San Lorenzo Maggiore is the oldest church in Naples, dating to the 4th century. Sixteen ancient Roman columns adorn the front of the church, and the building features an octagonal interior. A number of the ancient Greek streets from the original settlement of the area have been excavated in Naples and lie underneath the church of San Lorenzo Maggiore. Visitors can see the ancient Greek thoroughfares along with significant Roman remains and a museum with ancient artifacts every day except Monday.
Castel Nuovo, or Maschio Angioino, is a castle in Naples that was built for the ruler Charles I, the first king of Naples, in 1282. The castle is surrounded by deep moats, and its architectural style is modeled on the French castle at Angers. This building on the Piazza del Municipio near the harbor dominates the bay area of Naples. Architectural features include the Triumphal Arch of Alfonso I of Aragono and the Sala dei Baroni, which Frommer's states is an "architectural masterpiece." The castle houses the Naples Civic Museum, the "Museo Civico," and features a large collection of artwork.
The remains of the ancient Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum, which were destroyed in 79 A.D. when the volcano Mount Vesuvius erupted, are near Naples. Pompeii was a thriving and wealthy port. Because of preservation caused by the volcanic ash and dust, the excavations have uncovered a large amount of details that reveal what life was like in the ancient cities. In Pompeii visitors can walk up the main street of town and visit the theatres, temples and bath-houses of old Pompeii. Drinking troughs are still standing, and local shops and Roman villas are intact. A visit to the remains of Herculaneum reveals the villas of wealthy Romans who used this ancient seaside resort as a summer retreat. Herculaneum has not been as fully excavated as Pompeii, as of October 2010.
