The Quartieri Spagnoli District

To accommodate the troops of Spanish Viceroy Pedro de Toledo (1532-1553): this is the reason why the 'Quartieri Spagnoli' (Spanish Districts) were created, between the hill and Toledo Street, later Via Roma after Italy's Unity, and perhaps the most important street in Naples.

The area has a chessboard structure and is made up of narrow streets, little squares, dormers, and courtyards that intertwine together. Nowadays, the Quartieri Spagnoli are a vital part of the city both during the day and at night: small family business restaurants co-exist with artisan's shops, baroque churches and historic theatres of experimentation. In the month of June, one of the shows of the Napoli Teatro Festival Italia will turn this maze of narrow roads into one, big stage.