Galleria Borbonica

About

The Bourbon Tunnel, also known as Galleria Borbonica, is a 19th‑century underground passage that once served as a royal escape route beneath the hills of Naples. Built in 1853 by engineer Errico Alvino, the tunnel linked the Royal Palace to the military barracks in Via Morelli and extended toward the city’s center, cutting through the hill of Pizzofalcone. During the Second World War it became a shelter, and today it is open for guided tours that reveal its original military purpose, its abandoned fascist monument, and the maze of hidden tunnels and aqueducts that interconnect with the city’s ancient waterworks. Visitors can walk the original staircases, explore the low‑ceiling corridors, and learn how the tunnel has transitioned from a strategic military asset to a fascinating cultural attraction beneath Naples’s streets.

At a glance

• Typical visit: about 1 hour 30 minutes