Ecole italienne: Deux vues napolitaines ('Grotta di Posilipo' et 'Interno della Grotta di Posilipo'), gouache sur papier, 19ème siècle

Work: 45 x 31 and ca. 37 x 24,5 cm

Frame: 58,5 x 46,5 cm and 58,5 x 43,5 cm

The Crypta Neapolitana is an ancient Roman road tunnel near Naples, Italy. It was built in 37 BC and is over 700 metres long. The tunnel connected Naples with the so-called Phlegrean Fields and the town of Pozzuoli. The eastern entrance (on the Naples side) lies in the Vergiliano park of Piedigrotta ('at the foot of the grotta'); the western end is in the area now called Fuorigrotta ('outside the grotta'). The site is also noteworthy for the presence of the so-called Virgil's tomb, as well as the tomb of the Italian poet Giacomo Leopardi. (link)