Gallery Umberto I in Naples is first of all an architectural landmark and only then a shopping center. You will have no trouble recognizing this magnificent cruciform building. It has a high portal with four columns and a glass dome 56 meters high. If you find yourself in Naples, be sure to visit this gallery. It was built between 1887 and 1891 (opened in 1894) to improve the urban area of San Brigida, whose reputation had been badly damaged by cholera epidemics. The gallery truly achieved this goal and gave a completely different look to the central part of Naples.
The gallery is named after the second king of Italy, Umberto I. Architect - Emanuele Rocco. By the way, the building is very similar to the Gallery Vittorio Emanuele II in Milan. From the very beginning, the gallery became a gathering place for the Neapolitan elite. Wealthy people came here to spend money, drink champagne, buy expensive clothes, listen to music and eat. In this regard, nothing much has changed.
At the eight vertices of the dome there are eight bronze female figures holding chandeliers. The four semicircular windows depict the Star of David formed by two triangles, indicating that the gallery housed the Masonic Lodge of Naples.
On the floor, under the dome, there are mosaic signs of the zodiac, similar to the petals of a large flower. Their creators gave free rein to their imagination. They say that if you find your zodiac sign and stand on it, your wish will come true.
To help tourists better navigate, in the center of the mosaic there is a compass showing four directions (in Italian): OVEST-NORD-EST-SUD. The same lines indicate four exits from the shopping center.
The gallery houses many boutiques, shops, pastry shops, restaurants and beauty salons. There is even a hotel. But everything is quite expensive and not all tourists can afford it.
The gallery is located in the Piazza Plebiscita area, opposite the Teatro San Carlo, at the intersection of four streets. This is: Via San Carlo/vicolo Rotto San Carlo/via Santa Brigida/via Toledo. You can enter from all four sides.
You can get there by bus №R2 or metro, stop piazza Amedeo.
The gallery is open every day, 24 hours a day.
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