Posillipo

Geography

The houses at water's edge all have at least small piers or landings, and there are even a few small coves with breakwaters along the way. These small harbors are the nuclei for separate, named communities such as Gaiola and Marechiaro, with the characteristic "Large rock".

History

The French Homeric scholar Victor Bérard identified Posillipo as the land of Homer's Cyclopes. It is mentioned in ancient Greek and Roman sources and the Greeks first named this rocky, wooded height at the western end of the Bay of Naples Pausílypon, meaning "respite from worry".

In the 17th century the property of the site of the imperial villa passed to the family Maza who, for several generations, showed an interest in archaeology and Francesco Maria Maza [circ. 1680) was the author of inscriptions which he affixed to the so-called 'Piscine of V.Pollio' and to the 'Temple of Fortune' which were in situ in 1913. However the Maza collection was dispersed and the loss to archaeological science was irreparable as a catalogue had never been prepared. Several objects of art from Posillipan sites found their way into the hands of Spanish collectors, and are still no doubt among the Roman antiquities in Spain. Many fine pieces were taken to Mergellina and lost among the other ornaments of the villa of the Duke of Medina.

In 1820 the southern portion of the property was purchased by a well-known Neapolitan archaeologist, Cavaliere Guglielmo Bechi, and his name was associated with the Villa for more than half a century. He did much excavation, but again without publication of results.

In 1841 more methodical excavations were begun on the adjoining property to the west of the ancient lane that led down the valley from the Seiano cave to the sea. The principal buildings of that part of the Villa were soon brought to light; the Theatre, an Odeon, and the remains of a Portico overlooking the sea. An oblong building called the Temple was also found and the remains of an aqueduct.

In about 1870 the Marchese del Tufo opened a quarry for pozzolana clearing away the central part of what had been a broad continuous terrace along the south front of the property in Roman times. The buildings that stood on the hillside above the terrace, including the southern part of the baths, fell down the slope into the sea.

Roman Monuments

The archaeological park is one of the most beautiful places in the city and along the coast of Posillipo.

Among the most important sites are the Seiano cave, the underwater park of Gaiola, the imperial villa of Pausilypon, the Odeon, the theatre and the Palace of the Spirits.

Imperial Villa

The ruins of the Roman villa of Vedius Pollio, also known as the Imperial Villa, include a 2000-seat theatre on the rocky promontary at the end of the Bay of Naples. Some of the villa's rooms can be seen with traces of the wall decorations while its marine structures and fish ponds are now part of the neighbouring submerged Gaiola Park.

The villa was built in the first century BC by Publius Vedius Pollio. On his death in 15 BC, the villa was bequeathed to Augustus, and remained in imperial possession for his successors at least until Hadrian, as witnessed by a stamped water pipe. In various points the presence of water supply pipes (coated with hydraulic mortar) show the opulence of the facilities.

Augustus demolished at least part of the house and constructed in its place a colonnade in honour of his wife Livia, which he dedicated in 7 BC.

The Palace of the Spirits is an archaeological complex on the coast near Marechiaro and was the nympheum of the villa and also built in the first century BC.

The submerged parts of the ruins of the imperial villa and the rich and diverse marine and coastal natural environment can be seen via boat excursions.

Other Sights

The 700 metre-long tunnel of the Seiano cave or Crypta Neapolitana passes beneath the Posillipo hill and connects Naples with the Phlegrean Fields and the town of Pozzuoli along the road known as the via Domiziana. The eastern entrance is within the archaeological park. The first tunnel was built by Agrippa to connect the villa Vedius Pollio and other patrician villas of Pausilypon to the ports of Puteoli and Cumae. Three secondary branching tunnels end in openings overhanging the bay to provide light and ventilation.

The site is also noteworthy for the so-called Virgil's tomb.

The remains of other Roman houses can be seen in Marechiaro along the beach, or at Calata Ponticello where there is an Ionic column base and a brick niche. On the cliff towards Gaiola are the remains of the "House of the Spirits" also called "Villarosa". Further along the coast to the west is the perimeter of the "Virgil School" where it was believed that the "prophet" practiced magical arts.

The grandeur and luxury of these villas are documented in the George Vallet Archaeological museum which hosts a model of the villa Pollio and a colossal marble statue.

The Roman aqueduct supplying the coastal villas was a branch of the Serino or Aqua Augusta (Naples) and was discovered in 1882 when the Grotta Nuova di Posilipo was made for a tramway through the hill. Ancient inscriptions found inside the tunnel verify that it fed the villa of Felix Pollio, amonst others, mainly intended for the nympaeum and the baths.

Modern Developments

The area remained largely undeveloped until a road, via Posillipo, was built between 1812-24. That road starts at sea-level at the Mergellina harbor and moves up the coast, roughly parallel to the shore. The School of Posillipo was started by Anton Sminck Pitloo painting marine shore landscapes from this area.

The area has been heavily overbuilt since the end of World War II, but contains some notable historical buildings and landmarks. Among these is the Villa Rosebery, the Italian President's residence during his stays in Naples. It also contains a Mausoleum to those who died for their country, the Mausoleo Schilizzi.

Sports

Posillipo has given its name to Naples' waterpolo team, Circolo Nautico Posillipo. The neighborhood was seat of the homonym circuit which hosted the Grand Prix of Naples between 1933 and 1962.

Famous residents