Naples Things to Do Tips by Balam

Should this be here or should it be in shopping tips? well both really i suppose but even if you don't want to go shopping the Galleria is certainly worth seeing.
A large, marble-floored, glass-roofed space, impressive as a piece of 19th century architecture in itself, that now houses various shops, cafes and restaurant. The palatial Galleria Umberto I shopping centre, opened in 1900, with its marble floors, glass atrium and striking architecture make it a must for your Holiday Pictures.

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The Museo Nazionale, one of the best Roman Empire Museums in the world. Many of the ruins and rests of Pompeii and Herculaneum are exposed here. You’ll find sculptures of Mythological gods and emperors’ busts. You shouldn’t miss the mosaics section, with the best works from Pompeii. Other interesting sections are: "Sala dei Papiri", with the best Herculaneum’s findings, and the pictures section.

If you have been to Pompeii and Herculaneum this museum is a must. The statues and other items are fantastic

Some text and Picture of exterior from http://www.virtourist.com/europe/Naples/

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Piazza Plebiscito is a semicircular modern design square. In the Middle of this square sits the "San Francesco di Paola" church

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Before the accession of Charles I of Anjou to the throne in 1266, the capital of the Kingdom of Naples was Palermo. There was a royal residence in Naples, at the Castel Capuano. However, when the capital was moved to Naples, Charles ordered a new castle, not far from the sea, built to house the court.

Works, directed by French architects, began in 1279 and were completed three years later. Due to the events of the Sicilian Vespers, the new fortress remained uninhabited until 1285, when Charles died and was succeeded by his son, Charles II. Castel Nuovo became soon the nucleus of the historical center of the city, and was often the site of famous events. For example, on December 13, 1294, Pope Celestine V resigned as pope in a hall of the castle. Eleven days later, Boniface VIII was elected pope here by the cardinal collegium and immediately moved to Rome to avoid the Angevine authority.

Under king Robert (reigned from 1309), the castle was enlarged and embellished, becoming a centre of patronage of art. In 1347 Castel Nuovo was sacked by the army of Louis I of Hungary, and had to be heavily restored after the return of queen Joanna I. The new works permitted the queen to resist the Hungarian siege during Louis' second expedition. The castle was besieged numerous times in the following years, and was the official residence of King Ladislas from 1399. It decayed under his sister Joanna II. Under the Aragonese dynasty, begun by Alfonso V in 1442, the fortress was updated to resist the new artillery. A famous triumphal arch, designed by Francesco Laurana, was added to the main gate to celebrate Alfonso's entrance in Naples. The castle was again used as a residence by Charles III, who became King of Naples in 1734.

The last restoration was in 1823.

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