Photo: Associazione Culturale Borbonica Sotterranea, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Archaeological site
Bourbon Tunnel
Tunnel in Naples, Italy
- Within the UNESCO World Heritage Site “Historic Centre of Naples”
At a glance
- Type
- Archaeological site
- Coordinates
- 40°50′08″ N, 14°14′47″ E
- Address
- Vico del Grottone, 4, 80132 Napoli
About
The Bourbon Tunnel, Tunnel Borbonico or Bourbon Gallery (Italian: Galleria Borbonica) is an ancient underground passage, constructed for military purposes to connect the Royal Palace to military barracks in Naples, Italy.
The monarchy in the era of King Ferdinand II of Bourbon was fearful of the revolution-prone populace of Naples. Errico Alvino was commissioned to construct a military passage for troops connecting the Royal Palace of Naples to Via Morelli, boring underneath the hill of Pizzofalcone and reaching the quartiere San Ferdinando, but also connecting to other tunnels and aqueducts, including the old Carmignano aqueduct (1627–1629).
The monarchy would also not have been ignorant that the Viceroy of Naples in 1647 had nearly been trapped in this urban Royal Palace, and only by luck was able to flee to a nearby convent to escape angry crowds during the Revolt of Masaniello, thus the tunnel could also serve as an escape route for its royal inhabitants.
Alvino envisioned a two-lane tunnel with two sidewalks on either side.
Text from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0. Full article: «Bourbon Tunnel».
Photos
Getting there
Napoli Piazza AmedeoTrain, nearest
1.2 km as the crow flies
Bourbon TunnelVico del Grottone, 4, 80132 Napoli
Molo Beverello (Terminal Ascalfi)700 m
Aeroporto di Napoli Capodichino6.5 km
Distances are as the crow flies, not walking or driving.
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Nearby
See on the mapMore archaeological sites in Campania
- UNESCO
- Free 1st Sunday
- UNESCO
- UNESCO
- UNESCO
- Free 1st Sunday
- Free 1st Sunday
Frequently asked questions
Where is Bourbon Tunnel?
Bourbon Tunnel is in Naples, in the province of Napoli (Campania), Italy. Address: Vico del Grottone, 4, 80132 Napoli. GPS coordinates: 40.83547, 14.24627.
How much does it cost to visit Bourbon Tunnel?
There is an admission charge. Up-to-date prices are on the official website.
Is Bourbon Tunnel wheelchair accessible?
According to OpenStreetMap data, the site is not wheelchair accessible.
What else is there to see near Bourbon Tunnel?
Nearby you’ll find: Palazzo Chaves del Monte (0 m away), Palazzo Ventapane a Pizzofalcone (100 m away), Palazzo Leva (100 m away).
Sources and licences
Text. Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Data. Wikidata (CC0); opening hours and contacts OpenStreetMap (ODbL).
Photos. Wikimedia Commons, author and licence on every image.
Credits for the 9 photos
- Galleria borbonica - War refuge (Naples) — Associazione Culturale Borbonica Sotterranea, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Galleria borbonica - Cars and tunnel (Naples) — Associazione Culturale Borbonica Sotterranea, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Galleria borbonica - Cistern and stairs (Naples) — Associazione Culturale Borbonica Sotterranea, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Galleria borbonica - Motocycles (Naples) — Associazione Culturale Borbonica Sotterranea, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Galleria borbonica - Passaggio dei pozzari (Naples) — Associazione Culturale Borbonica Sotterranea, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Galleria borbonica - Scooters from the police deposit - (Naples) — Associazione Culturale Borbonica Sotterranea, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Galleria borbonica, Naples 01 — Nemo bis, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Italy July 2023 14 09 15 427000 — Robot8A, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Italy July 2023 14 09 20 348000 — Robot8A, CC BY-SA 4.0
Updated 28 October 2026. All sources and licences