---
title: "History — Naples Underground — Napoli Sotterranea"
description: "The history of Naples Underground from Greek quarries to Roman aqueducts, medieval catacombs, WWII shelters, and the modern rediscovery."
lang: en
json-ld: |
  {
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
    "itemListElement": [
      {
        "@type": "ListItem",
        "position": 1,
        "name": "Home",
        "item": "https://sotterranea.napoli.it/"
      },
      {
        "@type": "ListItem",
        "position": 2,
        "name": "History",
        "item": "https://sotterranea.napoli.it/en/history"
      }
    ]
  }
---

[Vai al contenuto](#main-content)

Open menu [Napoli Sotterranea](/en)EN 

[Napoli Sotterranea](/en)

Experiences

[What to See](/en/what-to-see)[Opening Hours](/en/opening-hours)[How to Get There](/en/how-to-get-there)[FAQ](/en/faq)

€ EUR 🌐 EN

[](/en)Storia [Book ↗](https://www.tiqets.com/it/biglietti-napoli-sotterranea-l146137/?partner=sotterranea.napoli.it)

# History

## Greek Origins

The history of Naples Underground begins in the 4th century BC, when the Greeks began quarrying tuff to build the walls of Neapolis. These ancient quarries evolved over the centuries into an intricate network of tunnels and cavities extending for kilometers beneath the city.

## The Roman Aqueduct

The Romans expanded the existing tunnels, creating a sophisticated aqueduct that carried water from the Serino springs to the entire city. This system remained active for centuries, becoming one of the most complex hydraulic works in the ancient world.

## The Middle Ages

During the medieval period, the underground spaces were used as catacombs and burial sites. Many churches were built directly above these ancient cavities, creating a unique bond between the sacred and the subterranean.

## World War II

During the Second World War, the tunnels were hastily converted into air-raid shelters. Thousands of Neapolitans found refuge here during the 200 Allied bombings that struck the city between 1940 and 1944.

## Modern Rediscovery

Since the 1990s, a major effort has been underway to explore and restore the underground spaces, making them accessible to the public. Today, Naples Underground is one of the city's most visited attractions, drawing over 500,000 visitors each year.

## Book your experience

[

![Naples Underground: Skip the Line Ticket + Guided Tour](https://aws-tiqets-cdn.imgix.net/images/content/b52b06c95c8f435eb9c4e701431623a9.JPG?auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=crop&h=675&w=1200&q=70)

### Naples Underground: Skip the Line Ticket + Guided Tour

4.5 · 1h 30min 

From €18,00



](/en/experience/naples-underground-skip-the-line-ticket-guided-tour)[

![Catacombs of San Gennaro: Guided Tour](https://hwldglyiuhwxifuotiwk.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/experience-images/catacombe-san-gennaro.jpg)

### Catacombs of San Gennaro: Guided Tour

4.7 · 50 min 

From €13,00



](/en/experience/catacombs-of-san-gennaro-guided-tour)

[See all >](/en/experiences)

Napoli Sotterranea 

Explore the underground of Naples: tickets, guided tours and passes for a journey through the city's thousand-year history.

Napoli Sotterranea 

Explore the underground of Naples: tickets, guided tours and passes for a journey through the city's thousand-year history.

## Links

-   [Experiences](/en/experiences)
-   [What to See](/en/what-to-see)
-   [Opening Hours](/en/opening-hours)
-   [How to Get There](/en/how-to-get-there)
-   [FAQ & Help](/en/faq)
-   [Sitemap](/en/sitemap)

## Legal

-   [Privacy Policy](/en/privacy-policy)
-   [Cookie Policy](/en/cookie-policy)
-   [Affiliate Disclaimer](/en/affiliate-disclosure)

## Links 

## Legal 

## Disclaimer 

This site contains affiliate links. When you purchase through our links, we may receive a commission at no additional cost to you.

©2026 All Rights Reserved WEB MAREMMA - P.IVA 01371370535

WebMaremma CF DTTGLI81L29E875S P.IVA 01371370535 

-   [Privacy Policy](/en/privacy-policy)
-   [Cookie Policy](/en/cookie-policy)
-   [Affiliate Disclaimer](/en/affiliate-disclosure)

🎟️ Official partner tickets — Book online at the best price

[Book now ↗ Book now — from €10,00 ↗ ](https://www.tiqets.com/it/biglietti-napoli-sotterranea-l146137/?partner=sotterranea.napoli.it)