Visiting Naples: Ancient Villas, Roman Baths, and Timeless Landscapes
Visiting Naples means stepping into a city layered with history, culture, and breathtaking views. From the Roman tunnels of the Crypta Neapolitana to the hillside villas of Posillipo and the thermal baths beneath Santa Chiara, Naples offers a journey through centuries of civilization.
The Crypta Neapolitana: gateway to the Flegrean Fields
In the 1st century B.C., as Neapolis grew beyond its city walls, expansion moved toward what is now Chiaia, Posillipo, and the Flegrean towns. The Crypta Neapolitana, a monumental Roman tunnel near today’s Virgiliano Park, connected the city to these new districts and remained in use for centuries. Inside the park, visitors can find a Roman columbarium believed to house Virgil’s tomb, later joined by the remains of poet Giacomo Leopardi.
Santa Chiara Baths: archaeology in the heart of Naples
One of the most significant archaeological discoveries in Naples is the Roman bath complex beneath the tiled cloisters of Santa Chiara Church. Dating back to 140–160 A.D., the site reveals multiple bathing areas, likely for warm and hot water, heated by external ovens. These baths highlight the social importance of bathing in Roman times – not just for hygiene, but as places for conversation, business, and politics.
Posillipo: villas of Roman nobility
The hills of Posillipo were once home to the elite of ancient Neapolis. Among the most famous estates was the Villa of Lucullus and the grand Villa of Vedio Pollione, a friend of Emperor Augustus. Pollione’s villa, named Pausilypon (“respite from pain”), gave its name to the entire area.
Built on artificial terraces overlooking the Gaiola inlet, the villa includes remarkable ruins: a theatre with seating for 2,000, an Odeion for music and poetry, a temple, a nymphaeum, and even underwater structures like fish tanks and boat moorings. The site is partially accessible during cultural events and offers stunning views from both land and sea.
Exploring Posillipo today
The Posillipo area remains one of Naples’ most scenic districts. Adventurous visitors can explore it on foot, while others may opt for public transport or boat tours to admire the coastline and archaeological remains.
