Campania - Amordivino

Campania

Population: 5.796.899
Surface (Kmq): 13595
Density (Inhabitants/Kmq.): 426
Main city: Napoli (NA)
Other towns: Avellino (AV); Benevento (BN); Caserta (CE); Salerno (SA).

The region faces the Tyrrhenian Sea and includes one of the finest coastlines in Italy. In front of the Gulfs of Naples and Salerno, you can admire marvellous and enchanting islands: Capri, Ischia (pictured above) and Procida. Two centuries ago, no self-respecting northern European aristocrat would dream of leaving Italy without spending a month or so in Naples (“vedi Napoli e poi muori”, see Naples and then you can die). But after the Unification in 1870, the city fell into ill repute and throughout the 20th century it was considered dangerous and depressing. This wonderful harbour town, once the third largest city on the continent, still has some less-than-picturesque neighbourhoods, but the entire historic centre was extensively restored in the '90s, and today it is one of the most interesting locations in Italy. People, lifestyle, the local colour and the food are nowhere on the peninsula present in such quantities as in Naples.

Herculaneum, Pompeii, Paestum and Cuma are rich in remains of the classic antiquities: amphitheatres, triumphal arches, villas, bridges and tombs of the Roman Imperial Age are numerous and remarkable. The Paleolithic art is present in Naples and Nocera, while architectural specimens of the Longobard Age can be found in Capua and Benevento. Cathedrals in the Byzantine and Arab-Norman styles are numerous and outstanding. The Royal Palace of Caserta is the most striking expression of Baroque.

In Naples there is the National Museum, which houses one of the most important archaeological collections in the world (statues by the great Greek masters Policleto, Lisippo and Prassitele); mosaics and wall paintings from Pompeii; a collection of jewels, small bronzes, household goods and utensils.

In the museum and galleries of Capodimonte, tourists can admire pictorial masterpieces by Titian, Michelangelo, Raphael, and Caravaggio; sculptures, tapestries and ceramics. The National Museum of San Martino has historic, artistic and monumental sections. In Benevento, the Museum of the Sannio holds an important room of archaeology with Samnitic, Italic, Italiot relics and an interesting collection of coins, with very rare gold coins of the Longobard Princes. Precious works of art can be admired in the Cathedral Museum and the Provincial Museum in Salerno.

Enjoy the splendid Amalfi coast; the marvellous islands; the Imperial Villa in Capri; the Royal Palace of Caserta with its splendid Italian gardens; Herculaneum and Pompei.