THE ENDLESS FASCINATION OF THE CITY OF NAPLES

The Bay of Naples is the venue for the Louis Vuitton 38th America’s Cup and from a yachting perspective it is, as Grant Dalton CEO of Emirates Team New Zealand described, “perfection.” For the AC75 and AC40 foiling yachts, Naples promises to deliver world-class, accessible sailing and the anticipation of what is about to unfold through 2026 via the Preliminary Regattas and into the Louis Vuitton Cup and America’s Cup Match in 2027, is palpable.

Memories are cherished of the America’s Cup World Series Regattas held in Naples in 2012 and 2013 where it was estimated that one million people thronged to the promenade to catch a glimpse up-close of the yachts in action. For 2027, those numbers could well be exceeded, and this global hub of yachting is eagerly awaiting the arrival of the America’s Cup teams to host them in typical, passionate Neapolitan style.

What makes Naples such a special city is a combination of culture, geography and history that is totally unique. The backdrop of Vesuvius provides the spectacle whilst the islands of Capri and Ischia guard the Gulf of Naples, one of the purest natural amphitheatres for world-class yacht racing. The bay itself is imposing with the city of Naples and its sun-drenched architecture enveloping around the racecourse from the appointed base area of Bagnoli round to the Castel dell ’Ovo in front of a cluster of prestigious yacht clubs such as the Reale Yacht Club Canottieri Savoia, the Club Nautico della Vela and the Circolo del Remo e della Vela Italia.

Naples itself is steeped in a wonderful history both ancient and modern – read more about it below.

by Magnus Wheatley 

Of Greeks, Romans, and a unified Italy
HISTORY OF THE CITY OF NAPLES
The history of Naples begins in the 8th century BCE, when the Greeks founded Ischia and later Cuma, from which Neapolis – the ‘new city’ – emerged and from 328 BC, it enjoyed a period of cultural prosperity, attracting prominent figures such as Cicero and Virgil.

After the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 CE, the city passed to the Byzantines, was contested by the Lombards, and later conquered by the Normans and the Swabians. In 1263, Naples became the capital of the Angevin Kingdom, and in 1442 it came under Aragonese rule. Under the Spanish monarchy in the 16th century, the city experienced economic growth, with new walls, districts, and palaces, though the plague of 1656 claimed three-quarters of its population. In the 18th century, under the Bourbons, Naples regained its independence as a capital and entered a period of opulence. Napoleon conquered it twice before the Kingdom of the ‘Two Sicily’s’ was established in 1815—a prosperous era that lasted until Garibaldi’s arrival and the Unification of Italy in 1861.

Tradition meets technology
THE AMERIGO VESPUCCI TRAINING VESSEL
The Royal Shipyard of Castellammare di Stabia, near Naples was where the Amerigo Vespucci, the black‑hulled, gold‑trimmed full‑rigger, the training ship for officer cadets of the Italian Navy, was built and launched between 1930 and 1931 and became, even today, the floating ambassador of Italian seamanship. In the 1500’s Florentine navigator Amerigo Vespucci charted the New World with ruthless curiosity. His letters fascinated Europe, and cartographers soon stamped an entire double‑continent with his latinised first name: America.

A castle on the sea
CASTEL DELL‘OVO
One of the most imaginative Neapolitan legends traces the castle’s name back to an egg that Virgil supposedly hid inside a cage in its underground chambers. The place where the egg was kept was secured with heavy locks and kept secret because, according to legend: "upon that egg depended all the deeds and the fortune of Castel dell’Ovo." Today it dominates the Bay of Naples as a focal point of the southern end of the racecourse for the Louis Vuitton 38th America’s Cup; as well as acting as the most remarkable entertainment venue and tourist attraction with bustling restaurants set in stone cobbled streets surrounding the Castel.

The new home of the Louis Vuitton 38th America's Cup
BAGNOLI
Bagnoli’s name derives from the Latin ‘Balneolum,’ or ‘little baths,’ a reference to the thermal springs once found in the area, which gave it a spa-like reputation in antiquity. Over time, Bagnoli evolved from spa-adjacent farmland into a modern industrial powerhouse right on the sea, dominated by a steelworks factory. Today, it is undergoing a remarkable rebirth as a vibrant cultural and leisure district and will be the focal point for the team bases in the Louis Vuitton 38th America’s Cup.

Furthermore, in Bagnoli, the Città della Scienza (Fondazione IDIS) can be found. One of Italy’s leading interactive science centres, the museum combines permanent exhibitions, a state-of-the-art planetarium, and dynamic programmes that engage visitors with science.

A treat for the taste buds – and the soul
THE FOOD
Naples is a culinary haven where pizza reigns supreme. It has long been argued that no place rivals Naples as the home of pizza, yet the city’s culinary scene features far more with fresh seafood, celebrated street food like pizza fritta (deep-fried pizza), and pastries such as the flaky, ricotta-filled sfogliatella.

Naples' true religion
CALCIO: FORZA NAPOLI!
Società Sportiva Calcio Napoli (SSC Napoli) is one of the most famous football (soccer) clubs not only in Italy, but in the world. Founded in 1926 as Associazione Calcio Napoli, the club only enjoyed success in 1962 when they won the Coppa Italia, a title they won again in 1976. However, it was the arrival of the late Diego Maradona in 1984 from FC Barcelona that marked the start of a remarkable period. The club won their first two league titles, in 1987 and 1990 as well as the 1987 Coppa Italia, the 1990 Supercoppa Italiana and the 1989 UEFA Cup. In recent times, SSC Napoli has become one of the top clubs in Italy, winning Serie A in both 2023 and 2025. The legend of Maradona is everywhere in Naples, and you will see his image in restaurants, on billboards, graffiti, placards and icons around the city. A visit to a game is a must-do for any visitors to Naples.

TOP 10 ATTRACTIONS IN THE CITY OF NAPLES

1. Walk along Spaccanapoli - UNESCO World Heritage Site
   The city of Naples comes alive in all its splendour, chaos and charm on the street colloquially known as ‘Spaccanapoli’ or ‘Via San Biagio.’ It is the main street that divides Naples and is the heart of the historic centre. Begin in the Piazza del Gesù Nuovo to discover the traditional pizzerias and pastry shops, as well as some of the best monuments and churches in the city. Via San Gregorio Armeno, off Via San Biagio is famous for its nativity workshops and shops.
   
   
2. The Veiled Christ at Cappella Sansevero
   Carved in 1753 by Giuseppe Sanmartino, it shows the figure of Christ lying under what looks like a piece of the thinnest of fabrics. The facial features are clearly visible, as are the body and even the crucifixion wounds, but the entire body is covered by the delicate folds of a cloth. The visual effect is truly stunning. There are two other sculptures of note in the Capella Sansevero, each dedicated to one of the parents of the man who commissioned them and built the chapel, but it’s the Veiled Christ which rightfully commands all the attention.
   
   
3. The National Archaeological Museum
   Originally the museum was a horse-riding school, then the location of the University. The Archaeological Museum was inaugurated in 1816 and nowadays it’s one of the most important museums of the world because of the quality and quantity of works exposed. Many of the objects come from excavations at Pompeii and other nearby archaeological sites.
   
   
4. Mount Vesuvius and the Pompeii Ruins
   Mount Vesuvius known for covering Pompeii with ash, rock and lava 2,000 years ago, and which last erupted in 1944, is just 10 kilometres from Naples. There are tour buses that can take you directly, or for those who prefer to travel more independently, it is a short train trip and a bus. This is a Naples attraction not to be missed.
   
   
5. Piazza del Plebiscito
   The largest piazza in Naples at six acres, this public space is a gathering spot for a casual stroll, a backdrop for large scale art installations, a phenomenal New Year’s Eve celebration, and a stage for world famous singers and performers. Here visitors will find the Palazzo Reale, a 30-room Royal House Museum, as well as Biblioteca Nazionale Vittorio Emanuele III, the largest library in southern Italy.
   
   
6. Naples Cathedral
   Dating back to the late 13th century, the cathedral has been altered considerably due to earthquakes and restoration, especially after the earthquake of 1456, but the 1407 doorway in the centre of the front survived. In the south aisle is the sumptuous 17th-century chapel of San Gennaro, Patron Saint of Naples. On its main altar, a silver bust contains the skull of the saint, who was martyred in 305 CE, in the time of Diocletian. In the tabernacle are two vessels containing the saint’s blood, which is believed to have the power of liquefaction, celebrated with solemn ceremonies in the Cathedral each September.
   
   
7. Capodimonte Royal Palace and Museum
   In 1738 Charles of Bourbon decided to transform his hunting lodge located in the wood of Capodimonte into a Royal Palace and Museum in order to host the Farnese Collection received from his mother. The museum contains masterpieces of Tiziano, Botticelli, Rafaello, Brueghel the Elder, Andrea del Sarto, Ribera, Goya, Pinturicchio, Vasari, Alberto Burri, Mario Merz, Joseph Kosuth, Enzo Cucchi, Michelangelo Pistoletto and the extraordinary ‘Flagellation of Christ’ by Caravaggio.
   
   
8. Galleria Umberto I and Teatro San Carlo
   Galleria Umberto I is a public shopping gallery in Naples. It is located directly across from the San Carlo opera house. The San Carlo is the oldest continuously active venue for public opera in the world, opening in 1737, decades before both the Milan’s La Scala and Venice’s La Fenice theatres.
   
   
9. Castel Sant’Elmo
   For an alternative view of the Bay of Naples looking south across the racecourse of the Louis Vuitton 38th America’s Cup, the Castel Sant’Elmo is a medieval fortress located on Vomero Hill adjacent to the Certosa di San Martino, overlooking the entirety of Naples, back to Vesuvius. The former marine headquarters now houses the castle administration and some administrative offices for Naples, including the Catalogue Office, Photographic Archives and the Thefts Office.
   
   
10. The Catacombs of San Gennaro
    The Catacombs of San Gennaro are ancient underground cemetery areas dating back to the 2nd to 3rd century CE and represent the most important monument of Christianity in Naples. Perhaps the most interesting area of the entire catacomb complex is the vestibule of the lower catacomb, where four entire sarcophagi carved into the tuff remain and the ceiling is decorated with paintings that recall the Pompeian style while at the centre of the room is the baptistery dating back to 762 CE.

The Louis Vuitton 38th America's Cup, Naples 2027

For the first time ever the Louis Vuitton Cup and Louis Vuitton America’s Cup Match will be sailed in Italy, a country with one of the most colourful and enthusiastic America’s Cup histories.

In 2027, the world will look to Italy and specifically to Naples, the capital of the Campania region in Italy, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most ancient cities in Europe, as it becomes the Host City for the world’s oldest international sports trophy.

The fight for the Louis Vuitton 38th America’s Cup will take place under the watchful shadow of Mt Vesuvius and just off the waterfront of the vibrant city. With a proud heritage and rich history, Italy and Naples offer the Louis Vuitton 38th America’s Cup an unparalleled experience that one way or another is certain to add to the myth, obsession, rivalry and innovation of the America’s Cup.

All eyes will be back on the beautiful city of Naples as they will host the Louis Vuitton 38th America’s Cup and welcome the world. Photo: © Stefano Albamonte / Comune di Napoli / America’s Cup