The Piazza del Plebiscito is one of the largest, most famous and beautiful squares in Naples. It is bordered by some of the city’s most famous tourist attractions, such as the Royal Palace and the San Francesco di Paola Church.
Piazza del Plebiscito Naples
Useful information
Public transportation: Bus: 140, E6, N1, N3, R1, R2.
History Piazza del Plebiscito Naples
The Piazza del Plebiscito, with an arcade supported by columns, was designed by Joachim Murat in 1809.
The square received its current name on October 21, 1860, when as a result of a plebiscite the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies was added to the Kingdom of Sardinia. Previously it was called Largo di Palazzo or also Foro Regio.
Today it is the square where many major events, from political gatherings to concerts by e.g. Bruce Springsteen, in Naples take place. During the Christmas period, a number of modern artworks are always placed in the square.
What to see
Standing in the square and looking in north-west direction, one can see the Castel Sant’Elmo and the Certosa di San Martino at the bottom of a vine-covered hillside.
The east side of the square is taken up by the Palazzo Reale (“Royal Palace”).
The Church of San Francesco di Paola, designed by Pietro Banchini and inspired by the Pantheon, takes up the west side. The construction of this church was decreed by King Ferdinand I in 1817 to celebrate his return after the temporary rule of Napoleon.
The statue of King Carlo VII of Bourbon on his horse was sculpted by Antonio Canova.
The statue of Ferdinand I himself is by Antonio Calí.
Both sovereigns are depicted with a solemn demeanor and dressed in Roman style. This is indicative of the dominant neoclassical taste of the time.
Attractions near Piazza del Plebiscito
Piazza del Plebiscito merges on the north side with Piazza Trieste e Trento, where Naples’ most exclusive café, the Caffé Gambrinus, is located.
Across from this square is Via Toledo, the largest shopping street in Naples.