Napoli Underground: A Journey Through the Hidden City Beneath Your Feet

Beneath the bustling streets of Naples lies an underground world that tells the city's history in a way no other place can. The Napoli Sotterranea, or Naples Underground, offers visitors the chance to explore a labyrinth of tunnels, ancient aqueducts, and bomb shelters hidden beneath the city.

The Origins of Naples’ Underground

Naples’ underground network dates back over 2,400 years, beginning with the ancient Greeks, who excavated the soft tuff stone to construct the city’s first buildings. Later, the Romans expanded the underground to create a sophisticated aqueduct system that supplied water to the growing metropolis.

The Secret Tunnels and World War II

During World War II, Naples' underground spaces became essential air raid shelters, protecting thousands of residents from bombings. Walking through these tunnels, visitors can still see wartime artifacts, including abandoned bicycles, graffiti left by refugees, and old water cisterns.

The Underground Catacombs

One of the most impressive underground sites is the Catacombs of San Gennaro, an early Christian burial site filled with frescoes and mosaics. The catacombs provide insight into the early history of Christianity in Naples and the veneration of the city's patron saint, San Gennaro.

The Mysterious Bourbon Tunnel

The Galleria Borbonica, or Bourbon Tunnel, is another fascinating underground passage built in the 19th century as an escape route for the Bourbon royal family. Today, it serves as a hidden museum showcasing forgotten relics, vintage cars, and remnants of wartime life.

Exploring the Naples Underground reveals the city’s complex and layered past, where history, mystery, and legend merge in a way that is uniquely Neapolitan.