Via Mezzocannone, Historic street in central Naples, Italy.
Via Mezzocannone is a street in central Naples that runs from Piazzetta Nilo and Piazza San Domenico Maggiore to Corso Umberto I. Its path is lined with traditional buildings and dotted with small shops alongside university structures.
The street's name comes from the 15th century, when King Alfonso II built a fountain to supply water to horses through short pipes. These pipes were called 'cannoli' and gave the street its lasting name.
The street hosts buildings from the University of Naples Federico II and L'Orientale, where students walk between classes and study spaces throughout the day. Daily academic life shapes the character of the street, with cafes and shops oriented toward university visitors.
The street is easily reached on foot from Piazza Garibaldi by following Corso Umberto I and then turning right toward the university area. The location is straightforward to walk through with multiple entry points from different sides of the old town.
The original fountain featured a specific water measurement system where 'cannone' represented a standardized volume unit. This system was typical of medieval water engineering and shows the practical solutions of that era.
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