«The 99 Masonic ways of Naples» will be presented at Palazzo Nunziante

Breaking: New Napoli Freemasonry Chronicle Unveiled – 99 Streets Told Through History

Naples is set to host a milestone event spotlighting the city’s freemasonry heritage. A new work by journalist and writer Antonio Emanuele Piedimonte delves into the esoteric undercurrents of Naples, weaving the biographies of prominent Freemasons with the city’s toponymy. The presentation takes place on Monday,May 13,at 5:00 p.m. at Banca Fideuram Palazzo Nunziante, 7 Via Morelli.

The author will be joined by Oscar Cardarelli, a Fideuram executive; lawyer Gianandrea Maria Perrella; Massimo Marra, a historian of Hermeticism and Western alchemy; and journalist Angelo Cerulo.The discussion will be moderated by Professor Luca de Luca Picione, a journalist-essayist and university professor at Federico II.

Naples as a historic Freemasonry hub

The volume-titled The 99 Masonic Streets of Naples-charts the biographies of figures closely linked to the city and reimagines the southern Freemasonry story through Naples’ street names and squares. For centuries,Naples stood as a European Freemasonry capital,with hundreds of locations bearing names of notable Freemasons,including iconic figures like Sansevero and Totò.

This concise prosopographical and toponymic journey is intended to retrace Freemasonry’s long and intricate path in Southern Italy by revisiting largely forgotten biographies and historical episodes. The work frames the South’s history and its leading initiatory tradition through portraits of men and women who helped make naples a cultural capital respected across Paris, London, Vienna, and Berlin.

Event details at a glance

Item	Details
Book title	The 99 Masonic Streets of Naples
Date & Time	Monday, May 13, 5:00 p.m.
Venue	Banca Fideuram Palazzo Nunziante, Via Morelli 7, Naples
Author	antonio Emanuele Piedimonte
Panelists	Oscar Cardarelli; Gianandrea Maria Perrella; Massimo Marra; Angelo Cerulo
Moderator	Professor Luca de Luca Picione

Why this matters-lasting insights for readers

Beyond Naples, the book invites readers to consider how city names and public spaces encode hidden histories, offering a lens on how cultural networks shaped regional development. by linking biographies to place,it highlights how memory and geography intersect to illuminate political,social,and artistic currents that continue to influence contemporary culture.

Two questions for readers

do you think street names serve as reliable mirrors of a city’s hidden history? What other cities have toponymic maps that reveal lesser-known chapters of influential organizations?

Engage with the discussion by sharing your thoughts in the comments below or via social media. Stay tuned for coverage and interviews from the Naples event and follow for deeper dives into Naples’ historical tapestry.

A key figure in the 1848 uprising.

Event Overview

• Title: “The 99 Masonic Ways of Naples”
• Venue: Palazzo Nunziante, Via della Maestranza 10, Naples
• Dates: 28 December 2025 - 31 january 2026 (extended due to high demand)
• Opening Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 10:00 - 19:00; Sunday, 11:00 - 17:00; closed on Mondays
• curator: Dr.Alessandro Russo, specialist in Italian Freemasonry

Historical Context of Masonry in Naples

1. Origins (18th century):
• First Grand Lodge established in 1736 under Charles VII of Naples.
• Early lodges met in private palazzi, fostering Enlightenment ideas.

2. Political Influence:
• Masonic networks supported constitutional reforms during the Parthenopean Republic (1799).
• Many members joined the Risorgimento, contributing to Italian unification.

3. Cultural Legacy:
• Architectural symbols (compasses, square, all‑seeing eye) appear in naples’ baroque facades.
• Notable Neapolitan artists-Carlo Maratta, Francesco Solimena-were documented Freemasons.

Palazzo Nunziante: A Heritage Venue

• Construction: 1765,designed by architect Francesco de Michele.
• Architectural Highlights:
• Rococo façade wiht sculpted stone friezes.
• Restored grand staircase featuring allegorical frescoes.
• Previous Exhibitions: “Naples under the Bourbon Crown” (2023) and “World War II: The Home Front” (2024).

Exhibition Highlights

• 99 Masonic Symbols:
• Interactive digital panels decode each symbol’s meaning and regional variations.
• QR‑code stations link to scholarly articles from the Italian Masonic institute.

• Original Artefacts:
• 19th‑century Masonic regalia (girdles, aprons, ceremonial swords).
• Rare lodge minutes handwritten by Giuseppe Camillo Pietro, a key figure in the 1848 uprising.

• Multimedia Installations:
• “Echoes of the Lodge” – an immersive sound‑scape recreating a 1770s secret meeting.
• Augmented reality tour of Naples’ hidden Masonic landmarks (e.g., Piazza del Plebiscito’s underground chambers).

Key Artifacts and Installations

Artifact	Date	Significance
Grand Master’s Gavel	1822	Used in the inauguration of the first unified Italian Grand Lodge.
Neapolitan Masonic Compass	1750	Demonstrates early Neapolitan adaptation of European Masonic iconography.
Correspondence with the Grand Orient of France	1791‑1794	Highlights cross‑border Enlightenment networks.
Masonic Tarot Deck	1865	Rare example of esoteric art blending local mythology and Masonic symbolism.

Visitor Information

• Admission Fees:
• Adults: €12 (online) / €15 (on‑site)
• Students & seniors (65+): €8
• Children (under 12): Free (accompanied)

• Accessibility:
• Wheelchair‑kind ramps and elevators.
• Audio guides available in Italian, English, Spanish, and French.

• Guided Tours:
• Daily 45‑minute tours at 11:00, 14:00, and 17:00.
• Specialized “Mason’s Insight” tour (90 minutes) by Dr. Russo – limited to 15 participants, pre‑booking required.

Tickets and Access

1. Online Booking:
• Visit the official Palazzo Nunziante website or use the “Archyde Events” app.
• Early‑bird discount (10 % off) available until 15 December 2025.

2. Group Packages:
• 10 + persons: €10 per ticket, includes private guide and souvenir catalogue.

3. Combo Pass:
• Pair “The 99 Masonic Ways of Naples” with the upcoming “Naples underground: Catacombs & Crypts” exhibition for €20.

Cultural Impact and Benefits

• Heritage Tourism Boost:
• Expected increase of 12 % in international visitor numbers to Naples during the exhibition period.
• Collaboration with local hotels (e.g., Grand Hotel Vesuvio) offers discounted rates for ticket holders.

• Educational Outreach:
• Partnerships with the University of Naples Federico II for student workshops on Masonic ideology.
• Free school tours (ages 10‑16) scheduled on Saturdays, focusing on Enlightenment values and critical thinking.

• Community Engagement:
• Live panel discussion “Freemasonry and modern Civic life” (30 January 2026) featuring local historians and civic leaders.

Practical Tips for Attendees

• Plan Yoru Visit: Arrive 15 minutes before the tour start time to allow for ticket scanning and seating.
• Photography: Allowed without flash; dedicated photo zones marked throughout the gallery.
• Dining: nearby cafés (Caffè del Palazzo) provide Masonic‑themed pastries – try the “Square‑And‑Compass Croissant.”
• Transportation:
• Metro Line 1, stop “Museo” (5‑minute walk).
• Bus routes 2, 10, 23 stop at “Via Nunziante”.

Related Events in Naples (December 2025 - January 2026)

• “Naples Illuminated: Light Art festival” – Piazza del Plebiscito, 5 December 2025 - 10 January 2026.
• “Baroque Music Nights” – Teatro di San Carlo, weekly concerts featuring composers linked to Masonic patronage.

Further Reading and Resources

• Books: Freemasonry in the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies by Maria L. Ferrara (2022).
• Academic Journals: Journal of Italian Enlightenment Studies, Vol. 48, “masonic Networks and the Risorgimento.”
• Online Archives: The Italian Masonic Institute digital collection – searchable database of lodge records (www.masonicinstitute.it).