Plebiscito Square: reviews and practical tips

+8
recs
4.5/5 2 reviews
Piazza del Plebiscito

The square where Naples gathers between palaces and colonnades

A vast open space paved with white stone laid in geometric patterns sweeps out in a semicircle facing the waterfront. On one side stands the facade of the Royal Palace, while the double colonnade of the San Francesco di Paola basilica wraps around the other side to close off the square like a stone arch.

In the center, two equestrian statues face each other: one depicting Charles III, sculpted by Canova, and the other of Ferdinand I of the Two Sicilies.

Why visit Plebiscito Square

The site takes its name from the plebiscite of 1860, which sealed the union of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies with the rest of Italy. Before then, it was known as Largo di Palazzo, an open plot commissioned back in 1543 by Don Pedro de Toledo to build a viceroyal palace.

Architect Domenico Fontana later designed the square alongside the Royal Palace. Since 1888, eight niches have housed statues of the kings who ruled Naples, from Roger the Norman to Victor Emmanuel II, by way of Frederick II and Charles of Anjou.

The San Francesco di Paola basilica

Construction began in 1816. The neoclassical building draws direct inspiration from the Pantheon in Rome, featuring a columned portico that visually extends the colonnades of the square. Inside, the circular nave and dome house several religious artworks. Admission is free.

The square itself experienced a less glamorous chapter when it was turned into a public parking lot in 1963 during the peak of the automotive boom, though it has since returned to its role as a grand pedestrian space.

What to do there today

Neapolitans still treat it as a gathering spot where people stroll before heading over to the nearby Gran Caffè Gambrinus. You can wander freely around the square for a quick stop or as you head toward the waterfront and Via Toledo, which runs right off it.

Friendly tip: opening hours for the basilica vary by day, with a midday closure. It is best to check the schedule posted on site rather than relying on a fixed timetable beforehand.

How long for this activity

Plan on 30 to 45 minutes to stroll across Plebiscito Square and admire the architecture, or about an hour if you include a visit to the basilica.

Reviews of the Plebiscito Square

Summary of 2 reviews
4.5/5
Average rating
+8 recs +8 -0 Score weighted by contributor expertise level: a recommendation from a level 3 member counts as 3.
Total recommendations

Ratings by visit type

With family
4.5
As a couple
5
With friends
4.5

Avygeo ranking

#704
in the world
#508
in Europe
#57
in Italy
#3
in Naples

Must see

An iconic landmark of the city of Naples that you cannot miss!

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So many monuments

I recommend taking a walk through the chic Chiaia neighborhood and around Piazza del Plebiscito. You can admire the Basilica Reale Pontificia San Francesco da Paola there, which is very unique and free. In the evening, the building is illuminated. Then, head right across the way to the Palazzo Reale. From the rooftop terrace there, you will have a beautiful view of the port of Naples and Mount Vesuvius when the weather is clear.

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