The new Piazza Municipio in Naples: this is how it is free from the construction site after 20 years

Naples ' Piazza Municipio has finally reopened, and the construction sites that had occupied it for over 20 years have been closed .

Precisely, in reality, they were the construction sites for the metro line 6 , which also serves as an interchange with line 1, which started from Palazzo San Giacomo and reached almost all the way to the port, but now they will no longer spoil the passage or hinder pedestrians and tourists who will be able to enjoy the freed square.

What the new square looks like

Currently, Piazza Municipio can be explored on foot , and at its center is a long white slit carved out of the street, practically from the ground level. This way, it resembles a sort of long telescope , looking from the port toward the Vomero hill overlooked by Castel Sant'Elmo. This slit also serves to illuminate the spaces below with sunlight.

The pedestrian area extends all around, flanked by two lanes of traffic. The lane on the left side, facing the sea, has already been opened, and the one on the right side will soon be opened as well.

Meanwhile, the Councillor for Mobility, Edoardo Cosenza, declared that the sea-side square will also be opened by the end of 2022.

The work to be completed

In fact, underground work continues because the pedestrian link from the port directly to the Maritime Station must be completed . Work will begin by mid-April after a two-year hiatus to build the large pedestrian exit, which will also connect to the exits from metro lines 1 and 6 , without requiring road crossings.

Work on Via Acton will continue in the coming weeks , and the tram tracks will be relaid by the end of the year . However, trams will begin running further along the street, so it will take more time.

The archaeological area

As we know, over the years, numerous discoveries have been made underground during excavation work, which has slowed the progress of the project. These have always been unique and incredible finds , and the most important are undoubtedly the five nearly intact Roman ships found in what was once the ancient Roman port. These were discovered in 2003, but in subsequent years, three more were discovered in good condition . They are approximately 15 meters long and represent unique specimens, as finds of this type are truly rare.

All these discoveries, along with many other finds from the Angevin, Aragonese, and viceregal eras, will allow for the creation of a sort of museum, an archaeological area on the sides of the square that will open in the near future and will represent another unique tourist attraction.

Cover photo source: Municipality of Naples