Sample the irresistible wares of a chocolate factory, see a bridge to nowhere and explore the narrow maze of streets in this neighbourhood that starting taking shape in the ’60s and ’70s.
Sitting on the highest part of Vomero hill is Rione Alto, whose name means “High District” in Italian. As development increased in the 1960s and ’70s, the narrow streets from the days of farm carts stayed the same while modern buildings sprouted up on the hill.
Begin your Rione Alto visit with a walk to little square of Piazzetta Toto. This paved square forms the heart of Rione Alto, along with the surrounding shops and cafés. The main feature of the square is the Statue of Totò, a homage to arguably one of Italy’s most popular comedians. Have a look at the forlorn image of Antonio De Curtis, otherwise know as “Totò”and the “Prince of Laughter.”
Treat you taste buds to a delectable range of chocolate delights at the Dolce Idea Gennaro Bottone chocolate shop and factory. The factory produces a range of quality, seasonal and artistic chocolates, so choosing what to sample first is the hard part. Buy a selection as a gift or souvenir and admire the clever artistry of their creations for the festive seasons and other special occasions.
Admire the best architectural example of the era of Rione Alto’s creation by visiting the Cappella Cangiani Church. Gaze up at the mixture of angles and shapes in the stark white facade. Constructed between 1969 and 1976, this beautiful design has stood the test of time remarkably well.
Find what is probably the best example of the unusual urban planning that brought about the suburb of Rione Alto. Hovering over a small overgrown valley is the Ponte Spezzato Mai Completato, which means the “Never Completed Spezzato Bridge.” The crossing was planned to help alleviate traffic in the nearby Zona Ospedaliera, the hospital district, but construction halted in 1985. There is talk of converting the nearly finished bridge into an elevated urban park.
Finish your visit to Rione Alto by enjoying a pizza at one of the neighbourhood pizzerias, with many tucked away in the district’s narrow streets. They say that Naples is where pizza was invented, so to have it where it was first made is very special indeed.
Although not high on everyone’s list of places to visit, Rione Alto offers some quirky attractions for the more intrepid traveller.
