As a real speleologist, you will be provided with your caving helmet with headlamp and explore the tunnels of the ancient underground acqueduct system of Naples, up to reach astonishing water tanks of the 15th century still full of water and decorated with mysterious symbols.

The tour is a long walk through the narrow tunnels of the acqueduct system of 'Bolla', which will take you to some water tanks of the 15th century full of religious symbols carved by the upkeepers of the ancient underground water network.

Sometimes the tour guides will change the route, showing to the visitors the rooms found by the many volunteers cleaning up new caves: new perspectives, new artefacts are waiting for you... you will end up dusty, but happy!

The Bourbon Gallery: A Journey into the Heart of Naples

Discover the Bourbon Gallery, an extraordinary engineering feat and a silent witness to the history of Naples, hidden beneath the city. This fascinating underground passage will lead you through a journey back in time, revealing millennia-old secrets and stories.

The King's Idea: A Hidden Escape Route

The history of the Bourbon Gallery began in the mid-19th century at the behest of King Ferdinand II of Bourbon. In a period of strong political tensions, the King desired a secret passage connecting the Royal Palace to the sea. This tunnel was intended to serve as a rapid escape route for the royal family and troops in case of revolts or invasions, ensuring security and discretion.

The Engineering Challenge: Building Beneath Naples

The project was entrusted to the architect Errico Alvino, who faced a monumental challenge.

The construction of the gallery involved overcoming natural and artificial obstacles in the subsoil of Naples. Workers and engineers had to cross the ancient Bolla aqueduct network, a complex system of cisterns and conduits, and deal with the stability of the terrain, composed of tuff and volcanic deposits.

To overcome these difficulties, advanced engineering solutions for the time were implemented: imposing bridges and vaults were built to span cavities and pre-existing cisterns, showcasing the construction expertise of the era.

The Gallery's Destinies: From Unfinished Project to Refuge

Despite the immense work, the Bourbon Gallery was never completed for its original purpose. The fall of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies interrupted the works, leaving the project unfinished for decades.

Its fate drastically changed during World War II. The gallery was transformed into a gigantic air-raid shelter, offering protection to thousands of Neapolitans from devastating bombings. Its wide vaults became a symbol of salvation for the population.

After the war, for many years, the gallery was used as a judicial deposit, a place where seized vehicles and artifacts were stored, accumulating objects that today bear witness to a more recent past.

The Structure: An Underground Museum

Today, the Bourbon Gallery reveals itself as an underground museum of inestimable historical and architectural value. It extends for over 530 meters, with majestic sections varying in width and height, testifying to the different phases of construction and use.

During the visit, you can closely admire:

• Ancient masonry bridges: true engineering masterpieces spanning the vast cisterns of the Bolla aqueduct.

• Mighty vaults and arches: structures highlighting the robustness and construction ingenuity of the 19th century.

• Ventilation shafts: conduits connecting the depths of the subsoil with the city above.

• Large and evocative spaces: environments that once served as shelters for the population or as storage, and which today display collections of vintage cars and motorcycles, unique artifacts from Neapolitan history.

The structure of the Bourbon Gallery is a journey through centuries of history and engineering, an experience that reveals the complexity and resilience of Naples' underground.

Are you ready to explore this incredible hidden heritage? Discover the magic of underground Naples!

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