Naples – The city of Naples, with its intricate maze of tunnels and cavities dug into the tuff, continues to surprise. Not only for its historical and archaeological beauties, but also for the improper uses that, at times, are hidden in its subsoil.
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It happened in the Sanità district, Stella neighborhood, where the Carabinieri of the local company discovered a cave transformed into an illegal dump and a hiding place for stolen vehicles.
The operation began during a wide-ranging control service in the neighborhood, a few steps from the Astronomical Observatory and the Bosco di Capodimonte.
The soldiers, passing through vico II Severo in Capodimonte, noticed a small iron door ajar, covered with old posters and spray-painted slogans. Curiosity pushed them to cross that threshold, revealing an unexpected scenario: a cave of inestimable historical value, reduced to an illegal warehouse.
Inside, the carabinieri found motorcycle carcasses, dozens of spare parts, waste materials and waste of all kinds. To complete the picture, two high-powered motorcycles, with a total value of about 50 thousand euros, which were found stolen and later returned to their rightful owners. The cave, however, was seized and placed under seal.
A violated historical heritage
The cave, located a few meters from the Basilica of San Severo, represents a piece of underground Naples, a labyrinth of tunnels, stairs and aqueducts that tell thousands of years of history. Places once used for civil and military purposes, today often abandoned or, as in this case, exploited for illicit activities.
The intervention of the Carabinieri was not limited to the cave. During the service, 60 people were identified, 30 of whom were already known to the police, and 20 vehicles were checked. 2 cars and 10 scooters were seized, with 27 fines for violations of the highway code, for a total of 43 thousand euros in fines.
The double face of underground Naples
The discovery puts the spotlight back on the delicate balance between protecting historical heritage and degradation. On the one hand, underground Naples is a treasure envied by the world, with its evocative routes and its thousand-year history. On the other, it risks becoming a refuge for illegal activities, as demonstrated by this cave transformed into a landfill and hideout.
I police have already started investigations to track down those responsible, while the cave, freed from debris, awaits to return to being part of the collective heritage. Another chapter in the history of Naples that never ceases to amaze, between wonders and contradictions.
Article published on March 9, 2025 - 10pm
