It is a splendid eighteenth-century villa set in leafy grounds with palms, rare plants and trees over a hundred years old. This remarkable place, which was once part of the old Bourbon pheasant-shooting retreat connected to the Royal Palace in Portici, is still as beautiful and impressive today as it was when Portici was the favourite destination of eighteenth-century noblemen. Today the town is attractive in itself and also a good starting-point for those wishing to explore the area and visit sites of archaeological interest and great natural beauty. It is close to the ruins of Herculaneum and Pompeii and to Sorrento and Naples, while the coast, dominated by the brooding Vesuvius, looks across to the enchanting islands of Capri, Ischia and Procida.
Villa San Gennariello, surrounded by magnificent Mediterranean shrubs, stands where Vesuvius slopes down to the sea at the heart of the Bay of Naples.
How To Arrive
Leave the A3 Naples-Pompeii-Salerno motorway and follow the signs to the B&B which is at no. 5 Via Madonnelle You can’t miss it. You’ll see a bust of St. Gennaro, patron of the city of Naples, on the faςade. A3 motorway Naples-Pompei-Salerno Exit: Ercolano-Portici via del Corallo via MADONNELLE
Room Information (3 room)
Villa San Gennariello is a corner of paradise. The Bed and Beakfast, part of the villa’s lodge, consists of three sunny rooms - one of them with a small terrace and cooking facilities. Each room is provided with private bathroom. In summer it is possible to have breakfast outside in the magnificent courtyard with its charming marble fountain, sit and relax or read on the benches in the grounds, or sun-bathe in a natural sun-trap. Car-parking is available.
Attractions
You can easily reach the ruins of Herculaneum and Pompeii, and also Sorrento on the Circumvesuviana”, a picturesque and value-for-money local railway. Shopaholics can visit the nearby Torre del Greco, famous all over the world for its production of pearls and coral, while nature-lovers can explore the superb national park of Vesuvius. It is also possible to visit the eighteenth-century Vesuvian Villas which, in Spring often provide the setting for concerts and cultural and literary events. An important Antiques Exhibition is held in the state rooms of the Royal Palace in Portici from 19th to 27th March.. The Royal Palace and Chapel Chosen by the aristocrats of Naples who built their elegant villas on the slopes of Vesuvius, Portici became the favourite spot of the Bourbon Charles III. Enchanted by its natural beauty, he selected it as the site of his summer residence. In 1738 work began on a luxurious palace and later on the port of Granatello and the impressive Botanical Gardens with their wealth of rare plants and insects. The adjoining Royal Chapel still houses the organ played by Mozart during his visits to Portici. The Vesuvian Villas and the Golden Mile The eighteenth-century villas which sprang up around the Royal Palace in Portici, mainly along the coast and known as the Golden Mile, are genuine masterpieces, designed by the most famous architects of the time. With their scent-filled gardens and sunny interiors they represent a fine blend of natural beauty and skilful design. The Port of Granatello In February 1774 work began on the port which cost all of 30,000 ducats and generated considerable commercial activity, becoming one of the busiest ports in the country. Today it makes for a pleasant walk at the heart of the Bay of Naples; fishing boats come and go and there is a flourishing fish market. The two restaurants at the beginning of the promenade are ideal for a leisurely drink, to sample the dishes typical of the area, or simply to enjoy the lively nightlife. A Railway by the Sea (The Naples-Portici Railway, the factory and museum of Pietrarsa) In the past the only way to reach Portici was by coach or, for the wealthy few, on horseback, but on 3rd October 1839 the Naples-Portici railway - the first Italian railway - was inaugurated. The inhabitants of Portici are still proud of this record. But that is not all. The Bourbon King Ferdinand wished to make his kingdom independent of the British companies who at the time had a monopoly on steam engines. The factories of Pietrarsa were the beginnings of the first industrial centre in the area: the machines, boilers and engines which were manufactured and repaired there supplied the whole kingdom. It was in Pietarsa that the huge statue of King Ferdinand, which now dominates the square in front of the factory, was cast. The splendid carriages of the time are housed in the Museum of Pietrarsa.
