# Napoli Sotterranea

Guide en Naples

Fuente: https://www.geocalia.com/en/companies/napoli-sotterranea

It organises guided visits to the subsoil of the historic centre from Piazza San Gaetano, on Via dei Tribunali: cisterns, galleries of the old aqueduct some 40 metres below the street and remains of the Roman theatre. Regular departures in Italian and English.

## Who they are

Behind the visits is the Associazione Napoli Sotterranea. According to its website, the first association dedicated to studying Naples' subsoil was formed in the late sixties by a group of professionals who wanted to explore the geology, speleology, anthropology and archaeology of the underground city, and to draw up a surveyed route to understand the safety of a city that partly sits on voids. In the late seventies, Enzo Albertini, now president of the association, began organising walks that became weekly, and in the late eighties the visits became regular under the name Napoli Sotterranea. The association works under a concession from the State Property Agency and presents itself as the official, authorised route.

## What you visit

The route goes down to about 40 metres beneath the historic centre and reviews some 2,400 years of history, from the Greek founding of the city: galleries and cisterns of the old aqueduct, and Second World War air-raid shelters, with the small war museum. The main visit lasts about an hour; you can add, free of charge, a visit of about 20 minutes to the remains of the Greco-Roman theatre. There is one narrow stretch that is optional: whoever does not want to go through waits outside, on benches, for about ten minutes. The other spaces are wide. Down below the atmosphere is closed and damp; the association advises low shoes and a sweatshirt even if it is hot.

## Times, prices and who can go

There are departures in Italian and English at 10:00, 12:00, 14:00, 16:00 and 18:00, and on Thursdays a night visit at 21:00 by reservation only and if at least ten people sign up. Adult entry costs €18; children aged 0 to 4 do not pay and those from 5 to 17 have a reduced rate. Small children can go without restriction, although they do not receive a candle. The route is not suitable for wheelchairs or walkers: there is no lift, and you must go down and up about 136 steps. Pushchairs are left at the entrance. Inside only a bottle of water is allowed, no food; photos are permitted.

## Meeting point and bookings

You meet at Piazza San Gaetano, 69, on Via dei Tribunali, beside the basilica of San Paolo Maggiore; the entrance is recognised by the white and blue flags with the name. The association warns that searching for the address on Google Maps leads to the wrong place and recommends using the map on its website. Small groups going in Italian or English do not need to book (the timetable page speaks of fewer than ten people and the FAQ page of fewer than fifteen); it is required for other languages, such as Spanish, for a private guide, for large groups and for the night visit. A skip-the-queue ticket is sold on the website. The phone is +39 081 296944, WhatsApp +39 376 262 8778 and the email info@napolisotterranea.org. The website does not publish cancellation conditions.

## What they run

- [Napoli Sotterranea, 40 Metres Beneath Via dei Tribunali](https://www.geocalia.com/en/italy/campania/naples/things-to-do/naples-underground), in Naples. Guided visit to Napoli Sotterranea. All year. Departures in Italian and English at 10:00, 12:00, 14:00, 16:00, 17:00 and 18:00. Groups of fewer than 10, no booking; skip-the-queue ticket on their website

Independent companies: you book with them, on their terms. Prices are as they publish them and may change.

## Practical details

- Phone: +39 081 296944
- Email: info@napolisotterranea.org

## Contact

- Web: https://www.napolisotterranea.org/
- Coordenadas: 40.8511, 14.2577

## Preguntas frecuentes

### Are there tours in Spanish?
There are no regular departures in Spanish; they can be requested by reservation.

### How long does it last?
About an hour, plus about 20 minutes if you add the Greco-Roman theatre.

### Is it suitable for claustrophobic people?
The only narrow passage is optional; the rest of the route is wide.