History of Naples, Italy
Naples is located south of Italy, and is currently the 3rd biggest town in Italy. Naples has a wonderful seaport and is considered a nice sized city with about a million people currently residing there.
Naples isn’t like the rest of Italy, however. Modern Italy divides itself from North and South. Naples sits proudly as the capital of the South of Italy (the Mezzogiorno). Naples is rich in culture, art, and history. Traditionally very Catholic, Naples also has wonderful religious history as well.
When it comes to the history of Naples, Italy…Naples has a long history that reaches as far back to 8th century BC - it’s said that the Greeks probably originally founded Naples. The last Roman emperor Romulus Augustulus was thrown in a prison in Naples in 476. Later in the 6th century, Naples was overtaken by the Byzantine Empire.
Naples was one of the last towns to fall to the Normans in 1039, which is about the time that they founded the Kingdom of Sicily. In 1266 Naples and Sicily were given away to Charles of Anjou by Pope Clement IV. Charles of Anjou moved the capital to Naples from Palermo. In 1284 there was fission among kingdoms, and it split in two till 1816, when the kingdom of Two Sicily’s was formed. Naples has had an exhausting history, also being ruled by Spain, Austria, and the Bourbons. Eventually, in October 1860 it finally became a part of the new Italy, which is where it stays today.
If you’re a pizza lover, you’ll be happy to know that pizza originated in Naples, which it’s well known for. You’ll also find plenty of other traditional Italian food, either in eateries or sold out on the street. Naples is an active city, with plenty of cars and scooters weaving around each other. It’s best to experience the city of Naples by getting out of the car and walking - you’ll find it a lot more pleasurable.