Bourbon Tunnel (Galleria Borbonica)
The basics
This soaring tunnel was constructed by the ruling Bourbon king to connect the Royal Palace with the military barracks, allowing the royal family to quickly move troops and secretly escape in the event of a rebellion. Meant to connect to the existing, early-17th-century Carmignano aqueduct system deep under the Chiaia neighborhood, the tunnel was largely forgotten until World War II, when it was used as an air-raid shelter for thousands of city residents.
Today, the subterranean corridors are one of the highlights of Naples Underground tours, during which guides share in-depth details and stories about how the tunnels have been used over time for everything from a veterinary laboratory and military hospital to storage for vintage cars and unwanted Fascist statuary. Join one of these unique tours to navigate the tunnel's depths far below the Naples and take a deep dive into the city’s 19th- and 20th-century history. Naples Underground tours are one of the most popular attractions in the city, and booking tickets in advance is highly recommended, especially during the crowded summer months.
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Things to know before you go
- There are a number of options to explore the Naples Underground tunnels, including the Galleria Borbonica. Choose a standard walking itinerary, or try guided spelunking or rafting through the ancient cisterns and aqueducts.
- Wheelchair users can join a standard tour, of which about 60 percent of the itinerary is accessible.
- Kids especially enjoy the thrill of exploring this warren of underground passages and tunnels.
- The huge spaces and dust-covered abandoned cars and scooters make for interesting photos, so bring your camera.
How to get there
The Bourbon Tunnel is part of the Naples Underground itinerary, accessible via the Morelli Parking Garage pedestrian entry on Via D. Morelli or on Vico del Grottone behind Piazza del Plebiscito.
Trip ideas
When to get there
Guided tours of Naples Underground are offered on Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and holidays. There are two morning and two afternoon tours, and the tunnel is also used as a venue for candlelight classical music concerts on scheduled evenings.
The Hidden Side of Naples: Naples Underground
More than 130 feet (40 meters) below the streets of Naples, you can explore a network of ancient spaces from aqueducts dug by the ancient Greeks to caverns excavated for air-raid shelters during World War II with a guide during a Naples Underground tour. In addition to the Bourbon Tunnel itinerary, the underground sights also include a 4th-century water cistern and the ruins of a Roman theater where Emperor Nero once performed.
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