Cathedral of Naples and this 13th-century Gothic building is dedicated to the patron saint of the city. Tradition tells the story of how two phials of San Gennaro's blood liquefied in the bishop's hand after his martyred body was transported to the church. Legend has it that disaster will strike if the blood fails to liquefy on specific festival days - the first Saturday in May, on September 19 and December 16. The liquefaction ceremony takes place during a special Mass in full view of the congregation. The first chapel on the right on entry into the cathedral is dedicated to San Gennaro and holds the famous phials of blood and a sliver reliquary containing his skull. Beneath the Duomo are the excavations of well-preserved Greek and Roman roads that stretch beneath the modern city. Special tours of the excavations can be arranged.
Address: Via del Duomo 147
Telephone: 081 449 097
Opening time: Monday to Friday between 9am and 12pm and 4.30pm to 7pm
Admission: Cathedral: Free
Archeaological site: €3
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Museo e Gallerie di Capodimonte
The museum occupies a restored 18th century palace perched on the city's hills and its artworks are arranged by collections and not chronology. The Farnese and Bourbon rulers amassed impressive collections of Renaissance paintings and Flemish masterpieces that can be viewed along with other great works. Notable amongst these are Masaccio's Crucifixion, Filipino Lippi's Annunciation and Saints, Raphael's Leo X, Bellini's Transfiguration, Michelangelo's Three Soldiers and Breughel's The Allegory of the Blind.
Address: Via Milano 2, Capodimonte Park;
Telephone: (081) 749 9111;
Opening time: Tuesday to Sundays 8.30am to 7.30pm;
Admission: €8
