Nat Geo Day Tour: Rione Terra - Tales of Ancient History and Personal Redemption
History & Heritage

Nat Geo Day Tour: Rione Terra - Tales of Ancient History and Personal Redemption

Free cancellation
Mobile voucher accepted
Duration: from 4 hours to 8 hours

Based on our commitment to sustainable tourism, all National Geographic Day Tours meet the Global Sustainable Tourism Council criteria, and a portion of the proceeds from these tours goes back to the National Geographic Society to fund research and sustainable programs around the world.

Do this because
  • Explore the historic Rione Terra in Pozzuoli, a mix of baroque wonders and ancient Roman treasures. Engage with specialist guides who share their transformative journeys, brought about by their involvement in the area's restoration project.
  • Discover Pozzuoli and the Phlegrean Fields with a knowledgeable National Geographic guide, well-versed in history and archaeology. You'll be led by members of the Puteoli Sacra project, including former female prisoners and young locals who are trained to guide tours of the area.
  • Learn about the important work of Puteoli Sacra, a social program that reintegrates juveniles and women released from the city's prisons by training them in the arts and guiding.
  • Peel back layers of history on a guided tour of Rione Terra, visiting the Capitolium and admiring the works of 17th-century female artist Artemesia Gentileschi in a baroque cathedral.
  • National Geographic travelers will gather, weather permitting, for an aperitif in a private garden overlooking the sea with members of the Puteoli Sacra project, who will share insights into the restoration of the site and their own personal paths to redemption.
What to expect

Set off with your local guide from Naples to Pozzuoli, where you'll visit Rione Terra, the city's ancient core, recently resurrected from decades of abandonment following seismic activity. This area has undergone extensive restoration since 1993, unearthing historical treasures and reviving its legacy. Collaborating with the Puteoli Sacra project, your tour is enriched by guides who are reorienting their lives after incarceration, sharing local history but also their personal stories of redemption.

Your exploration starts at the 17th-century baroque Cathedral of Pozzuoli, erected over the remnants of ancient temples, including a marble shrine to Augustus. Although ravaged by fire in 1964, the destruction also exposed these underlying historical layers, adding depth to your visit. Inside, marvel at works by Artemisia Gentileschi, a pioneering female artist of the Baroque period, known for her feminist undertones and exceptional life story in a male-dominated field.

The next stop is the Diocesan Museum, safeguarding Rione Terra's art since the area's evacuation in the 1970s. The collection spans baroque masterpieces to sacred artifacts. Then venture underground to the Roman city of Puteoli, established in 194 B.C., where ancient streets and structures are unusually well preserved.

Accompanied by your Puteoli Sacra guides, the tour ends with an aperitif in a private garden overlooking the sea or with tea indoors - depending on the weather - and a selection of Neapolitan nibbles.

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What's included
  • check Transport
  • check Guide
  • check Admission fees
  • check Guided tour
  • check Glass of wine
  • check Local delicacy tasting
What to remember
  • Not suitable for guests with reduced mobility
  • Bring suitable footwear
  • Bring a hat
  • Please note that all times are approximate and subject to change
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Provider
TUI ITALIA S.R.L.
Booking fee
Good news! No extra fees are applied to this booking.
Cancellation policy
Receive a 100% refund if you cancel up to 2 days before the experience begins.

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free cancellation
Entrance Fees Included