Villa Comunale, Naples

The Villa Comunale is a park running along the shoreline of Naples. It was once a royal promenade and commands spectacular views of the bay.

The Villa Comunale was initially a paved promenade commissioned in 1697 by the Spanish viceroy, the Duke of Medinaceli. He also commissioned the thirteen fountains and rows of willow trees along the path. The park was later laid on reclaimed land in the 1780s under the orders of the Bourbon king, Ferdinand IV. Until the unification of Italy in 1871, members of the public were allowed only on September 9th during the Festival of Piedigrotta. Today it is a popular green space within the city and still attracts crowds during the festival which includes a song writing competition.

The Villa Comunale or People’s Park has well manicured lawns and tree lined paths today. It is studded with fountains, neoclassical sculptures and busts commemorating heroes who were born in Naples in the late 19th and early 20th century. The Anton Dohrn Aquarium and Zoological station, a well known scientific research center and the Naples Tennis Club are located here. A popular antique market called the Fiera Antiquaria Napoletana, is held in the Villa Comunale on weekends all through the year.