26) Rione Terra

26. Rione Terra – Pozzuoli

Rione Terra is the ancient heart and acropolis of Pozzuoli, a tuff fortress that preserves over 2,500 years of stratified history. Abandoned in 1970 due to bradyseism, today it is a unique archaeological and monumental site, where the modern city stands directly on top of the Roman structures of ancient Puteoli. Underground Archaeological Trail: A true journey through time, approximately 5 meters below current street level. You will walk along the ancient Roman cardines and decumani dating back to 194 BC, among shops (tabernae), warehouses, and bread-making workshops (pistrina) with millstones still intact. Cathedral of San Procolo (Temple of Augustus): A unique example of stratification where the sacred and the profane merge; the Corinthian columns of the Roman temple are visible within the structure of the Baroque basilica. Panoramic Walk: The restored alleys offer picturesque views of the Gulf of Pozzuoli, Nisida, and Cape Miseno. Puteoli Sacra: A redevelopment project that includes a visit to the Diocesan Museum and the Cathedral.