This four-hour stroll takes us along the Naples' waterfront, exploring the political and social history of the city from its Greek origins as Neapolis (the new city) to modern times. It is led by either an art or social historian, and, while exploring rich scholarly themes, attempts to paint a realistic picture of life in Naples today.
The walk begins as Castel Nuovo, the political fulcrum of the city during antiquity, when there was an important commercial port in the area (some Roman ships have recently been discovered nearby), up through the high medieval period when Petrarch and Boccaccio were guests here. With a view of the bay of Naples as a backdrop, we will push on to the Palazzo Reale, the royal palace during the reign of the Spanish Bourbons in the 18th century.
Our itinerary can vary at this point, continuing along the waterfront to imbibe some of the great scenery, or turning in to the Spanish district and some of the artist treasures here, such as the church of Santa Maria degli Angeli or the Palazzo Serra di Cassano.
The emphasis of this walk is on understanding the political and social development of Naples, and therefore serves as an excellent counterpoint to the Arte Napoletana itinerary. We finish with a gelato or aperitivo along the waterfront in the Villa Comunale.