The Caracciolo Waterfront in Naples seen from the Gulf: architecture and history of the Neapolitan coast

The Caracciolo Waterfront represents one of the main thoroughfares in the city of Naples, extending approximately three kilometers along the Gulf coastline. Built in the second half of the nineteenth century by initiative of the municipal administration, it takes its name from Admiral Francesco Caracciolo. The route connects the Mergellina district with Piazza Vittoria, crossing through the Villa Comunale. The seafront view offers a perspective on the coastal line where historic buildings from the Liberty and Rationalist periods alternate with twentieth-century hotel structures and contemporary architecture. On the eastern side stands the profile of Castel dell'Ovo, a Norman fortification built on the islet of Megaride. The waterfront constitutes an integral part of the urban road network and represents a connecting element between the different coastal neighborhoods of the city. The area is characterized by the presence of public facilities, pedestrian spaces, and proximity to Villa Comunale, one of the main city parks dating back to the eighteenth century.

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