Did Naples come to be associated with death, as in "see Naples and die", because of a reputation for epidemics?

lanfranco

I actually giggled when I read this question. While it's true that Naples has had more than its fair share of epidemics over the centuries (Its patron saint, Gennaro, is one of those figures you pray to protect you from plague), the saying has a more benign meaning. It's been around a long time, attributed to both Virgil and Goethe, and it really suggests that once you've seen the wonders of Naples, you've seen everything. But it has often been used ironically, of course, Naples being the somewhat dangerous city that it is, and a few sites point out that "Naples" was once a euphemism for syphilis, starting in the late 15th century, because the disease was thought to have spread outward from that city, to which it was brought by sailors. http://www.gushmagazine.com/article/see-naples-and-die/ Feb 20 07, 10:31 AM

What-A-Mess

There is nothing of experience that rivals Naples, or so they say and therefore once having seen Naples in all its splendor one can die leaving nothing in life undone. Feb 20 07, 11:04 AM

bloomsby

Many thanks to you both. I'm tempted to visit Naples in my retirement, but I can't help wondering if I'll be signing my own death warrant, as it were. Feb 20 07, 1:18 PM

peasypod

Having been there many times, let me assure you the only way you'll sign your own death warrent is if you don't learn to 'look the other way'..... Mind you, if you travel a little further south, you'll find out that, Mafia-wise, Naples is a walk in the park. ;) Feb 20 07, 4:13 PM

lanfranco

Now, that is certainly true. And bloomsby, Naples has improved a great deal just within the last 20 years. You must go. The Bay area and the Capodimonte museum alone are worth the trip. (Well, at the museum, you do have to be willing to ignore a slight lack of attentive maintenance.) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Museo_di_Capodimonte Feb 20 07, 5:17 PM

bloomsby

Again, many thanks. In 2005 I visited Palermo and explored the Kalsa district on foot (despite dire warnings not to) and nothing untoward happened, so I think I'll risk it. :) I'm also very tempted by several other places in the Mezzogiorno ... Feb 20 07, 6:22 PM