What to see in Spaccanapoli: where is it and how did it get its name?

Spaccanapoli (meaning ‘split Naples’) is one of the most fascinating and famous streets in Naples, a road that cuts through the ancient heart of the city and tells its story through its narrow alleys, historic buildings and majestic churches.

What is there to see in Spaccanapoli? Let’s find out together what the points of interest are and why this area has received such an evocative name.

Where is Spaccanapoli?

Spaccanapoli is a street that runs between the Quartieri Spagnoli (Spanish Quarter) and the Forcella district of Naples, tracing a straight line through the city. More precisely, the route starts from Via Pasquale Scura and ends at Via Giudecca Vecchia and Via Tupputi, for a total length of about 2 km.

Although Neapolitans commonly refer to it by a single name, Spaccanapoli is actually made up of seven distinct streets. These are:

• Via Pasquale Scura (from the Quartieri Spagnoli to Via Toledo);
• Via Maddaloni;
• Via Benedetto Croce (from Piazza del Gesù Nuovo to Piazzetta Nilo);
• Via San Biagio dei Librai (from the historic centre to Via Duomo);
• Via Vicaria Vecchia;
• Via Forcella;
• Via Giudecca Vecchia (in the heart of the Forcella neighbourhood).

Spaccanapoli: the reason for its name

Spaccanapoli is a road made up of several streets that date back to ancient times: it is one of the three decumani, the main streets that run north-south, and the one closest to the sea. The Romans organised the city along these lines, based on the Greek system.

Why is Spaccanapoli called this? To find out why, just look at it from above, from the Certosa di San Martino or from Vomero: this group of streets appears as a line that crosses the city, clearly dividing it in two.

Thanks to its rich historical and artistic heritage, Spaccanapoli has been recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site and more than twenty Roman wells have been discovered along its route.

What is there to see in Spaccanapoli?

As well as the Sansevero Chapel, which houses the sculpture of the Veiled Christ, a marble masterpiece by Giuseppe Sanmartino dating from 1753, and San Gregorio Armeno, famous for its artisan nativity scene workshops, there is much more to discover in Spaccanapoli.

At the beginning of Spaccanapoli is Piazza del Gesù, one of the most important squares in Naples, which is home to three main attractions: the Obelisk of the Immaculate Conception and the Church of Gesù Nuovo. This church, a typical example of Neapolitan Baroque architecture, is famous for the legends about its stones, which are believed to be able to attract positive energy.

The Monastery of Santa Chiara, commissioned by Robert of Anjou and the centre of civil and religious ceremonies under the Angevins, and the Altarino di Maradona in Piazzetta Nilo are also unmissable stops for anyone visiting Naples.

Finally, don’t miss the Doll Hospital, open since 1840, where damaged toys are repaired. A unique place where you can explore a world of heads, arms, feet, clothes and much more, all dedicated to dolls.

Article translated by Jasmina Towers

Tag

Travel

Subscribe to our newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter to keep up to date with our latest news Subscribe with your email address to receive the latest news, updates and practical tips from the real estate world directly in your inbox

Subscribe