Napoli a occhio nudo: Lettere ad un amico

In this vivid epistolary travelogue, a young writer shares his first impressions of Naples after arriving in May 1877. He writes to a close friend, describing a whirlwind carriage ride through bustling streets—Toledo, Chiaja, the Royal Villa—where crowds swell like a living tide and lantern light dances on the waves of humanity. The letter captures the sensory overload of honking carts, gas‑lit glow, distant serenades and the looming presence of Vesuvius, all filtered through his awe‑struck, slightly dizzy mind.

The series unfolds as a series of letters that wander beyond the city proper, taking the reader on excursions to Sorrento, Amalfi, Pompeii and a night‑time ascent of the volcano. Interspersed are observations of the poorer quarters, local festivals such as Montevergine, and the brief but enchanting trips to Capri. The narrator’s honest, poetic voice offers a snapshot of Neapolitan life in the late nineteenth century, balancing lively description with thoughtful reflection.