Parco Vergiliano

Naples


Head up the steep steps at this off-the-radar park and you'll find yourself peering into the world's longest Roman tunnel. Designed by the architect Lucius Cocceius Auctus, the 700m-long engineering feat once linked Naples to Pozzuoli. At the top of the 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 19th-century poet Giacomo Leopardi.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Naples attractions

1. Piazzetta del Leone

0.17 MILES

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2. Porto di Mergellina

0.34 MILES

Once home to the area's fishing fleet, Mergellina's marina is now a crowd-pulling combo of anchored yachts and kitsch Neapolitan chalets, neon-lit seaside…

3. La Torretta di Mergellina

0.35 MILES

Mergellina's broad boulevards seem a world away from La Torretta di Mergellina, a warren of earthy streets where the neighbourhood's fishermen once lived…

4. Molo Luise

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5. Thomas Dane Gallery

0.73 MILES

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6. Palazzo Donn'Anna

0.74 MILES

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7. Museo Pignatelli

0.87 MILES

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8. Museo Duca di Martina & Villa Floridiana

0.88 MILES

The Museo Duca di Martina houses a beautiful collection of ceramics, with priceless Chinese Ming (1368–1644) ceramics and Japanese Edo (1615–1867) vases…