Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
steps lies the tomb of Virgil, who died in Brindisi in 19 BC. Legend has it that the Roman
poet's remains were carted to Naples and buried in this Augustan-era vault.
Also buried in the park is the 19th- century poet Giacomo Leopardi.
A SCANDALOUS ADDRESS
Few buildings fire up the local gossipmongers like Posillipo's seaside
Palazzo Donn'Anna
(Largo
Donn'Anna 9; 140 to Via Posillipo)
. Incomplete, semiderelict yet strangely beautiful, it takes its
name from Anna Carafa, for whom it was built as a wedding present from her husband, Ramiro Guz-
man, the Spanish viceroy of Naples. When Guzman hotfooted it back to Spain in 1644 he left his wife
heartbroken in Naples. She died shortly afterwards and architectural whiz-kid Cosimo Fanzago gave
up the project. The grand-yet-forlorn heap sits on the site of an older villa, La Sirena (The Mermaid),
reputed setting for Queen Joan's scandalous sex orgies and crimes of passion (rumour has it that fickle
Joan dumped her lovers straight into the sea). Exactly which Queen Joan is up for debate. Some be-
lieve her royal nastiness was Joan I (1326-82), daughter of Charles, Duke of Calabria, whose list of al-
leged wicked deeds includes knocking off her husband. Others place their bets on Joan II
(1373-1435), sister of King Ladislao, whose appetite for men remains the stuff of licentious legend.
Palazzo Donn'Anna is not open to the public.
Parco Virgiliano
Offline map
( Viale Virgilio; 7am-1am late June-Sep, 7am-midnight May-late Jun, 7am-9pm rest of
year; 140 to Via Posillipo)
Perched high above the shimmering sea on the western-
most tip of posh Posillipo hill, this much-loved park is the place to kick back on a terrace
and soak up the views; from Capri to the south, and Nisida, Procida and Ischia to the
southwest, to the Bay of Pozzuoli and Bagnoli to the west. Trendy Posillipo
market
takes
place outside the main gates on Thursday between 9am and 2pm.
History buffs may know that the tiny island of Nisida is where Brutus reputedly con-
spired against his over-achieving nemesis Julius Caesar.
PARK
