Points of interest

Piscina Mirabile and Cento Camerelle

Piscina Mirabile, or Mirabilis, is the most impressive cistern of Roman times ever found until today. It is the terminal structure of the ancient aqueduct, commissioned by Emperor Augustus, to merge the water originating from the Serino springs, in Irpinia, and provide not only Campania’s main cities, from Pompei up to Neapolis, Puteoli and Cuma, but also and above all the Roman fleet of Miseno. It is qualified with the adjective ‘Mirabile’ for the extraordinary dimensions of its entire plumbing structure which, dug in the tuff at more than 15 metres of profundity, makes it similar to a real subterranean Cathedral.

Castello di Baia (Baia Castle)

The Baia Castle rises on a promontory of 51 metres above sea level, which dominates the Phlegraean gem, and it is the seat of the “Museo dei Campi Flegrei” (“Campi Flegrei Museum”). The Castle arises on the ruins of a Villa Romana, dated back to the Late-Republican age, transformed in the Flavian age, and that, according to many archaeologists, was Julius Caesar’s summer residence. Recent archaeologist surveys have brought back to life, in the Parco Monumentale dell’Oasi di Baia (Baia’s Oasis Monumental Park), some finds that categorically denied the thesis according to which the villa was a property of Julius Ceaser, associating it instead with Nerone.

Chiesa di Sant’Anna (Saint Anne Church)

The Saint Anne Church, with its bell tower, stands out against the Bacoli landscape, by more than three centuries. Over the years it has begun the symbol not only of the Bacoli religion cult, in honour of the Virgin Mary’s mother, but also the symbol of the entire city. A prominent church, admirable from different corners of the town: from the shores of Lake Miseno to the Miliscola coastline; going along Via Panoramica, back from Monte di Procida town, and going along the so-called Via “Scavezzacollo” (on the street map: “Via Mozart”, ex “Via Cupa Salemme”).

Casina Vanvitelliana (Vanvitellian Casina)

Vanvitellian Casina represents, with the English Garden, the Caserta Royal Palace, and the Villa of Chaia (today Villa Comunale of the city of Naples), one of the last works of Carlo Vanvitelli (1782), always commissioned by the royal dynasty of Bourbon. In addition to the entire genealogy of the Bourbon of Naples, also the Kings of Italy, Umberto I and Vittorio Emanuele III, set foot there, as well as the Republic President Luigi Einaudi. In the collective consciousness it is also known as La Casa di Pinocchio (Pinocchio’s House), due to the similarity with the Blue Fairy’s house in the film “Pinocchio” 1972 by Comencini. People, for years, have ascribed those movie scenes to the Vanvitellian Casina, whereas they were filmed at the Martignano Lake of Viterbo.

Baia Sommersa (Underwater Baia)

Baia, in Campi Flegrei, in the province of Naples, at the ancient Roman time, began a flourishing climate station, near the important commercial port of Portus Julius and the majestic settlement of the military fleet of Capo Miseno. Since millenniums, this area has been characterised by the phenomenon of bradisismo, due to the territory’s volcanic action, which has caused the sinking of part of the important ruins. Imperial thermal baths, precious mosaics, sinuous statues, and marble floors have been discovered underwater.
To protect this patrimony, in 2002, the MARINE PROTECTED AREA of Baia was created: Underwater Archaeological Park with an incomparable historical and cultural value. There are eight underwater itineraries, that range from 3 to a maximum of 13 metres of profundity. Therefore, they are suitable for going SNORKELLING and SCUBA DIVING (underwater immersions for patented divers from the beginner level onwards), and for beginners’ immersions TRY SCUBA.