The Bourbon Tunnel, or Galleria Borbonica, bears the name of King Ferdinand II of Bourbon who in 1853 began its construction in order to create a secret underground route that, from the Royal Palace, could bring His Majesty safely to Piazza Vittoria, a square close to the sea and the barracks. Such a route was built with the purpose of allowing the King safe and fast escape in case of danger, given the risks that occurred during the revolutionary upheavals of 1848.

The very first culverts were dug to build the ancient aqueduct of the Bolla, which dates back to the Greco-Roman era and was then expanded by the viceroy Pedro de Toledo after the plague of 1528. And it was in one of these culverts dug during that ancient era that the workers hired by architect Enrico Alvino met to dig the underground tunnel wanted by Ferdinand II of Bourbon to connect the Royal Palace with the sea. The construction works began in 1853 and ended only three years later: an incredible result, especially since the tunnel was built by candlelight and dug with picks only. On 25 May 1855 the Bourbon Tunnel was inaugurated and King Ferdinand II of Bourbon walked in it for the very first time, but it was open to the public for three days only. After the Unification of Italy in 1861, the tunnel was definitively closed.

The Bourbon Tunnel became useful again during World War II between 1939 and 1945 when, together with the former cisterns nearby, it was used by the citizens as an air-raid shelter. Between 5.000 and 10.000 Neapolitans – many of whom had lost their homes during the bombings – found refuge in the tunnel.

After the war and until 1970 the tunnel served as Municipal judicial deposit; it was not only used to store objects and documents that had been extracted from the rubble caused by the bombings, but also objects taken during evictions and seizures, such as motor vehicles and cars.

Only in 2005 the tunnel became a matter of geological interest and in 2010 it was finally reopened to the public.

Today the Bourbon Tunnel is one of the most fascinating and suggestive tourist attractions in Naples; it is an important piece of the city’s history and it fully represents all its layers and contradictions. Crucial in the rediscovery of the tunnel was the intervention of the Cultural organization “Underground Bourbon”, founded by Gianluca Minin and Enzo De Luzio: many were the volunteers that dug for years, bringing back all the small treasures hidden in the tunnel.

Today, it is open to the public and can be visited following three guided itineraries: standard, adventure, caving and memory tour. Those who choose the adventure route will also experience a raft tour, while those who prefer the caving tour will have to walk with a torch in their hands and put on a helmet.

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