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Certosa di San Martino Culture & history

Our most recommended Certosa di San Martino Culture & history

Naples: Castel Sant'Elmo Ticket and Pemcards

1. Naples: Castel Sant'Elmo Ticket and Pemcards

Visit the star-shaped military fortress of the Castel Sant'Elmo at the summit of Vomero Hill. Take in the fantastic views of Naples and its stunning surroundings from the rooftop. Explore the magnificent building at your own pace. Discover its interesting history, from the original church dedicated to St. Erasmus, to the current structure as a unique example of 16th-century military architecture carved into the city's famous tufa rock. Designed by the Viceroy Don Pedro Alvarez de Toledo and Pedro Luis Escriva, a military engineer from Valencia, the roof-top terrace covering the perimeter of the castle is without a doubt a stand-out feature. After enjoying the views over St. Martin's Charterhouse (Certosa di San Martino), admire the various views of the city and the gulf. Don’t miss the cultural activities and events that often enliven the spaces of the castle, from ancient art through to more contemporary styles.

Panoramic Naples Private Tour by Vintage Vespa

2. Panoramic Naples Private Tour by Vintage Vespa

A poet once wrote, "See Naples and Die," in recognition of the fact that the magnificent southern Italian city is so beautiful it’s essential to visit at least once in your life. On this 4-hour panoramic tour you will see it from many angles, and all from the seat of a vintage Vespa moped. Some of the views are famous, while others are hidden gems known only to locals. Among the many highlights is the Parco Virgiliano, a picturesque oasis on the hill of Posillipo, where a series of terraces overlook the Gulf of Naples. Another, is the romantic fishing village of Marechiaro. Get views of the volcanic islet of Nisida, and drive along the promenade of Via Petrarca. Wind your way along Via Orazio for stunning views of Versuvius. Pass the serene sanctuary of Sant'Antonio a Posillipo. Heading back to port, you will see the imposing Castel dell'Ovo, and the rocky Borgo Marinari, where boats bob and diners gather for cocktails. Continue to elegant Piazza Trieste e Trento and Piazza Plebiscito and admire an unforgettable view on the Gulf of Naples from the terraces of the Certosa di San Martino (closed on Wednesdays - replaced on that day with fortress of Castel Sant'Elmo, from which you can admire a 360 degrees panoramic view on Naples).

Naples: San Martino Tour with an Art Historian Guide

3. Naples: San Martino Tour with an Art Historian Guide

On the top of one of the Neapolitan hills, the Church of the Certosa di San Martino is a casket to one of the city's greatest treasures. Built in 1325 at the behest of the Duke Charles of Angiò, it was the mother church of the Order of the Certosini. After gathering with your guide outside the front of the church, enter the structure for a 2-hour guided tour. Around the cloister of the Monastery, the small cells demonstrate the need for peace and prayer sought by all monks. The great renovation of 1590 led the church of the Certosa to be one of the largest artistic construction sites in Southern Italy. Workers from Rome and from all parts of the Viceregno were charged with renewing the great church. These works lasted for about a century, with several interruptions and modifications in between. Today it is obvious that these works paid off. From the vault to the wonderful floor, each side chapel and every room is a priceless treasure. The beauty here is overwhelming from the inside out, with the city skyline looking crisp and wonderful on sunny days, and poetic and fascinating even in the rain.

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What people are saying about Certosa di San Martino

Overall rating

4.0 / 5

based on 11 reviews

A wonderful experience, the highlight of our trip to Naples

A special thanks to Giovanni, Giuseppe and Allesandro who were wonderful. We felt totally safe, in the Naples traffic on the Vespa's with them. Giovanni was also a wonderful tour guide and gave us lots of information on the city and its famous sights. We highly recommend this tour. Book it - you won't regret it.

This is by far the best tour we have done! Highly recommend it. Danilo and Gabriel, our drivers, were excellent. Best way to see Naples! I would do this trip again in a heartbeat. In a word - Amazing - and I can’t thank our two drivers enough. Well worth it!

An ideal tour to get an impression of the city

Unfortunately we only had 1 day in Naples, so we booked this tour to get an impression of the city. We didn't regret it, it was very impressive and informative. With the Vespa you can get everywhere, wind through the traffic jam.

Amazing tour good guide

Amazing tour! Guide was fluent in English and very hospitable and accomodating! No better way to see and experience the city except on a Vespa. It'll be an eye opener for sure!

My tour guide was AWESOME! I had the best time! I will definitely do this again!