Bright, passionate, unique - these are the words that accurately characterize the bay that lies at the foot of Vesuvius. The coast of the Gulf of Naples is home to ancient traditions, archaeological and artistic treasures, and the most beautiful islands in the world.
Where is the Gulf of Naples?
The Gulf of Naples is located off the southwestern coast of Italy (province of Naples, Campania region) and is part of the Tyrrhenian Sea. The length of the bay from west to east, from Cape Campanella to Cape Mizena, is 30 km. During the reign of the Roman Empire, there was dry land in place of the bay, but over time it disappeared under the waves of the sea.
The bay opens the sea route to the west of the Mediterranean Sea and borders on the north with the cities of Naples and Pozzuoli, on the east coast there is the famous volcano Vesuvius, and in the south - the peninsula with the main city of Sorrento of the same name. The Sorrento Peninsula separates the Gulf of Naples from the Gulf of Salerno. The waters of the Gulf of Naples wash the shores of the islands of Capri, Ischia and Procida. The area is an important tourist destination for Italy with Romanthe ruins of Pompeii and Herculaneum.
Great climate, breathtaking sea, magnificent cities built centuries ago, ancient civilizations that passed through the waters of the bay, leaving behind objects of art and architecture - all this is the Bay of Naples. Rich in archaeological, artistic and monumental works, it is known for the warmth of its people and their passion for music, dance and drama.
The bay offers a range of unique and unforgettable cities, from the vibrant and densely populated city of Naples to the elegant Sorrento and the ruins of Pompeii. Competing with the beauty of the mainland, 3 small islands of the Gulf of Naples - Procida, Ischia and Capri are reflected in the sea water.
Gulf of Naples: photos and paintings
The beauty of the Gulf coast has always attracted the attention of painters from different countries. Among those who immortalized the waves near Naples on their canvases was the Russian artist Ivan Aivazovsky. The famous artist lived for some time in Italy. A subtle connoisseur of all that is beautiful could not remain indifferent to the picturesque local landscapes. The most famous paintings depicting the beauty of the bay are Bay of Naples in the morning, Bay of Naples on a moonlit night and Bay of Naples at night (1895).
In our time, paintings are painted in smaller numbers, mostly photographs predominate. But in order to take a good photo that accurately conveys all the beauty of nature, you needtalent.
Communities off the coast of the Gulf
For a long time, people have sought to build cities near water bodies in order to provide life with water. Well, the coast of the Gulf of Naples has always enjoyed increased attention due to the rich marine flora. Therefore, for many centuries it was densely built up with cities and villages.
The largest city in the Gulf is Naples, after which it was named. In Latin, its name means "New City". It is the center of the Campagna region and is located on the western coast of the Apennine Peninsula, 190 km southeast of Rome. This city is the main port, center of trade and national culture in southern Italy.
In addition to Naples, the cities of Pozzuoli, Torre Annunziata, Castellammare di Stabia, Torre del Greco and Sorrento are located along the Bay of Naples.
Torre Annunziata is the southeastern suburb of Naples, located at the southern foot of Vesuvius. The name of the city comes from the name of the chapels and hospitals built in 1319 dedicated to the Virgin of the Annunciation. It was destroyed twice by volcanic eruptions in 79 and 1631. In 1997, the city became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Nowadays, Torre Annunziata is known as a resort and thermal spa with a small port.
Historic Sites
A popular tourist destination is visiting the ruins of ancient cities that once flourished on the coast of Naplesbay. The most famous ruined city of this area is Pompeii, which was covered with volcanic ash after the powerful eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD. Currently, Pompeii is an open-air museum and is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
During that memorable eruption of Vesuvius, other settlements located off the coast of the Gulf of Naples were also buried. For 2 days, starting from August 24, 79, such cities as Herculaneum, Stabiae, as well as small villages and villas, went under a multi-meter thickness of ash. After the archaeological excavations, the world again saw the ancient cities, which were completely preserved in the same form as they were before the start of the natural disaster.
Impressions of tourists from the Gulf of Naples
With 280 days of bright sunshine a year, this part of Italy is a popular tourist destination. Local resorts are great for outdoor activities, such as diving. The clean waters of the Gulf of Naples remain so even in a storm, the reason is the absence of sandy turbidity.
Most tourists come here to see the ruins of Pompeii, get closer to the mouth of Vesuvius, see the sights of Naples, swim in the local thermal springs. Boat trips and a trip to the beautiful islands of Ischia and Capri will help you feel the beauty of the Gulf of Naples.
To get to the Gulf of Naples, just go to the airports of Moscow and St. Petersburg. There are regular flights from here.to Naples, from which you can drive to any settlement on the coast.
