Vomero is a central district of
Naples, with a population of about 48,000.
Geography
Vomero is a hilly and heavily urbanized area in the center of Naples. To the north, Vomero borders the quarter of
Arenella, to the west;
Soccavo and
Fuorigrotta, to the south;
Chiaia, to the east;
Montecalvario and to the north east;
Avvocata.
History
The name probably derives from its ancient agricultural function and from the word "vomere" (ploughshare). Due to the field work done here, the area for centuries was nicknamed "Hill of Broccolis".
Nowadays Vomero is a residential zone that has conserved little from this rural past. Since the beginning of the 20th century the area has had a dramatic increase in residential housing. During this period, numerous dwellings were built around
Villa Floridiana,
Castel Sant'Elmo and
San Martino, including villas in the late
Art Nouveau style and large apartment houses for the upper middle class. Nevertheless, there are still historic buildings near the above-named monuments, such as the
Villa del Pontano and an old building of the
Bourbon customs office. Both are situated in the neighbourhood of
Antignano, one of the most popular and oldest of Vomero. After the Second World War the quarter began to expand to the hill of
Camaldoli.
Transport
The new
underground train system has contributed to speed up the public transport system and to ease traffic congestion in the last few years. It now connects Vomero with the city centre...
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