NAPLES: TO SEE BUT NOT TO DIE

Naples, the third most populous city in Italy after Rome and Milan, is called the soul of Italy. And for Azerbaijanis, it is attractive because it reminds them of Baku - especially if you look at the coastal boulevard, the bay and wander through the old streets. Besides the fact that the population of Baku and Naples are about the same, they have been twin cities for 52 years. In addition, the Azerbaijani capital has a Naples street and a circle of the same name, and one of the streets of Naples is called Baku. Inhabitants of both cities possess the southern temperament. So what a reason for rapprochement and love!

Eyes wide open

If you come to Naples just for a day to have a quick glance, you will definitely miss the spirit of the city, its flavour. To see the numerous sights, to visit important and interesting cities and objects around, which are a must for a tourist, you will need at least 7-10 days. And you will not regret it. Especially since all of them are literally an hour or two away (by trains, buses and ferries) from Naples.....

A UNESCO World Heritage Site and the third oldest inhabited city in the world, Naples is full of museums, palaces, squares and other architectural masterpieces. Many artists have dedicated musical works to this city, writers and poets have written books and poems, and artists have painted here, which shows that Naples is rich in sights of incredible beauty. In addition, it takes only an hour by ferry to reach the island of Capri. By train or buses you can reach the Amalfi Coast in an hour and a half, where you can find such cities as Positano, Amalfi, Salerno, Sorrento and others.

Naples, located near the famous volcano Vesuvius, was one of the most damaged cities in Italy during the Second World War. However, after long reconstruction works carried out in the post-war period, it was able to regain its former glory. And what is worth a visit to Pompeii - a large-scale archaeological complex, a city that was buried under a multi-metre layer of ash and pumice as a result of the volcanic eruption.

You can choose one of the many excursions or simply stroll around sunny Naples and see such landmarks as the Royal Palace, Castel Nuovo Castle and the neighbouring luxury arcade Galleria Umberto I. Be sure to visit the Church of San Francesco di Paola, the Castle of the Egg, the San Carlo Theatre, St. Januarius Cathedral, Piazza del Plebiscito, the Chapel of San Severo, and Castel Sant'Elmo. Enjoy a leisurely wander along the boulevard and sit on the many benches or even the coastal cliffs overlooking the Gulf of Naples and Vesuvius. And when you're hungry, try a pizza, as this city is considered the birthplace of this world-famous and traditional Italian flour dish.

Pompeii past and present

If you're in Naples, one of the top destinations to tour is undoubtedly the city of Pompeii. Most tourists arriving in Naples do not hesitate to take an independent or group trip to the city of Pompeii, which is only half an hour away.

On August 24, 79 AD, as a result of the eruption of the volcano Vesuvius, the city was burned to the ground, and the entire area around it was covered with a huge layer of volcanic ash. Then suffered not only Pompeii, but also nearby cities of Herculaneum and Stabia. The eruption was so strong that the ash, as historians say, reached even neighbouring Egypt and Syria. Most of the inhabitants (about 20,000 people) died, some managed to escape before the disaster began. However, the history of the city did not end there. Pompeii, as one of the cities of the Italian region of Campania with a population of 36,000 people and modern infrastructure, continues to exist to this day. The city with its hotels, restaurants, transport, attractions...

The Basilica of the Virgin Mary stands proudly in the central square of Pompeii, one of Italy's most significant papal churches. It enjoys the status of an extraterritorial possession of the Holy See in Italy. Inside its sanctuary, a miraculous image of the Virgin Mary Rosary is revered by millions of pilgrims who flock to Pompeii every year, hoping for healing and grace. The church's architecture and paintings are also stunning and awe-inspiring.

But the main attraction of Pompeii is the ancient city that lies in ruins, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that draws even more visitors throughout the year. The historical complex covers an area of 14 hectares and requires at least three hours to explore the main highlights. If you want to see the city in depth, you might need a whole day. A ticket to enter the archaeological park (excluding the villas) costs about 22 euros, about 30 euros with an audio guide. A personal guide will set you back at least 50 euros more.

You will discover that the city was buried under a layer of ashes for many centuries. It was only in 1592 that the first sign of the ancient city was uncovered - the city wall, and 100 years later a tablet with the name Pompeii. Excavations of the ancient city were mainly carried out during the 18th and 19th centuries and partly in the 20th. But even today, as experts say, the city-museum of Pompeii is only 75 per cent open and there are still new discoveries to be made.

Among the important sites of the archaeological complex, the key one is the Forum, which occupies the central part of the city. There you can see the partially destroyed basilica, the Eumachia building, the amphitheatre, the large theatre, the shopping streets, the ruins of temples of ancient gods, and the granary. The most fascinating are the private residences—the houses of Faunus, Vettius, the Small Fountain and the Villa of the Mysteries, where the frescoes still dazzle with their vivid colours. The temple of Apollo, of which only two columns remain, is also worth a look. The Garden of the Fugitives, with its casts of the 13 people who perished during the eruption of Vesuvius, is usually a sobering sight. And in the Lupanar (brothel) you can glimpse the conditions under which the ancient prostitutes worked.

The easiest and cheapest way to get from Naples to Pompeii on your own is by train (30-40 min) From Napoli Garibaldi station, trains run every 30-60 min. towards Sorrento, and the ticket costs about 3 euros. You have to get off at the Pompei Scavi stop and walk to the complex - about 10-15 min. Many tours to Pompeii are organised daily from Rome and Naples. Prices of one-day tours range from 25-35 euros.

A dangerous but captivating crater

Vesuvius, located near Naples, is one of the most talked about, if not the most popular, volcanoes on the planet. In the ancient Roman era, its eruption wiped out Pompeii, Naples, Herculaneum and other cities.

The volcano is currently considered dormant, although it occasionally spews lava flows. The last time this happened was in 1944. However, scientists warn that a long period of inactivity could lead to a build-up of pressure and an even more devastating eruption, which would pose a grave threat to the hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of people living around it. The eruption left behind a huge crater that can still be admired today. Despite the fact that the place is risky, it attracts millions of tourists every year. Initially, to make the climb to the top easier for tourists, a funicular was installed, but an earthquake rendered it inoperable. Now the only way to reach the summit of the volcano is on foot.

Vesuvius, the mighty volcano that looms over Naples, is a sight to behold at any time of the year. You can join special tours that will take you to the crater and the ancient city of Pompeii, with lunch included, for 110-120 euros. You can find these tours in many tourist centres in Naples. But if you prefer to visit the volcano on your own, it is not too hard. Just remember these tips:

- You can only visit the volcano with online tickets that you have to book in advance. You won't be able to buy tickets at the foot of the mountain - you will still need to go online. And since the internet signal is very weak in this area, you might end up disappointed.

- Don't throw away your tickets after entering the Vesuvius National Park - you will need them on your way out. This is how the park administration keeps track of visitors to the volcano so that no one gets lost.

- You can only visit the crater with guides in Italian or English. The trail is about 3800 metres long and leads to the summit of the volcano (1,170 metres above sea level). The trail is of medium difficulty and experts recommend wearing hiking boots with rubberised soles. In cooler weather, it is advisable to wear thermal underwear, which is good for removing moisture and protecting from wind. Don't forget to bring water, sunglasses and a hat.

Once you arrive at the park, you will be divided into groups by guides and then have an approximately 20-minute climb to the top. After a brief introduction to the volcano, you will have the chance to walk along the edge of the crater on your own. From there, you will enjoy a breathtaking view of the Bay of Naples and the island of Ischia, as well as the cities of Herculaneum, Pompeii, the Amalfi Coast and the island of Capri. You can also find some small cafes and souvenir shops at the top.

The fastest and cheapest (about 3 euros) way to get to the volcano is to take the Circumvesuviana train from Naples central station to Ercolano station and then the Vesuvio Express bus (about 14 km). The same buses also go to Vesuvius from Pompeii station. There are also direct buses to Vesuvius twice a day (15 euros each way) from Naples Central Station.

So what are you waiting for? Grab your bags and head to the volcano...

Enjoy your trip!