The Phlegraean territory stretches along the Tyrrhenian coast north-west of Naples, and in addition to the islands of Ischia and Procida includes the municipalities of Pozzuoli, Quarto, Bacoli and Monte di Procida. The toponym “Campi Flegrei”, coined by the Greeks who arrived here in 750 BC and founded Kyme, the first Greek polis in the western world, refers to the volcanic nature of the soil, meaning “burning fields”.
Inhabited since ancient times, the Phlegraean Fields played an important role in Greek and then Roman history, which can be appreciated in the remarkable historical and archaeological heritage scattered throughout the territory. The ancient remains are completely integrated into the contemporary urban landscape, so much so that the entire area is considered a widespread archaeological park.
No less interesting is the naturalistic aspect. The uniqueness of the territory lies in its volcanic nature, characterised by a rugged terrain, the result of a strong eruptive activity whose ancient phases are evident in the stratifications of the cliffs of marina di Acquamorta (Monte di Procida), a natural museum of the history of Phlegraean volcanism. The territory, which is still active, presents phenomena of secondary volcanism, such as bradyseism, which can be seen in the so-called Temple of Serapis (Pozzuoli), or the fumaroles evident in the Solfatara crater (which can no longer be visited from inside). Fascinating is the visit to Monte Nuovo, the youngest volcano in Europe, born in a single night in 1538, and to the Astroni crater where you can observe the strange phenomenon of vegetative inversion. The unevenness of the terrain alternates with the presence of coastal and non-coastal lakes, around which myths and legends have proliferated, places of particular interest to the resident and migratory avifauna of the coastal areas.
15 UNMISSABLE PLACES AND ACTIVITIES IN CAMPI FLEGREI
List of Phlegraean sites open to the public
1. Cumae Archaeological Park (opens at 9am and closes one hour before sunset; closed Tuesdays) http://www.pafleg.it tel. 081-8543060
Di Baku – Opera propria, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=107265235
2. Archaeological Park of Baia Thermal Baths
(opens at 9:00 am and closes one hour before sunset; closed on Mondays) http://www.pafleg.it tel.0818687592
Di Mentnafunangann – Opera propria, CC BY-SA 3.0
https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=32518796
3. Aragonese Castle, Campi Flegrei Archaeological Museum
(opens at 09:00 and closes at 13,30; closed Mondays) http://www.pafleg.it tel. 081 523 3797
4. Flavian Amphitheatre
(opens at 9am and closes one hour before sunset; closed on Tuesdays) http://www.pafleg.it
Tel. 081-5266007
Tickets cost 4 euro p/p and 8 euro cumulative valid for 2 days (all four sites can be visited in two days) free for teachers and students under 18, concessions for 18-25 year olds
*The afternoon closure of the sites at the end of the service varies according to the season.
Di Mattia Luigi Nappi – Opera propria, CC BY-SA 3.0
https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=13797792
5. Ancient Puteoli, Rione Terra
Di Ra Boe / Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0 de
https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=11863324
Archaeological tour of the ancient Roman city (open Monday to Sunday from 9am to 4.30pm).
Tickets cost 5 euros p/p reduced 2,50 euros for groups of at least 15 paying visitors, teachers and
children between 18 and 25 years old, free for under 18s.
Cost includes guided tour with in-house guide
For booking & info http://www.turismoeservizi.it
Ticket office Tel. 081.192.55.646
6. Puteoli sacra, Rione Terra
A tour of the 17th-century village of Rione Terra with a visit to the cathedral and the diocesan museum (guided tours Saturday-Sunday every hour from 09:45 to 13:00, last admission at 12:00; night tours Fri-Sat-Sun every hour from 18:00 to 23:00, last admission at 22:00). Ticket 8 euro p/p guided tour, 10 euro p/p per tour
Info&booking http://www.puteolisacra.it tel. 0812305099 cell.3515508654
7. Macellum, Pozzuoli
Open Thursday 10am – 2pm Saturday and Sunday 10am – 8pm summer opening, 9am – 5pm winter opening.
Ticket 4 euro p/p, reduced 2 euro for teachers and children under 18; 7 euro p/p admission with guided tour, reduced 5 euro for under 18 and students up to 25 years old
Info&reservations http://www.macellumpozzuoli.it tel 081 19851716 cell. 342 9505775
8. Astroni, nature reserve, Naples
The reserve is open on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. when daylight saving time is in force (last entry by 3.50 p.m.) and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. when standard time is in force (last entry by 2.50 p.m.). Throughout the month of August, the museum closes at 8 pm.
For costs, info&reservations http://www.crateredegliastroni.org tel. 081 588 37 20
9. Monte Nuovo, naturalistic oasis, Pozzuoli
Entrance is free and is possible in the morning, from 9am to 12pm, and in the afternoon from 2pm to 5pm. The excursion to the crater lasts approximately three hours.
Info http://www.comune.pozzuoli.na.it
10. Parco Borbonico del Fusaro, Bacoli
Free entrance, open from Monday to Sunday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Info http://www.prolococittadibacoli.it cell. 3791030885
11. Casina Vanvitelliana, Bacoli
Open on Saturdays and Sundays from 5pm to 8pm (hours may vary)
Ticket 4 euro p/p
Info&booking http://www.prolococittadibacoli.it cell. 3791030885
12. Sailing boat trips, departure from marina Monte di Procida
To appreciate the Phlegraean beauty from another point of view….
Info & reservations Mena Coppola 3385891372
13. Boat and motor dinghy hire, Monte di Procida Marina
Summer service
Info http://www.mediterraneoserviceboats.it cell. 3459139083
Info http://www.locaboatbaiano.it cell. 3384207770 – for english 3398605043
Info kyme tours cell. 335 740 3085
Info Renautica mobile. 3343982620
14. Public transport
Info http://www.eavsrl.it to be informed about timetables and connections in the municipal
area and to Naples
15. Tourist guides
Phlegraean guides association
excursions, events, personalised guided tours
Info http://www.guideflegree.it cell.3791409008 – Mara 333628013
