This building looks quite interesting and worth a visit, particularly since I'm and architect and my wife and I will l be at the Archaeological Museum for opening at 9:00 am, and could visit the Galleria before the museum, or if not before, then after. However, I've read, I think on TripAdvisor, that the Galleria is partially--or mostly--vacant, and quite poorly maintained with litter all about. The comments tend to definitely pooh-pooh a visit. I'm not interested in shops per se, and a few empty cups here and there don't bother me, but since it was built for shopping it would be good to see people in it.-- even for photographs. Also, I don't want to take time to look at mostly boarded-up store fronts, and litter ankle-deep and all over the place . Moreover, if it is as deserted as I've read, I don't want to go out of my way-- or more importantly escort my wife--to risk a mugging. Sorry about that last comment, I'm not sterotyping, but rather letting my too American think-the-worst come out.
Posted by
267 posts
We were in Naples in June 2022 (my husband and I are in our 60s and daughter in her 20s), and visited the Archaeological museum, but not the galleria. We walked from downtown near the central train station midday on a Sunday. We felt safe at all times, but I do understand what your getting at. Naples has a lot of graffiti, which can be jarring at first, but I realized that it's just part of the city and an art form, but you're right there's also trash around. I feel like Naples is a more gritty city than most, but it's beautiful too especially the architecture. If that's your interest, don't let the negative reviews stop you, I don't think safety is any more of an issue than in other places, especially if talking about the day time.
Posted by
Used to be Steilacoom, now it’s Las Vegas
2307 posts
We walked through it in 2019. I know lots of things have changed since then, but the architecture was lovely.. We were there on a Saturday and there was average foot traffic and if there were boarded up windows they didn’t stick out. When I googled it, the pictures that come up look exactly as I remembered it.. Hopefully you will get a more current response or corroboration. We spent several days in Naples and never felt unsafe in any location that a tourist might go.
Posted by
Atlanta, GA
208 posts
I've never been in this building, but we visit the Umberto I Galleria daily when in Napoli (to buy Sfogliatelle from Mary!). It is vibrant and beautiful.
On safety, we are in Napoli annually in December for a week. It's one of the safest cities you can imagine. The people are all so kind and caring. You just have to get past the traffic and trash :)
Posted by
755 posts
I was there last May. It was clean and a lot of people were walking about, although I didn’t see a lot (or maybe any come to think about it) actual open businesses. I was told that people have offices there now, but I don’t know if that is true. Go for the architecture and the amazing mosaic floors. It’s a quick stop on your way, and the vicinity is not unpleasant or dangerous!
Posted by
OP
Cincinnati, OH, USA
768 posts
Thanks for the encouraging replies. It was the description that made it sound all-but-desolate that caught my attention. I'm not particularly concerned about safety in Naples any more than any other places we've visited. One of the things we've reserved time for are some serendipitous rides on the Metro, particularly Line 1, to see the Art Metro Stations.