Campania is a stunning region in southern Italy renowned for its dramatic coastlines, ancient ruins, and world-famous cuisine. Home to Naples, the Amalfi Coast, Pompeii, and the islands of Capri and Ischia, it offers an unrivaled mix of history, natural beauty, and gastronomy. The birthplace of pizza and mozzarella di bufala, Campania captivates visitors with its vibrant culture and breathtaking landscapes.
Campania is one of the most historically layered regions in the world, inhabited continuously for over 3,000 years and home to some of history's most dramatic events. Greek colonists established cities here from the 8th century BC, followed by Etruscan and Samnite civilizations before Roman conquest made Campania the wealthiest province of the empire. The catastrophic eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD preserved Pompeii and Herculaneum for posterity. After Rome's fall, the region experienced Byzantine, Norman, Hohenstaufen, Angevin, and Aragonese rule, before the Bourbons made Naples one of Europe's largest cities in the 18th century. Italian unification in 1861 shifted power to the north, beginning Campania's relative decline.
Historical timeline
Key moments that shaped Campania.
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1
Greek Colonization
Greek settlers from Euboea founded Cumae (Cuma) near Pozzuoli, the earliest Greek colony on mainland Italy, followed by Neapolis (Naples) and Paestum (Poseidonia). These colonies brought advanced culture, art, and urban planning to the region.
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2
Greek Golden Age at Paestum
The city of Poseidonia (Paestum) constructed its three magnificent Doric temples to Hera, Neptune, and Ceres - among the best-preserved Greek temples anywhere in the world and more ancient than the Parthenon in Athens.
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3
Battle of Cumae
The Greek cities of Campania, led by Syracuse, defeated an Etruscan fleet at the Battle of Cumae, securing Greek dominance over the Tyrrhenian Sea and Campania's cultural development.
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4
Samnite Wars and Roman Conquest
Three devastating Samnite Wars resulted in Rome's conquest of Campania. The Romans absorbed and admired Campanian culture - Naples was allowed to retain its Greek language and customs for centuries.
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5
Eruption of Vesuvius
On August 24th, Mount Vesuvius erupted catastrophically, burying Pompeii under 6 meters of volcanic ash and Herculaneum under volcanic mud. Approximately 2,000 people died. The disaster preserved both cities perfectly, creating the world's most important archaeological time capsule.
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6
Lombard and Byzantine Period
After Rome's fall, Campania fragmented between the Lombard Duchy of Benevento inland and Byzantine-controlled coastal cities including Naples, Amalfi, and Gaeta. The Duchy of Naples and the Republic of Amalfi emerged as powerful independent maritime states.
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7
Republic of Amalfi
Amalfi became one of Italy's first maritime republics and major Mediterranean trading powers. Amalfitan merchants established trading posts throughout the Mediterranean and their Tavole Amalfitane maritime code became standard across the Mediterranean.
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8
Norman Kingdom of Sicily
The Norman Roger II united Sicily, Calabria, and much of southern Italy including Campania into the prosperous Kingdom of Sicily with its capital at Palermo. Caserta began its importance in this period.
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9
Angevin Rule
Charles I of Anjou established his dynasty in Naples, moving the capital from Palermo to Naples and beginning centuries of Angevin building including Castel Nuovo. Naples grew into one of Europe's most important cities.
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10
Aragonese Kingdom
Alfonso V of Aragon conquered Naples, beginning a golden cultural age. The Renaissance flourished at the Aragonese court. After Alfonso's death the kingdom passed to Spain.
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11
Spanish Rule
Campania became part of the Spanish Empire, ruled by viceroys from Madrid. Naples grew to be one of Europe's largest cities. Heavy taxation fueled the Masaniello revolt of 1647, brutally suppressed.
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12
Bourbon Kingdom of the Two Sicilies
Charles of Bourbon established an independent kingdom centered on Naples, becoming the most powerful state in Italy. He commissioned the Royal Palace of Caserta and the excavations of Pompeii and Herculaneum. Naples reached a population of 400,000, making it Europe's third largest city.
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13
Garibaldi and Italian Unification
Giuseppe Garibaldi's Expedition of the Thousand landed in Sicily and swept through southern Italy. The Kingdom of the Two Sicilies was absorbed into united Italy in 1861 with Turin as capital, beginning Campania's marginalization.
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14
Allied Landing at Salerno
On September 9, 1943, Allied forces landed at Salerno in Operation Avalanche, beginning the liberation of Italy from Nazi occupation. The Salerno beachhead became one of the war's most fiercely contested battles.
Historical eras
The chapters of Campania's past.
Greek Magna Graecia
Greek colonists founded cities throughout Campania, establishing one of the most prosperous civilizations in the western Mediterranean. The temples at Paestum and the Sibyl's cave at Cumae date from this era.
Roman Campania Felix
Campania (meaning 'fertile land') became the most prosperous province of the Roman Empire. The wealthy Roman elite built villas on the coast and islands. Pompeii and Herculaneum thrived until Vesuvius's eruption in 79 AD.
Medieval Maritime States
After Rome's fall, coastal Campania fragmented into powerful city-states. The Republic of Amalfi became a major Mediterranean power, while Naples maintained its Byzantine character as an autonomous duchy.
Bourbon Kingdom
The most culturally productive period of modern Campania, when Naples was one of Europe's greatest cities. Pompeii and Herculaneum were excavated, the National Museum established, and Caserta Palace built.
Historical sites
Places where Campania's past comes alive.
Pompeii Archaeological Park
The UNESCO World Heritage Site preserving an entire Roman city frozen in 79 AD by Vesuvius. Streets, houses, temples, theaters, baths, and restaurants are all preserved, giving an unparalleled window into Roman daily life.
Where: Via Villa dei Misteri 2, 80045 Pompeii
Admission: €18
Herculaneum Archaeological Park
Buried by volcanic mud rather than ash, Herculaneum preserves wooden structures, organic materials, and frescoes in even better condition than Pompeii. A remarkable and intimate site.
Where: Corso Resina 187, 80056 Ercolano
Admission: €16
Paestum Temples
Three of the world's best-preserved Greek temples predating the Parthenon, standing in wildflower meadows 2,600 years after their construction. The Temple of Neptune (c. 460 BC) is the most perfectly preserved Doric temple in existence.
Where: Via Magna Graecia 919, 84047 Capaccio
Admission: €14
Royal Palace of Caserta
The largest royal palace in the world by volume, commissioned by Charles III of Bourbon in 1752 and designed by Luigi Vanvitelli. Its 1,200 rooms, grand staircase, and 3km cascading garden were designed to rival Versailles.
Where: Piazza Carlo di Borbone, Caserta
Admission: €22
Cumae (Cuma)
The oldest Greek colony on mainland Italy, Cumae was home to the legendary Cumaean Sibyl whose oracle was consulted by Aeneas in Virgil's Aeneid. The dramatic cave tunnel of the Sibyl's grotto is one of Italy's most atmospheric ancient sites.
Where: Via Montecumae 3, 80070 Bacoli
Admission: €4
Museums
Curated collections that tell Campania's story.
National Archaeological Museum of Naples (MANN)
The world's most important collection of Greco-Roman antiquities, housing the best finds from Pompeii and Herculaneum including the Alexander Mosaic, the Farnese Bull, and the Secret Cabinet of erotic art.
Hours: 9:00 AM - 7:30 PM (Wed-Mon, closed Tue)
Admission: €15
Paestum National Museum
Adjacent to the temples, this excellent museum contains the unique Tomb of the Diver (480 BC) - the only example of ancient Greek figurative painting on panels ever found - plus exceptional Greek bronzes and terracottas.
Hours: 9:00 AM - 7:30 PM (closed first and third Monday)
Admission: Included with temple site ticket (€14)
Herculaneum Virtual Museum (MAV)
A virtual reality museum in Ercolano allowing visitors to experience Herculaneum as it was before the eruption, with reconstructions of rooms, streets, and daily activities.
Hours: 9:00 AM - 5:30 PM daily
Admission: €7.50
Historical tours
Guided experiences that bring history to life.
Walking tours
Free walking tours of Naples historic center daily at 10 AM and 2 PM from Piazza del Gesù. Tips-based. Excellent overview of Spaccanapoli and key sites.
Day tours
Full-day Pompeii plus Herculaneum tours from Naples from €50-80 including transport and guided entry. Evening food history tours of Naples historic center from €30.
Private tours
Private guides for Pompeii €120/half day. Naples historic center private tour €100/2 hours. Island of Capri private guide €150/half day.