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All 178 Naples Attractions »

Il Tunnel Borbonico

Vico del Grottone 4 - zona Piazza Plebiscito, 80132 Naples, Italy
+39 (0)81 764 58 08
Ranked #6 of 37 tours in Naples
4.5 of 5 stars 101 Reviews
Type: Tours
Owner description: Enchanting scenery that unfolds to the eyes of visitors, a secret place full of history and magic atmosphere.An emotional journey that conducts...... more » Owner description: Enchanting scenery that unfolds to the eyes of visitors, a secret place full of history and magic atmosphere.An emotional journey that conducts visitors in the new section of the underground of Naples. It is situated in Vico del Grottone 4, from to 150 mt. to Plebiscito Square. Until a few years ago it wasa veterinary laboratory, now is the entrance of the Bourbon Tunnel. A staircase with 8 ramps, 33 yards deep descending into the belly of Chiaia. The second entry is in Via Domenico Morelli,40, through the crosswalk of “Quick parking”.The Tunnel was built in 1853 by Ferdinand II of Bourbon, who, concerned about the outbreak of rebellion, he asked for an escape from the Royal Palace to the barrack in Via della Pace, now Via Morelli. The work was uncompleted and, during the second World War, was used by residents of the area as a military hospital, later becoming the Hall Judicial Deposit.The war left its mark even in the subsoil. That’s way there are handwrite, folding beds, messages of wish and desolation of those who lived it and still maintains its memory. Along the tunnel thereare also the evidences, 530 meters, where visitors can discover the history of real life. Through the spacious streets, it’s easy reachable the network of tunnels and cisterns of seventeenth-century,large buildings, where worked the "pozzari", the only connoisseur of Naples underground.The show is stunning, but that's not finished. On Via Morelli appear statues dating back to fascist period and many cars and motorcycles, abandoned for years, freed from piles of rubbish, arranged and illuminated ad hoc for the route.Nothing is left to chance, even lighting, perfectly integrated with the path of the visitors.Since today everything is possible to visit. Five years ago the scenery was completely different.Rubbish, degradation, wastes of all kinds covered the reliquaries. « less
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101 reviews from our community

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Date Rating
Piscataway, New Jersey
1 review
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 25 May 2012 NEW

I was just there today with my fiancé and we had a great time. Fabiana was our guide and was so passionate about the history, as well as a great pride for her people that it made the experience that much better. This is a hidden gem that everyone should see. If in Naples, please make sure you do this... More

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Melbourne, Australia
Senior Reviewer
8 reviews 8 reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
6 helpful votes 6 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 25 May 2012 NEW
1
person found this review helpful

WOW, You can not go to Naples and not go to this attraction. All the other reviews have done a great job at explaining the experience and history of this tunnel. Allow at least two hours well worth it. We took the street entrance, very narrow steep stairs at first, i am not good in enclosed spaces, i survived (LOL)... More

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See 2 more reviews by Alanbrae for Naples
London, United Kingdom
1 review
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 20 May 2012
1
person found this review helpful

Thanks to our enthusiastic English speaking guide Maria, we thoroughly enjoyed the experience and all the little stories of history. Was a private excursion and we rate this as a must see in Naples as an all weather experience. Great work done by volunteers. More

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Maastricht, The Netherlands
Senior Contributor
26 reviews 26 reviews
Reviews in 13 cities Reviews in 13 cities
19 helpful votes 19 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 16 May 2012
1
person found this review helpful

The recently opened Tunnel Borbonico is a real surprise. During our - we were lucky - private excursion of 1,5 hours with a good English speaking youg Napoletan student/guide - we were surprised about the history of the tunnel. Certainly the use as a bomb shelter during WW II was a rather unpleasant part of the history of the tunnel.... More

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See 3 more reviews by BiagiodiMaratea for Naples
Sheffield, United Kingdom
1 review
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 8 May 2012

We visited the tunnel on a very wet day in Naples. It is a fascinating trip back in time, through the ancient water system, an escape tunnel for the Bourbon kings to a world war two air raid shelter and dumping ground for confiscated cars. There are a lot of steps down (and back up!) but the tunnels are large... More

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Reading, United Kingdom
Contributor
11 reviews 11 reviews
Reviews in 8 cities Reviews in 8 cities
8 helpful votes 8 helpful votes
3 of 5 stars Reviewed 28 April 2012

If you have time its worth seeing, its an amazing place that has been cut by hand out of the volcanic stone called "tuffo" With so much else to see in Naples I am not sure it would be at the top of my list...but as the title says...worth a visit More

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See 2 more reviews by JS031951 for Naples
Grass Valley, California, United States
1 review
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 19 April 2012
1
person found this review helpful

Can't say enough about this amazing hour long guided tour of Naples' underground history encompassing both ancient to recent. And too boot the fascinating story of local Napoletoanos who volunteered for 5 years on their own with no help from outside agencies to restored for humanity what could of remained lost forever. And still at it each weekend. To understand... More

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London
1 review
3 helpful votes 3 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 14 April 2012
3
people found this review helpful

The tour is only about an hour but Ive never seen anything like this in my life! I can't believe how preserved everything is and left completely untouched since WWII. There is so much interesting history (this coming from a girl who typically falls asleep in history class) I was so intrigued by it all. Absolutely worth the 10 euro... More

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Naples, Campania, Italy
2 reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 27 March 2012

I think it was informational to take a step back in time and see just how different things were to how things are now. Even some things inbetween. I will go back. More

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Jerusalem, Yerushalayim, Israel
Reviewer
5 reviews 5 reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
2 helpful votes 2 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 24 March 2012
2
people found this review helpful

not for people who suffer from claustrophobia, it's completely underground with narrow bits. I found it very intersting. For a tour in English ask for Alice!!! More

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