napoli flegreanisida and bagnoli type:archaeological/landscape interest:
From the beach of Coroglio there is a little stone bridge leading to Nisida, a volcanic islet of the Flegrean Islands archipelago. It is almost circular with a flooded crater forming the bay of Porto Paone on the southwest coast. As to the etymology of its name, there are different hypothesis. A legend tells the story of a maiden who is turned into rock while she was swimming in the sea to run away from Posillipo, son of a marine deity. More plausible is the name with whom Greek people indicates this place, that is to say nesis, meaning islet. Legends and history have left their mark in this place. It seems, in fact, that Bruto and Cassio conceived their plot against Cesar in a villa on the islet. Even in Nisida, according to the narration of Marziale, Bruto’s wife Porzia, would have killed herself after having heard of his husband’s defeat. After the finding of some Roman cisterns near the building that now hosts the juvenile detention facility, many people have thought that this Roman villa was situated just in the area of the detention facility. During the Middle Age, on the island, was built a monastery, while in the 18th century the Bourbon’s realized here a penal institution. For a short period of time in Nisida there was also a hospital. Now the entrance to the islet is forbidden for the presence of the juvenile detention facility and the NATO naval headquarters. Not far from Nisida there is the quarter of Bagnoli. The origin of its name (Balneolis, small baths), refers to the presence of thermal waters. Near the beach of Coroglio, you can see the place where there were the still mills of Italsider, operative during the 20th century. At the end of the 19th century, the architect Lamont Young planned in Bagnoli the so-called Venice quarter (with canals, gardens and private housing estates). After a drainage operation begun in the 90s, the steel industry was entirely neglected and it was created the City of Science, the first interactive scientific museum in Italy. The museum, used also for cultural events and meetings, is one of the favored destination of many visitors and students. Until two years ago, every summer, on the beach of Coroglio, took place the Neapolis Rock Festival, a musical event that hosts the greatest names of the international music and that now takes place in Fuorigrotta. Recently it has been opened the North pontoon that with its length of 890 meters is the longest promenade along the sea in Europe. All along the coastal way to Pozzuoli there are many restaurants, pubs, night clubs, drink-bar with large terraces upon the sea.
Città della Scienza
Via Coroglio, 104 - Napoli (Bagnoli)
Ph. 081.3723728
website: www.cittadellascienza.it
Monday - Friday: 9.00/17.00; on Saturday: 9.00/14.00; closed on Sunday
tickets: adults € 7,00; under 18 € 5,00
