The Major Decumanus
Walking along the Major Decumanus means crossing over two thousand years of history — all within just four kilometres.
It is the most emblematic urban route of ancient Naples, stretching from Piazza Dante to Porta Capuana, passing through monumental churches, noble palaces, iconic squares, museums, markets, and underground memories.
Here, grand Baroque architecture blends with popular devotion, the sound of church bells mingles with voices in the alleys, golden domes rise beside votive shrines.
The heart of Naples beats strongly along this axis — where every step is a threshold, and every corner tells a story.
Among squares, chapels, and the underground city
The itinerary begins in Piazza Dante, a cultural and literary hub, and winds its way through sculpted portals, sacred buildings, and unexpected monuments.
It’s impossible not to be struck by the Sansevero Chapel, a treasure of esoteric art and home to the famous Veiled Christ, or by the magnificent Church of San Paolo Maggiore, built atop an ancient Roman temple and layered with centuries of religious history.
Descending into the belly of the city, you’ll discover Naples underground, accessible through various entrances.
Just a few steps away lies the silent beauty of the Pio Monte della Misericordia, home to Caravaggio’s The Seven Works of Mercy.
Where history is still everyday life
The route ends at Porta Capuana, a majestic gateway that once marked the boundary between the city and the outside world.
Before reaching it, the path passes through the Museum of the Historical Archives of the Bank of Naples, the Spire of San Gennaro, noble courtyards, historic wool mills, and squares where the living identity of a city that never forgets is still tangible.
Here, everything coexists: the sacred and the profane, great art and daily life, elegance and imperfection.
The Major Decumanus is not just a route — it is Naples at its most intense and authentic.
