Galleria Borbonica (Bourbon Tunnel)

The Galleria Borbonica, or Bourbon Tunnel, is an underground route beneath the hill of Pizzofalcone in the Santa Lucia district of Naples, in Italy's Campania region, entered from Vico del Grottone. The tunnel was begun in 1853 by order of Ferdinand II of Bourbon as a military escape route linking the Royal Palace with the sea, though it was never completed for that purpose. In the 20th century it was reused for storage, and during the Second World War it served as an air-raid shelter, with families living below ground. Visitors descend with a guide into cisterns, passages and galleries cut into the volcanic tuff, where wartime relics such as beds, vehicles, statues and everyday objects have been left in place, giving a vivid sense of the city's history. Different routes are offered, from a standard walking tour to longer routes that include cisterns and, in some cases, water. A visit takes about one to one and a half hours. Tours run at set times, mainly on weekends and holidays, and must be booked ahead. The temperature underground is cool all year round, so a light layer is useful. The entrance is near Piazza del Plebiscito and about ten minutes on foot from Metro Line 1 at Municipio. The site is guided only, and group sizes are limited, so mornings and weekday slots, where available, feel less hurried. Visitors should wear comfortable shoes, as floors can be damp and uneven.