The railway national museum of Pietrarsa, via Pietrarsa – 80055 Portici (NA)

This museum is situated near the railway line Napoli –Portici , the first Italian railway line opened on October 3rd. It is considered one of the most important railway museums in Europe, it is possible to see some steam locomotives and some latest ones. It is a very interesting museum.

For further information about this subject please visit the section of the web site Wikipedia dedicated to the collection of the locomotives of the railway national museum of Pietrarsa

The harbour of the Granatello

In the past the cost of Portici was named granatello because there were many plantations of pomegranate trees. In the course of the centuries the coast has been totally changed by the lava the volcano Vesuvius.

In 1773 the king ferdinando IV wanted the construction of a little harbour along the coast of the Granatello. The engineer Giovanni Bompiede was in charge of this plan. He planned two piers: the first one had to be built toward west , was a continuation of the main-land and had a building for the king ; the second one expanded in the sea for about 200 metres with a side which was parallel to the coast and also orientated toward the castle castel dell’Ovo which is situated in Naples.

The construction of the harbour started on february 1774 and ended in 1780.

The royal palace and the royal chapel of Portici

The royal palace of Portici was built during the reign of Charles III for the dynasty of the Borbone royal family . It was built before the construction of the royal palace of Caserta which is bigger than the one of Portici. It is situated in a wide park which has an English style garden and an anfitheater. The smaller park is a place where the inhabitants of Portici can enjoy from the beauty of this centuries old park.

For further information about this subject please visit the section of the web site wikipedia dedicated to the royal palace of Portici.

The Vesuvian villas and the golden mile

The 18th centuries was the best time for the town of Portici because many beautiful villas were built near the royal palace.Many noble families chose to live here or to spend their vacations. These villas have made up the “golden mile”.

These villas are magnificent and elegant with parks or beautifull citrus groves decorated with refined stautues and fountains. At that time they represented the pride of many architects who planned them in fascinating sites near the sea, a luxusuriant nature and the volcano Vesuvius.