Campania is one of the Italian regions that holds a good number of World Heritage Sites, including archaeological-cultural, natural and intangible sites (such as 'The Art of the Neapolitan Pizzaiuolo'). There are seven Italian World Heritage Sites in Campania and throughout its beautiful territory: the Cilento and Vallo di Diano National Park, with the archaeological sites of Paestum, Velia and the Certosa di Padula; the historic center of Naples; the Royal Palace of Caserta of the eighteenth century with the park, the Vanvitellian aqueduct and the Complex of San Leucio; the archaeological areas of Pompeii, Herculaneum and Torre Annunziata; the Amalfi Coast; the Lombards in Italy. The places of power with the monuments left by the passage of the Lombards in Italy is the Appian Way that crosses four Italian regions (Lazio, Campania, Basilicata and Puglia) and is over 600 kilometers long, of which 180 in Campania.
The Royal Palace of Caserta of the eighteenth century with the park,
the Vanvitellian aqueduct and the San Leucio Complex
The Royal Palace of Caserta is one of the most visited places in the world for its imposing architectural beauty: it was born in the second half of the eighteenth century at the behest of Charles of Bourbon (1716-1788), enlightened Spanish sovereign and king of the Two Sicilies (a kingdom that also included Campania) who entrusted its construction to Luigi Vanvitelli (1700-1773), a brilliant architect of the time. The vast complex is dominated by the majestic building of the Royal Palace which was also to have operational functions: not only the residence of the sovereign and his court, but also an administrative center, inspired by the Escorial Palace in Madrid, Spain. According to the sovereign's project, this complex was to rival the sumptuous Palace of Versailles, which inspired the scenic gardens. In 1779 his son Ferdinand of Bourbon wanted to add the Monumental Complex of the Belvedere of San Leucio, to install a silk factory that would give work to the local workers. And to connect the Royal Palace with the Royal Colony of San Leucio, the Carolino Aqueduct was also created, a true masterpiece of avant-garde engineering for the time.
How to get to the Royal Palace of Caserta by plane: from Naples Capodichino International Airport, take the Alibus bus that leads to the Royal Palace, about 30 km away.
The historic center of Naples
The wise policy of the Bourbons, much loved by their Campanian subjects, was also responsible for the restoration of the center of Naples, one of the oldest cities in Europe (founded by the Greeks about 5 centuries BC) which with the advent of the Spanish royals from 1734 could even compete with London and Paris, then the most important capitals of the Continent. In fact, the bay of Naples, which had already been a large commercial port since ancient times, was renovated, the Aragonese Walls were built, the spectacular Royal Palace was built, as well as numerous noble palaces in Baroque style such as Palazzo Pandola, Palazzo Pignatelli di Monteleone or Palazzo Sanseverino.
The center of Naples is all to be admired, also for its religious monuments such as the medieval Church of the Clarisse, the Convent of Santa Chiara, an expanse of architectural jewels including the Castel dell'Ovo overlooking the gulf and in the center, symbol of the city, the Maschio Angioino.
How to get to Naples by plane: from Naples Capodichino International Airport, take the bus that takes you directly to Naples Station, in the central Piazza Garibaldi.
The archaeological areas of Pompeii, Herculaneum and Torre Annunziata
Not far from the capital of Campania are Herculaneum, Pompeii and Torre Annunziata, three distinct archaeological areas that represent in detail the life of ancient Roman society. In Pompeii the evocative Villa of the Mysteries, where the frescoes narrate the cult of the mysteries dedicated to Dionysus, god of plants and wine, and in Torre Annunziata the Villa of Poppea (which belonged to Nero's wife) are vivid testimonies of the opulent lifestyle of the wealthy class who lived there at the beginning of the Roman Empire. Pompeii and Herculaneum, buried by the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD, show in full detail the ancient cities with their inhabitants surprised by the tragic event in their daily activities.
How to get to Pompeii, Herculaneum and Torre Annunziata by plane: always from Naples Capodichino International Airport, take the bus that connects to the archaeological sites in about half an hour or so. Or from Salerno Costa D'Amalfi airport, Pompeii is about 50 kilometers away while Herculaneum about 65 kilometers while Torre Annunziata about 52 kilometers.
The Amalfi Coast
Also south of Naples along the Tyrrhenian coast lies the Amalfi Coast, an area of great natural beauty, rich in vineyards and orchards arranged in terraces and with towns of exquisite architectural value, such as Amalfi, Positano and Ravello, the latter also home to an evocative music and culture event. The site includes 12 municipalities, with testimonies of Roman and medieval times, including the precious goldsmith's objects kept in churches and convents, as well as the valuable majolica domes of Vietri, which express the value of a great manufacturing past in the sector. The gardens full of fragrant lemons dot the entire coast with their sunny color that is reflected in the turquoise of the sea below.
How to get to the Amalfi Coast by plane: from Salerno Costa D'Amalfi airport, take the buses that take you to the various towns of the Amalfi Coast (journey of about 45 kilometers). Or from Naples Capodichino International Airport, which is about 65 km away for a journey of about 1 hour by car.
Cilento and Vallo di Diano National Park,
with the archaeological sites of Paestum, Velia and the Certosa di Padula
Also south of Naples, between the Gulf of Salerno and the Gulf of Policastro, there are the Cilento National Park, the Vallo di Diano, the archaeological sites of Paestum and Velia and the Certosa di Padula, sites that bear witness to settlements dating back to 2500 years ago. In the Vallo di Diano, a vast and fertile plateau, there is Velia, a promontory overlooking the sea with an Ionic temple, a theater of the third century BC and the Hadrian's Baths of the second century AD as well as the extraordinary Porta Rosa, the only example of a Greek arch of the fourth century BC. About 40 km away is Paestum, the ancient Poseidonia, founded at the end of the seventh century BC and dedicated to the god of the sea Poseidon, which preserves some extraordinary Doric and Ionic temples dedicated to Greek gods. The Certosa di San Lorenzo a Padula in the Vallo di Diano plateau is the largest and most imposing monastic complex in southern Italy. It was founded in 1306 by Baron Tommaso II Sanseverino (nephew of St. Thomas Aquinas) and its structure, which covers an area of 51,500 square meters, recalls the image of the grill on which the Saint was burned.
How to get to the Cilento, Vallo di Diano, Paestum, Velia and the Certosa di Padula National Park by plane: from Salerno Costa D'Amalfi airport, then continue with the buses that take you to the sites (about 30 kilometers to Paestum and about 70 kilometers to Velia). Or from Naples Capodichino International Airport, which is about 120 km away for a journey of about 1 hour and 30 minutes by car.
The Lombards in Italy. Places of power
Since 2011, the Church of Santa Sofia in Benevento has also been part of the World Heritage Site The Lombards in Italy - The Places of Power, vestiges of the domination of the Germanic people over the duchies of Spoleto and Benevento. It was in fact the Lombard Arechi II, first duke and then prince of Benevento, who wanted around 760 the construction of the large church which soon became, housing the relics of their martyrs, a shrine of the Lombard lineage. A Benedictine convent was added to the Church of Santa Sofia in Benevento, which was the site of various cultural disputes in the years following its construction.
How to get to the Church of Santa Sofia in Benevento by plane: from Salerno Costa D'Amalfi airport, take the bus that takes you to the Certosa which is about 100 km from Salerno. Or from Naples Capodichino International Airport which is about 92 km away for a journey of about 1 hour by car.
The Appian Way
The Appian Way, one of the most extraordinary road works of antiquity, was recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, during the 46th session of the UNESCO Committee, held in 2024 in New Delhi. With a route that extends from Rome to Brindisi, it represents a masterpiece of engineering: conceived in 312 BC. by the censor Appius Claudius Caecus to connect Rome to Capua, it was extended to Benevento, Venosa, Taranto and finally Brindisi, a natural bridge to Greece and the East. Created for military purposes, the road became a vital commercial and cultural corridor. It was also the scene of sacred history: it is on this route that the first Christian catacomb was built and that figures such as the apostle Paul and, according to tradition, St. Peter passed. For centuries it was among the first viae peregrinorum, traveled by travelers and pilgrims. With its more than 600 kilometers in length (180 of which in Campania), it joined Rome to two seas, crossing the Italian hinterland in a continuous route that represented the backbone of the Roman road system.
How to get to the Appian Way in Campania by plane: from Salerno Costa D'Amalfi Airport, or from Naples Capodichino International Airport.
Text by Anna Glik and Alisè Vitri
All rights reserved. Reproduction is prohibited.
Tourist Board and Unesco
cultura.regione.campania.it - www.unesco.it
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Where to stay near the World Heritage Sites in Campania
Historic center of Naples
Hotels in the city center divided by stars:
Cilento National Park
Hotels in the villages near the World Heritage Site:
Archaeological sites
Royal Palace of Caserta
Hotels in the villages near the World Heritage Site:
Amalfi Coast
Hotels in the villages near the World Heritage Site:
Hotels in Campania
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WHERE TO GO IN CAMPANIA
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Tours and excursions in Campania
CAPRI
The island of Capri can be visited with a 6-hour tour from Naples to admire the panorama of the Gulf, the Blue Grotto, Monte Solaro, Villa San Michele, Capri, the Piazzetta and enjoy the local cuisine for lunch. Particular is the 1-day tour from Naples to visit the Island of Capri.
ROYAL PALACE OF CASERTA AND AMPHITHEATER OF SPARTACUS IN CAPUA
Excursion with a professional guide and private transport to Caserta and Capua in the province. The tour takes you to the discovery of the royal palace of the Royal Palace of Caserta and the amphitheater of ancient Capua, the second largest in the world after the Colosseum in Rome. Tour to the Royal Palace of Caserta and the Amphitheater of Spartacus.
POMPEII AND HERCULANEUM
Day trip to the World Heritage sites of Herculaneum and Pompeii. Departure from hotels in Naples by bus with tour leader. Visit of Pompeii with a tour guide while in Herculaneum the visit is free. Tour to Pompeii and Herculaneum from Naples.
POSITANO, AMALFI AND RAVELLO
Discovering the enchanting landscape of the Amalfi Coast to visit Positano, Ravello, Scala and Amalfi, towns rich in history and culture. It starts with an 8-hour bus tour from Naples. From Naples: Positano, Amalfi and Ravello guided tour.
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Airports nearby World Heritage Sites in Campania
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On this issue: The World Heritage Sites of Basilicata and Puglia.
