Tunnel-cemetery of ancient cars

2024 Author: Seth Attwood | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 15:55

In the very center of Naples, you can find a unique tunnel that has turned into an unusual exhibition of vintage cars. Rather, history itself has turned this seemingly unremarkable dungeon into a visited tourist attraction.

Just one hundred and fifty meters from the largest city square - Piazza del Plebiscito - you can find a door leading to the underground. Under the ground, at a depth of almost thirty meters, there is the Bourbon Tunnel, the total length of which is 530 meters. The tunnel itself is a whole network of interconnected passages, canals and caves. They are all completely different in size, length and width.

The tunnel was built in the 10th century as a secret path from the royal palace. The then reigning king was very afraid and not without reason of the people's militia and the uprising against him. Therefore, he decided in advance to think over the route of retreat in such a case. However, the king was not destined to use his underground corridor - he died before the end of construction.

For a long time, the tunnel was abandoned as unnecessary. At the beginning of the 30s of the twentieth century, it was decided to turn it into a warehouse for contraband and confiscated cars. Dozens of cars were brought here, which then for a long time simply gathered dust here, near Naples. Then, during the Second World War, the tunnel simultaneously performed two important functions: a bomb shelter and a military hospital. After the end of the war, construction and other waste, unnecessary or damaged household appliances, broken motorcycle and auto equipment began to be thrown out here. As a result, the tunnel was sealed by the authorities and was forgotten again for a while.

They remembered about this ancient dungeon of Naples only at the beginning of the XXI century. Some rubbish was then thrown away, but what turned out to be interesting for the public was left behind. So at one point the old royal tunnel-refuge turned into a rather visited museum today. Now everyone can see the unusual expositions of vintage cars and motorcycles stored under the high arches of the Naples underground. And also - listen to stories about how people escaped from shells here during the war. The museum has the opportunity to use the services of a guide who conducts a tour in English.

The duration of such an excursion program is about an hour. But since this is an underground room, even in the warm season it is worth taking a warm jacket with you. You will have to go down the stairs, which consists of 90 steps, so you should probably refuse to visit the museum with small children. But you can already go upstairs by elevator. The unusual underground museum of vintage cars is open from Friday to Sunday from 10:00 to 17:30.