About Naples, Italy:
If ever the term city of contrasts fits, it probably does so best here in Naples. It has a reputation as a large, dirty, crime-infested city…….and yet it has some magnificent beauty: you will find many beautiful churches, Museums, Madonnas set into walls facing the street, and, of course great seafood as well as their specialty: Neapolitan pizza!
For a pizza to be considered Neopolitan, it has to be made with the tomatoes that grow in the volcanic soil to the south of Mount Vesuvius, and Mozzarella di Bufala Campana, a fresh, spun-curd cheese crafted exclusively from the rich milk of water buffalo, it boasts a DOP certification that protects its heritage and production methods. Its signature soft, moist texture and delicate, milky flavor with a slight tang make it a cornerstone of Italian cuisine.
Neapolitans tend to be fiercly proud of their city…and their football (soccer) teams as well.
Catholic shrines & places of interest in Naples, Italy:
Basilica San Paolo Maggiore (Saint Paul Major): tomb of Saint Catejan
Church of Saint Mary of the Souls in Purgatory (Santa Maria delle Anime del Purgatorio)
Chiesa di San Domenico Maggiore: Cell of St. Thomas Aquinas, Magnificent frescoes)
Gesù Nuovo Church: Tomb of Saint Giuseppe Muscati……Italian doctor, scientific researcher, and university professor noted both for his pioneering work in biochemistry and for his piety.
Naples Cathedral: The Blood of Saint Januarius & the Catacombs of Naples
Sansevero Chapel Museum: Magnificent works of art.
Catholic places of interest in the Naples area:
Procida, Italy (island off the coast of Naples): Abbey of Saint Michael the Archangel (Abbazia di San Michele Arcangelo)
Traveling to Naples, Italy:
By air: Naples-Capodichino International Airport (IATA: NAP, ICAO: LIRN ) is the international airport serving Naples and the Campania region. It is located 3.7 miles (5.9 km) north-northeast of the city.
By train: The primary train station in Naples is Napoli Centrale, with daily service to cities all over Italy. Built in 1950s-1960s, it opens onto the huge historic Piazza Garibaldi. Centrale is also connected to an underground station called Napoli Piazza Garibaldi, which is served by Naples’ Metro Line 2 and the Circumvesuviana trains that connect Naples with Sorrento, Pompeii, Herculaneum, and other towns in the region.
By ship: Naples is a popular port of call for many Mediterranean cruises. Most cruise ships dock at Stazione Maritima or Molo Beverello, both centrally located and within walking distance of Naples’ historic center (about 10 minutes) or a short taxi ride. From the port, you can also access ferries and hydrofoils to Capri, Ischia, Sorrento, and the Amalfi Coast.