Naples in Depth

*** Preliminary Itinerary ***

Overview

Naples has long been one of Europe’s most exciting and physically beautiful cities: just witness its first mythical naming for Parthenope the siren, Goethe’s famous exhortation to “See Naples and then die,” or the modern revival in interest thanks to Elena Ferrante’s best-selling Neapolitan Quartet.

This new 10-day residential tour, provides an opportunity to return to this dynamic metropolis, to enjoy its great and revitalised archaeological projects at Pompeii and Herculaneum, and discover its excellent collections of medieval, baroque and contemporary art. Led by Dr Mary Jane Cuyler, a Classical archaeologist who has spent significant periods living in Italy, we trace the early development of Naples in the underground archaeological sites and baroque churches and cloisters of Spaccanapoli, before undertaking comprehensive guided visits of Pompeii, Herculaneum and Naples’ superlative National Archaeological Museum.

From Caravaggio’s final days in the city to the mysterious Veiled Christ sculpture, we then explore great Neapolitan art, including the outstanding collection of painting in the Capodimonte Museum, one of Italy’s most important state art galleries. The dynamism of the contemporary city is apparent too at MADRE, where we experience the city’s modern and contemporary art scenes, which are also played out in a vibrant culture of street art.

This residential-style tour is rounded out with an excursion to magnificent Caserta, and by the expertise of your tour leader Dr Mary Jane Cuyler.

Tour leader

Dr Mary Jane Cuyler is an archaeologist and Latin scholar with extensive experience working on excavations in Greece and Italy. She is best known for her work on Ostia, ancient Rome’s harbour city, where she served as the field director for excavations at the ancient synagogue for more than a decade. With an MA in Classical Archaeology from The University of Texas at Austin and a PhD from the University of Sydney, Mary Jane has also worked as a tour guide for both small group and university tours

Image of Dr Cuyler courtesy of Brooke Ophoff

Highlights 

• Rediscover a wealth of Greek and Roman heritage at Pompeii and Herculaneum together with an archaeologist, after extensive new excavations

• Explore Naples neighbourhood by neighbourhood, from the narrow alleys of Spaccanapoli and the street art of the Spanish Quarters to panoramic hillsides

• Survey the outstanding but less-known medieval art of Naples, including fine sculpture in San Giovanni a Carbonara and Giotto’s legacy in fresco painting

• Spend a day examining the collections of Naples’ Archaeological Museum: world-class bronze sculptures, paintings, the Alexander Mosaic and objects from daily life

• Focus on Caravaggio’s last days in Naples in context, including the Flagellation of Christ and Seven Acts of Mercy