Interested in getting up close and personal with Naples' past residents? Head underground to visit the Catacombs of San Gennaro. These historic burial places are the oldest in the city and the largest in all of Southern Italy. Spend some time wandering around the different rooms to see how the rooms where the wealthy and poor were buried. You won't be able to visit the Catacombs of San Gennaro without a guided tour, so be sure to book yours well in advanced.

Beneath the bustling streets of Naples (Napoli) lies a fascinating underground world filled with history, mystery, and architectural wonders. Exploring Napoli Sotterranea (Naples Underground) is one of the most unique experiences the city has to offer, revealing layers of history dating back over 2,000 years.

Start your journey at Napoli Sotterranea, where you’ll descend 40 meters (131 feet) below the city to explore an ancient network of tunnels, cisterns, and caverns. Originally carved by the Greeks in the 4th century BC for extracting tuff stone, these tunnels later served as Roman aqueducts, supplying water to the city for centuries. During World War II, they were transformed into bomb shelters, providing refuge for thousands of Neapolitans.

Another must-visit site is the San Gennaro Catacombs, a vast underground burial complex dating back to early Christianity. These catacombs house beautifully preserved frescoes, mosaics, and the tomb of San Gennaro, the patron saint of Naples. A visit here offers a glimpse into the spiritual and artistic traditions of ancient Naples.

For a more eerie experience, the Fontanelle Cemetery presents an underground ossuary filled with thousands of skulls and bones, a haunting yet deeply significant site tied to local folklore and religious traditions.

Going underground in Naples unveils a hidden side of the city, where history, mythology, and urban legends intertwine, creating an unforgettable adventure beneath one of Italy’s most captivating cities.