Submitted by Konstance Otto on the 2024 Winter CGSC/LING program in Italy…
Lying beneath the city of Naples is a former aqueduct network first dug out by ancient
Greeks and utilized by the Roman Empire. These underground caverns have had roughly three
purposes throughout their existence. Greeks started mining the material under Naples for
building purposes. The city lies on top of tuff, a rock made from solidified volcanic ash. The
material was soft and easy to quarry by and made for lightweight building material to ensure
structures were not too heavy.
After this extensive mining operation concluded, the space could be a source of fresh
water for the city, so it became the longest aqueduct in the Roman Empire. All along the roofs of
the caverns are holes drilled up to the surface to provide the people with access to this water.
The rich families had private access in their homes, which gave the aqueduct cleaners entry
points to these homes. These cleaners would have been stout to fit into the caves and wore
long robes like a monk’s. They would enter these rich homes and steal or play pranks by moving
things around. This phenomenon spawned the Neapolitan legend of munaciello (meaning “little
monk”). People believe the spirit of this cleaner stayed around after the aqueduct was disused
and continues to mess around in people’s homes, and it is not uncommon for missing or
misplaced items to be blamed on the spirit.
Eventually, the aqueduct was abandoned and used as a dumping site for construction
waste. Then WWII started, and frequent bombings along with it. Naples became the most
bombed Italian city during this time, and the people needed shelter. These caverns were an
obvious choice, but there was no time to clean the accumulated trash. Instead, concrete was
poured over the waste to create a new floor and provide a place to shield citizens from the
bombs. Engravings are still visible along the walls from the cave’s time as a bomb shelter:
pleadings such as “Help me” and “Don’t cry mama.”
The tour of this abandoned aqueduct provided an interesting and unique look into
several eras of Naples’ history. (Submitted on January 21, 2024)
