(xi) INTRODUCTION. 1. General Topography.-2. Classical Topography.-3. Agriculture.— 4. Commerce and Manufactures.-5. Fine Arts: A. Ancient Architecture; B. Medieval and Modern Architecture; c. Sculpture; D. Painting.-6. Books on the Country.-7. Maps.-8. Chronological Tables. 1. GENERAL TOPOGRAPHY. The Southern portion of the Italian peninsula and of the present Italian kingdom formerly constituted the Neapolitan provinces or continental portion of the kingdom of the Two Sicilies, known as the Dominj di quà del Faro, bounded on the N.W. by the Papal States, on the N.E. by the Adriatic, on the S.E. by the Ionian, and on the W. by the Mediterranean seas. In ancient times the Tiber was the boundary between Upper and Lower Italy. The acquisitions of the Holy See in the middle ages changed the ancient landmarks, and transferred a portion of Southern Italy to the Popes. The frontier-line which till lately divided the provinces of Naples from the Papal States, with few trifling exceptions, was before the recent political changes the same as it was at the establishment of the monarchy by the Normans in 1130. It commenced on the Adriatic at the Tronto, and terminated on the Mediterranean, about 2 m. E. of Terracina. The length of this line of frontier, following its numerous windings, was about 210 m.; the direct distance not more than 115. The area included within these limits was estimated at about 31,595 English square miles. The length of the kingdom, measured along the curved line of the chain of the Apennines, from the Tronto to the Cape of Spartivento, was 350 m., the breadth varying considerably. From the mouth of the Garigliano in the Bay of Gaeta, to the mouth of the Trigno on the Adriatic, is 70 m., and about the same from Salerno to the mouth of the Carapelle; from Capo di Licosa to Bari 112 m., and to Brindisi 150; from the shore N. of Paola to S. of the mouth of the Crati it is 29 m., and only 16 between the Gulfs of Sant' Eufemia and of Squillace. The chain of the Apennines runs through the centre of the Neapolitan provinces. Their highest peaks are in the Abruzzi, where the Monte Corno, or Gran Sasso d'Italia, between Teramo and Aquila, is 10,154 English ft. above the sea, and Monte Amaro the highest peak of the Maiella group, 9130 ft.; in the province of the Terra di Lavoro, the Monte Miletto, the highest peak of the Matese, 6745; in Basilicata, Monte Dolcedorme, 6875; in Calabria, Monte Cocuzzo, 5620 ft., and Montalto, the culminating point of the Aspromonte, 4380 ft. The principal rivers are, on the W. coast, the Liris or Garigliano, the Volturno, and the Sele. On the Adriatic, the Tronto, Vomano, Pescara, Sangro, Trigno, Biferno, Fortore, and the Ofanto. On the Ionian sea, the Bradano, Basente, Agri, Sinno, and Crati. The inconsiderable amount of tide renders the mouths of these rivers useless as harbours, except for very small vessels. The principal harbours and roadsteads frequented by shipping are,on the W. coast, Gaeta, Baic, Naples, Castellamare, and the little Bay of Tropea; on the Ionian sea, Taranto, and Gallipoli; on the eastern coasts, Brindisi, greatly deteriorated by accumulations of sand and by years of neglect, but now so much improved as to render it the best harbour of the Italian kingdom on the Adriatic, Bari, Molfetta, Bisceglie, Trani, Barletta, Manfredonia, Termoli, Ortona, and Pescara; but most of the latter are only accessible to vessels drawing little water. There are few lakes. The largest are,-the Lago di Fucino or di Celano in the Abruzzi, now being gradually drained of its contents, the Lago di Fondi in Terra di Lavoro, the Lago di Lesina and Lago di Salpi in the Capitanata, and the small volcanic lakes of Agnano (also drained), Avernus, &c., near Naples. The principal islands are the Ponza group off the Bay of Gaeta; Ischia, Procida, and Capri in the Bay of Naples; the Isola di Dino in the Gulf of Policastro; and the islands of Tremiti in the Adriatic. This portion of the Peninsula is divided into 16 provinces, of which Basilicata and Capitanata are the largest, Abruzzo Citeriore and the Province of Naples the smallest. The annexed table shows the distribution of the population by provinces, when the last Census was taken, on the 1st Jan., 1873, with the chief towns of each, and the names of the districts (Circondarii) into which they are divided. PREFACE. THIS volume has been carefully revised up to the date of publication. It includes the Southern provinces of the United Kingdom of Italy, which once formed the continental portion of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies. Every effort has been made to render the account of the Museum of Naples as correct as possible according to the latest arrangement; and the Drives and Rides round the city, and the Excursions in the neighbourhood, have, it is hoped, been so arranged as so arranged as to enable the traveller to make the best use of the time at his disposal. The description of Pompeii is adapted to suit the convenience of the traveller arriving by train; and the new Railway routes through Calabria, for the account of which, in the seventh edition, the Editor was indebted to the kindness of Sir James Lacaita, have been further improved. Information of a practical and useful nature obtained on the spot will always be acceptable, and can be forwarded to the Editor, at the office of the Publisher, 50A, Albemarle-street. Some corrections and additions to the account of Naples, Sorrento, Pæstum, &c., rendered necessary by the lapse of time, have been made in this Edition. Since these were actually in type, the Railway from Naples to Pæstum (Terminus close to the Temples), has been opened. July, 1883. |