Galleria Borbonica, Underground history museum in Naples, Italy
The Galleria Borbonica is an underground museum containing an extensive network of tunnels carved through tuff rock beneath Naples, connecting the Royal Palace to military installations. These passages run through multiple levels with various chambers and sections that showcase different periods and uses of the tunnel system.
King Ferdinand II of Bourbon ordered construction of this underground passage in 1853 to create a secure link from the Royal Palace to the sea. The tunnels were later repurposed during wartime as shelter and storage, becoming an important part of the city's story across several generations.
The walls bear graffiti and personal items left behind over the centuries, offering glimpses into how people lived and what they cared about during different eras. These traces connect visitors to the everyday lives of ordinary Neapolitans who passed through or sought shelter here.
Visitors should wear comfortable shoes since the underground pathways can be uneven and slippery in damp conditions. Light layers are recommended because the temperature below ground remains cool and constant, differing from surface conditions.
An old water reservoir section contains engineering systems connected to an ancient aqueduct that supplied Naples with water for centuries. This link to ancient infrastructure below the city shows how the tunnels once secured essential resources and logistics for the population.
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