Piazza del Plebiscito is the most famous square of Naples, the largest and most representative one: for centuries it was an irregular space, but since the 17th century it was transformed, also because of the construction of the new Royal Palace. At the beginning of the 19th century, during the napoleonic period, the square was completely changed: it was redesigned and delimited by the buildings that we can see still today; in the middle of the colonnade that encircles the square, the Basilica of San Francesco di Paola, that is the most famous element of the square: it was built by Ferdinand I, as a thanks for having reconquered the reign after the decade of French dominion.
Isolated on the square, in front of the Basilica, there are the statues of Carl III of Bourbon and Ferdinand I; Piazza del Plebiscito has not always been the beautiful open space that is today: till 1994 it was a great parking place. Later it became a pedestrian area, and so became the scene of graet celebrations, manifestations, concerts and festivities.
|
... more images of Naples
|