Via dei Tribunali

About this activity

Strolling through the historic center of Naples, an obligatory stop is. Via dei Tribunali, the ancient Decumanus Major. From Port'Alba to Bellini Square, after the intersection with Cathedral Street continues until it ends with Castel Capuano, after which it was named, as it was the seat of the city's five courts: the great court of Viaria, the royal council, the royal chamber of Sommaria, the court of Bagliva, and the court of the Mint.

Why visit Via dei Tribunali

Alley with the characteristic folkloric charge of Naples between the neighborhood of S. Giuseppe, Pendino, S. Lorenzo, here you can find the famous Obelisk of San Gennaro, known as the San Gennaro spire, built by Cosimo Fanzago, between the Royal Chapel of the Treasure of San Gennaro and the Chapel of the Pio Monte della Misercordia. The chapel is another key stop along the way: it is a monumental religious building that houses many important works including The Seven Works of Mercy, an enigmatic painting by Caravaggio.

Along Via dei Tribunali, specifically at St. Gaetano Square, you will also find the entrance to the fascinating tunnels and caverns of Naples Underground and the Basilica of San Lorenzo Maggiore, where it says. Boccaccio met his Fiammetta And in the adjoining convent he stayed Francis Petrarch. Also in St. Gaetano Square we find the Monumental Basilica of St. Paul Major. Continuing after the Basilica it is possible to reach the street of nativity scenes, the very famous San Gregorio Armeno. Also of note is the Church of Santa Maria delle Anime del Purgatorio in Arco, known in Naples as the church de 'e cape 'e morte because of its somber decorations such as Dionisio Lazzari's Winged Skull. Are you a music lover? Here you can find the S. Pietro a Maiella Conservatory, one of Italy's top institutions for music studies.

Via dei Tribunali is not only art and culture: this is also home to Antica Pizzeria Gino Sorbillo, a family-run pizzeria established in the 1990s. Gino learned the art of pizza making from Aunt Esterina and today he is very famous: together with his brother Totò he serves an impressive number of pizzas every day, delighting Neapolitans and all those who want to taste this typical Neapolitan dish, for sure there is a bit of a wait but it is worth it. Sorbillo is not the only pizzeria in this area, there is also La Pizzeria del Presidente and Il Figlio del Presidente or even Pizzeria Donna Sofia at Tribunali, you name it, there is only to choose from!

Curiosity about Via dei Tribunali

In the past, Via Augustale, then Via di Capuana and Via del mercato vecchio, now owes its name to Viceroy Don Pedro de Toledo who decided to transport the five courts to the nearby Castel Capuano, causing a stir among the people who feared the courts all gathered in one place. In short, walking along the Ancient Decumanus Major, which ran through the ancient Greek city of Neapolis, it is possible to visit countless places of historical and artistic importance but also to taste the famous Neapolitan pizza.