The City Beneath the City

Descend into the hidden tunnels, catacombs and Greek-Roman layers of Naples

Interior of Piscina Mirabilis, or water cathedral, the most monumental cistern of drinkable water ever built by Romans, in Bacoli, Campania, Italy - Shutterstock

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Beneath the vibrant streets, noisy scooters, and scent of espresso, Naples hides a secret world carved through stone and time. The city’s underground tells a story stretching back over 2,000 years – from Greek aqueducts and Roman markets to early Christian catacombs and World War II shelters. While the surface bustles with life, the tunnels below offer a quieter, eerie, and often breathtaking look into Naples’ layered past.

Exploring underground Naples isn’t just about history – it’s about experiencing how this chaotic, passionate city has always adapted, reused, and built upon itself. Whether you’re walking through candlelit catacombs, wandering Roman streets preserved beneath churches, or discovering tunnels once built for royal escapes, each site shows how Naples is a city that never forgets its foundations.

In today’s email: 

• The City Beneath the City: With so many fascinating underground sites in Naples, choosing where to go depends on what interests you most. If you love ancient history, the Roman ruins beneath San Lorenzo Maggiore are a must. For early Christian art and sacred spaces, the catacombs of San Gennaro and San Gaudioso offer a quiet, reflective experience. Thrill-seekers and history buffs alike will enjoy the dramatic wartime tunnels of the Bourbon Gallery, while classic city explorers might start with the popular Napoli Sotterranea tour in the historic centre:-

  • Napoli Sotterranea (Naples Underground)

  • Catacombs of San Gennaro

  • Catacombs of San Gaudioso

  • Galleria Borbonica (Bourbon Tunnel)

  • Lapis Museum and Underground Naples at San Lorenzo Maggiore

  • La Neapolis Sotterrata (beneath San Lorenzo Maggiore Church)

  • Piscina Mirabilis (in Bacoli, near Naples)

The City Beneath the City:-