NAP:
Maggio dei Monumenti – When Naples Throws Open Its Golden Doors

Naples, Italy – For one glorious month each spring, this city of hidden courtyards and forgotten frescoes performs magic: palaces that are normally closed whisper open, churches reveal their secret chapels, and even the most jaded Neapolitans rediscover their own city. Welcome to Maggio dei Monumenti (May of Monuments), Naples' grandest celebration of art, history, and civic pride.

A Citywide Treasure Hunt

The festival began in 1992 as a way to reclaim Naples' cultural heritage after years of neglect. Today, it's grown into Europe's most ambitious open-door heritage event, with over 200 sites participating. "We have more UNESCO sites than any other city," boasts Mayor Gaetano Manfredi, "but many are tucked away behind unmarked doors. In May, we change that."

Highlights include:

  • The Cappella Sansevero at midnight: Normally packed by day, the chapel with its famous Veiled Christ sculpture offers candlelit visits until 2 AM
  • The Bourbon Tunnel's "Secret Concert Series": Opera singers perform in the underground WWII bunkers
  • Palazzo Zevallos' hidden ballroom: Closed for restoration since 2019, it reopens with a Baroque dance exhibition

2025's Unmissable Additions

This year's theme—"Napoli Nascosta" (Hidden Naples)—focuses on spaces even locals rarely see:

  1. The Astronomical Clock Tour: For the first time, visitors can climb inside the Palazzo di Città's 19th-century clock tower
  2. The Underground Aqueducts: New LED lighting reveals ancient Greek water channels beneath the city
  3. The "Lost Gardens" Route: Five normally private noble gardens open their gates, including the Orto Botanico's citrus groves

Why Come in May?

"Other cities have museums," says art historian Dr. Lucia Bianchi. "Naples is a museum—but 70% of it is usually closed to the public. This festival lets you walk through centuries in an afternoon."

Free watercolor workshops in piazzas and street food tours pairing arancini with architectural history make this the most immersive way to experience Naples. Pro tip: The "Monumenti by Night" program (Thursdays-Saturdays) transforms sites like Castel dell'Ovo into atmospheric stages for jazz concerts.

PrestigeFly's Grand Tour Package

For U.S. travelers, we recommend:
✈ Business Class flights with Naples arrival on April 30th for the opening fireworks