THE NAPLES ROUND - STOP BY STOP
HOLE 2 - PAR 3
Resti della Villa di Licinio Lucullo
Let me show you the Resti della Villa di Licinio Lucullo, an archaeological site in Naples. This ancient Roman villa was built in the first century BC by Lucius Licinius Lucullus. He was a man of many titles, serving as a general, consul, and gourmet. While this site is a highlight here, he also had a villa in Tusculum in the Alban Hills and the Gardens of Lucullus in Rome. It is a fascinating spot to see what remains of such a grand Roman estate. I've seen plenty of ruins, but these walls still have a certain presence.
HOLE 3 - PAR 2
Fontana dei Papiri
Let me show you the Fontana dei Papiri. This site is a fountain located in Napoli. It is a piece of the city's public water features that you can visit while exploring the area. I've found it to be a pleasant spot to pause for a moment.
HOLE 4 - PAR 3
Castel Nuovo
Let me show you Castel Nuovo, a castle in central Naples, Campania, Italy. You can pick out the Gothic art style of the building, which was first erected in 1279. Pierre d'Angicourt was the architect of the structure, and its inception was 1282. It sits right in front of the city hall and Piazza Municipio. For a long time, this place served as a royal seat for kings of Spain, Aragon, and Naples until 1815. I've seen plenty of tourists stop here to admire the scale of the walls.
HOLE 5 - PAR 3
Vittorio Emanuele II
Let me show you the work of the artist who created this piece. They produced a sculpture of Vittorio Emanuele II, which is a notable landmark for any visitor to Napoli. Whether you are walking the city or banking a ball off the surrounding facades, this sculpture is a key point of interest. I have noticed that the scale of the work makes it very easy to spot from a distance, and it helps orient you as you move through the neighborhood. It is a great example of the city's public art for anyone to appreciate.
HOLE 6 - PAR 3
Cappella Sansevero
You will first notice the baroque architecture of the Cappella Sansevero. Located on Via Francesco de Sanctis 19 in the historic center of Naples, Italy, this site is a former church building that now functions as both an art museum and a private museum. Its inception was in 1593. Inside, the chapel contains works of Rococo art created by Italian artists of the 18th century. It is recognized as an Italian national heritage, drawing in 175,138 annual visitors who come to see these specific works of art.
HOLE 7 - PAR 3
Museo archeologico nazionale di Napoli
You aren't visiting a contemporary exhibition here. The Museo archeologico nazionale di Napoli is an Italian national museum and archaeological museum founded in 1777. It is a major heritage site that draws 616,878 visitors every year. When you walk through the halls, you can pick out a vast collection of works from the Renaissance, as well as Greek and Roman eras. I've noticed that the Roman artifacts from the Stabiae, Herculaneum and Pompeii sites are particularly impressive. It is a place where the ancient world feels very present.
HOLE 8 - PAR 3
Porta San Gennaro
Porta San Gennaro is a city gate located in Napoli. As one of the ancient gates of the city, it is positioned off Via Foria and runs east and parallel to Via Duomo. If you are navigating the area, you can find it southwest of the edge of the Piazza Cavour. It is a great spot to pause before the gate leads you into a pedestrian alley. I've noticed the flow of the streets here makes for a tricky bank shot if you're aiming for the hole.
HOLE 9 - PAR 3
Castel Capuano
Castel Capuano is a castle located in Naples, southern Italy. You can find it at the southwest end of via dei Tribunali. The site is Italian national heritage and takes its name from the point in the city walls where the road led out to the city of Capua. Until recently, the castle housed the Naples Hall of Justice, though that office has since moved to the Centro Direzionale. I've noticed the building has a very commanding presence on the street.
HOLE 10 - PAR 3
Museo Diocesano
While it may look like a place of worship, this is the Museo Diocesano. It is a former church building designed in the baroque architecture style. The architect of the building was Giovan Giacomo Di Conforto, and work on the structure was started in 1617. Visitors can observe the specific details of the baroque style throughout the site. It remains a significant example of the city's architectural history, transitioning from its original religious purpose to its current role as a museum.
HOLE 11 - PAR 3
Porta Capuana
Porta Capuana is a Renaissance city gate and a piece of Italian national heritage. While the gate itself is the main draw, you can still see two bastions of the medieval city walls remaining to its sides. This structure originally passed through those medieval walls. Beyond its history as an entrance to the city, the gate gives its name to a zone that is one of the ten boroughs of Naples. That specific zone is part of the Fourth Municipality. I've found the area around here has a great energy for a stroll.
HOLE 12 - PAR 3
Porta Nolana
Giuliano da Maiano is the architect of Porta Nolana. This city gate is built in the Renaissance architecture style and sits in Piazza Nolana. It is a remnant of one of the medieval city gates in Naples, Italy. If you are visiting the area, you can pick out the nearby Mercato di Porta Nolano pedestrian market or the Napoli Porta Nolana train station with the Circumvesuviana lines. I've noticed the gate takes its name from the road that lead to Nola.
HOLE 13 - PAR 3
Piazza Nicola Amore
Let me show you Piazza Nicola Amore. This square is located in the Historic Centre of Naples along Corso Umberto I. You can find it right at the intersection with Via Duomo. It is a useful spot for getting your bearings while you wander through the city. I usually keep an eye out for the crowds gathering here as they move between the main thoroughfares. It is a central point in a part of the city where the streets can get quite narrow, making this open square a welcome sight for any visitor.
HOLE 14 - PAR 3
Basilica Santuario di Santa Maria del Carmine Maggiore
Located at one end of Piazza Mercato in Naples, Italy, the Basilica Santuario di Santa Maria del Carmine Maggiore is a church building. It is a minor basilica and a shrine that exhibits Neapolitan baroque art. The structure features a 75-metre bell tower and its inception was in 1200. Because of its significance, the basilica is an Italian national heritage and part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can see the influence of its style in the architecture and the way it anchors the square.
HOLE 15 - PAR 3
Piazza Garibaldi
Let me show you Piazza Garibaldi. This square in Naples, Italy, is located at the boundary between the quarters of Pendino, Mercato, San Lorenzo, and Zona Industriale. It is a significant spot in the city that was started in 1866. You can pick out how it connects these four distinct areas, making it a central point for anyone exploring the local geography. I've noticed that the sheer scale of the square makes it easy to spot from a distance as you move through the surrounding quarters. It is a useful landmark for getting your bearings in this part of town.
HOLE 16 - PAR 3
Teatro San Ferdinando
You will find the Teatro San Ferdinando in Naples, Italy. This theatre building is named after King Ferdinand I of Naples and was designed by the architect Camillo Lionti in the late eighteenth century. It holds a strong association with Eduardo De Filippo and the productions he directed during the 1950s. After closing in the 1980s, the venue reopened in 2007. Today, the Teatro Stabile of Naples manages the site. I've always found the history of the performances here to be the most interesting part of the building.
HOLE 17 - PAR 3
Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta
Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta is a church building started in 1272. This structure is built in the Gothic architecture style and is recognized as an Italian national heritage. As a Roman Catholic cathedral, it is the main church of Naples, southern Italy. It is also the seat of the Archbishop of Naples. You can see the influence of its Gothic design on the facade and throughout the building as you walk through this historic site in the heart of the city.
HOLE 18 - PAR 3
Piazza Cavour
Let me show you Piazza Cavour, which is a square located in the historic centre of Naples. You might see it referred to as Piazza Camillo Benso Conte di Cavour on some local maps. This area is positioned between the Stella district and the San Lorenzo district, providing a clear dividing line between the two. It is a useful landmark for getting your bearings while exploring the city. I usually find that the open space makes for an easy glide, though I spend most of my time watching the crowds from the nearby ledges.
STOP 19
Catacombe di San Gaudiosio
Deep beneath the soil, you will find the paleo-Christian burial sites of the Catacombs of Saint Gaudiosus. Located in the northern area of Naples, this archaeological site is a catacomb. It is a place where the quiet of the earth replaces the chaos of the city. I usually find the silence down here a nice break from the noisy streets above, though you will be more interested in the history of these ancient burial grounds. Let me show you around this unique part of the city's underground layout.