Plebiscite Square (Piazza del Plebiscito) is the largest square in Naples, the heart of the city. It is located three hundred meters from the beach, which stretches along the Tyrrhenian Sea. Mass city events, national ceremonies, military parades and music concerts are often held here. Installations and election campaigns are held in the square, they say goodbye to famous Neapolitans forever, and they put up Christmas trees. In ancient times, the walls of a Greek city and the castle of Lucilius stood on this site.
The history of the modern Plebiscite Square began after the new royal palace was built here. Since then, she has changed her appearance many times. Once there stood a three-arched fountain found in Pozzolo and a giant torso of Jupiter, which was used as a “talking statue”: ordinary people addressed anonymous postcards to their rulers, famous citizens and each other. Publicly, they often satirically ridiculed this or that step, decree or event. Currently, the torso of Jupiter is in the National Archaeological Museum. The square received its modern name after, as a result of a popular referendum (plebiscite) held in 1860, the townspeople expressed their desire to annex the two Sicilian kingdoms to the Kingdom of Sardinia.
On one side, the square is bordered by the Royal Palace of Naples - the main residence of the monarchs of the two Sicilian kingdoms, and on the opposite side you will see a system of colonnades reminiscent of St. Peter's Square in the Vatican, and the Basilica of San Francesco di Paola.
This Catholic cathedral was built by King Ferdinand I of Bourbon between 1816 and 1836, on the model of the Roman Pantheon, in fulfillment of a vow (by which he did so would be in the event of the return of the lost royal throne).
The neo-Gothic temple is decorated with a 53-meter dome on top, mounted on 34 columns. The façade of the portico consists of 6 columns and 2 pilasters. An inscription is carved on the pillar installed on them, which tells us to whom the temple is dedicated.
Sculptural representations of the four secular and three theological virtues are placed in galleries along the entire perimeter of the rotunda. In the right chapel of the hall there is a painting by Luca Giordano “Saint Onuphrius in Prayer.”
Under a giant arch in the center of the hall stands an altar richly inlaid with lapis lazuli and precious stones. Gilded figures of angels are placed here and there.
Admission to the basilica is free.
At the entrance to the basilica you will see statues of Charles III, King of Naples and Sicily from 1734-1759 (pictured right), and Ferdinand I, King of Naples in 1458-1494 (pictured left).
Between the Royal Palace and the Basilica of San Francesco di Paola there are two twin buildings. One of them is “Palazzo Salerno”:
The palace was built in 1775 by order of Ferdinand IV, and in 1815 it was restored by Francesco Securo in order to bring the building as close as possible to the “Palazzo della Prefectura”. The palace was then acquired by Ferdinand's son, the Prince of Salerno, and named it "Palazzo Salerno". Currently, the command headquarters of the Southern Operational Forces is located here. On the second floor you will find magnificent historical rooms, the Prince's Art Gallery with paintings by Salvatore Rosa (battles and mythological scenes), and a beautiful panoramic garden with stunning views of the city.
Ticket price:
- for adults - 10 euros, for disabled people and children 11-13 years old - 5 euros, children under 11 years old admission is free.
The second twin is “Palazzo della Prefectura”:
From the name it is clear that the city administration is located here.
On the square there is the historical cafe Gran Caffè Gambrinus, opened in 1860, where you can drink a cup of coffee, try Neapolitan sweets and Gelato - delicious Italian ice cream.
Near Piazza Plebiscita there are several public transport stops: Trieste E Trento, Piazza Carolina, Solitaria, Console, to which a bus will take you №E6. The nearest metro station Municipio (line 1) is approximately 500 meters from the square.
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