Napoli!

Posted by Andrew D Meyer on September 21, 2013 in Non-musical activities!!! | 1 Comment

Napoli is Italy’s most densely populated city. One might argue that it has the densest concentration of incredible sights as well. Dark, twisty alleyways lead to ornate, centuries-old churches and wafting pizza smells distract pedestrians from the certain death of crossing the street without looking out for vehicles.

Teatro San Carlo (on the right in the photo below) was built several years before La Scala and is still home to many operas. The building is not completely original as much of it was destroyed in a fire, however.

On the left of the above photo is the Galleria Umberto. This incredible place is now home to a shopping center and was built between 1887 and 1891 to raise the spirits of the local people after a devastating cholera outbreak.

Just around the corner from Galleria Umberto, or any corner for that matter, are many incredible churches. Most of these churches have their doors open and passersby can walk in and check them out or pray or have a pretty hilarious conversation with a local priest in broken English.

Many Italian churches have elaborately painted ceilings.

Most churches have shrines to all sorts of patron saints.

There are also many shrines throughout the neighborhoods in the city. This is one from the Spanish Quarter, which is known as one of the poorest and most dense neighborhoods in the whole city.

Many of the churches have beautiful stained-glass windows.

And of course, no trip to Napoli would be complete without some pizza!