 This
is one of the most elegant and lively piazzas in Naples. It is found
at the end of Via Chiaia one of the most popular pedestrian streets
in Naples. It is a very popular square both with the locals and
the tourists who spend their time leisurely in the square whether
its day or even enjoying the nightlife this piazza offers.
At the center of the piazza there is a column dedicated to the
Virgin of Peace. Originally this was supposed to have been erected
in the Largo della Carita. However in 1856 Enrico Alvino managed
to obtain an official decision and had it erected in the Piazza
dei Martiri thus complementing the beauty of the square. After the
unification of Italy a decision was taken to dedicate the monuments
to the martyrs of Italy. Alvino also added four beautiful and majestic
lions at the base.
 This
piazza was built towards the end of the seventeenth century. Before
that the entire area had been occupied by the gardens and orchards
of the Abbey of Santa Maria a Cappella which had been built in the
eleventh century at the site of a still older monastery. In the
first half of the seventeenth century the church of Santa Maria
a Cappella Nuova was built where the convents orchards had stood.
In 1812 Joachim Murat ordered the demolition of this church. After
this the area was transformed. The Duke of Calabritto acquired another
section of the erstwhile convent and began constructing his palazzo
(palace). In the second half of the eighteenth century Luigi Vanvitelli
enlarged and rebuilt the palace. He transformed the great staircase
and built two facades, the main façade facing Piazza dei
Martiri and the other one on Via Calabritto. The entrance from Piazza
dei Martiri is a beautiful and tall gateway flanked by paired fluted
marble columns and pilasters.
 Enrico
Alvino built the Palazzo Nunziante with one of its sides and the
garden overlooking Piazza dei Martiri. The palazzo was six stories
high and was of an innovative style. It occupied the space that
had been left empty by the demolition of the church of Santa Maria
a Cappella Nuova.
Today the Piazza dei Martiri is a very posh area with ritzy shops
and fashion houses including Gucci, Cartier and Ferragamo and other
fashion houses. It has many popular cafes, gelaterias, taverns and
pubs. It also has many fashionable clubs in and around its vicinity
and is very popular with the chic, stylish and young crowd. It has
a lot to offer to suit everyone’s tastes and is popular for
both its daytime attractions as well as its nightlife.
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