History
It was first built as a paved road between Piazza Vittoria and Piedigrotta by the Spanish viceroy Duke of Medinaceli in 1697 who adorned it with thirteen fountains and two rows of willow trees on each side. Later, it became a Royal Promenade known as Villa Reale and sitting directly on the shore, provided a much needed buffer between the hustle and bustle of the city to the north and the tranquil sea to the south.
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| … between the street and the sea, is the villa Reale the fashionable promenade. On one side the waves kiss the wall, and if you like you may sit for hours in the seats provided and dream of coral graves and purple mullets. Or you may walk in nicely-graveled paths, beneath palms, orange trees and bowers of blooming laurestinas, even though it be March. The whole air is full of perfume, and the promenades are thronged with the flush and the fair. Dick Tinto, New York Times, January 22, 1858 |
That however was in the days when women donned gowns to stroll through the park and when only the rich, the royals, and the famous graced its promenade. That is except for once a year on September 9th during the Festa di Piedigrotta, when all citizens were welcomed into the park, provided of course that they wore shoes. The Neapolitans still flock to Villa Comunale to celebrate that festival today.
Quoting from Napoli Unplugged website
Today
Johnnie and I are privileged to live right across the street from this lovely park. They do not water in the summer so when we first came, everything was brown and rather dusty. But with the rains this Fall, the the plants and trees have turned green again and the dust settled so it is quite lovely. We took some photos last Sunday which do not do it justice but how can you capture on film the spirit of a place?
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| One of the many fountains |
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| Many walking paths throughout the park |
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| Lots of shade trees The park is part street market, part amusement park, and part botanical gardens. It might be compared to Balboa Park in San Diego only on a smaller scale. The very old Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn of Naples is an aquarium built in 1872 by the German scientist Anton Dohr (seen in the background of photo above). Small by today's standards, this aquarium is still functioning and displays fish from the surrounding waters. Marine research is still performed here. Johnnie went through this aquarium one day and it took him about 20 min. to see it all. He was expecting it to be on multiple floors but when he tried to go upstairs one of the guards shook his finger and said "No, no, no". |
Old and young alike use this park. We enjoyed a leisurely stroll, sitting on the park bench watching people, and of course, feeding the ever-present park pigeons.
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| Pedal powered vehicle for those who want exercise |
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| Battery powered child size go carts |
We find these go carts on the sidewalks outside the park wherever the children leave them. The park attendants patiently go around and retrieve them all at the end of day.
This is a very neat bandstand with stained glass dome. It was chained off last Sunday but presumably is open for special events, weddings, concerts, etc. Looking at the inside of the roof structure, I thought it was an interesting design and construction. The frame and supports are all metal -- steel I guess -- and the decorative edges are very fine and lacey.
There are lots of statues in the park placed by during the late 1800's and early 1900's that honor different heroes of Naples. This particular statue has no inscription so I don't know who he is, however, this is housed in it's very own building as seen in the photo below.
In addition to all previously mentioned is a roller skating rink, swing set and jungle gym, and an assortment of antiques and collectibles as well as some tourist junk. We have only explored part of this lovely park and look forward to many fine Sunday afternoon strolls here in future
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