This shopping arcade is located close to the port area in the San Ferdinando district, across from…read moreTeatro di San Carlo and around the corner from Piazza del Plebiscito.
The building itself 5 stars easily, it's the smaller version probably by a third of Milan's Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, and was in fact modeled after its Milanese sibling. Milan's version completed in 1877, while Naples' broke ground 1887 and commenced construction in 1890. The monumental multi-level marble structure, colonnaded exterior and interior facade, mosaic tiled floor, glass arched ceiling and central dome are undeniably similar.
The difference lies in the use and maintenance. Milan's retailer windows are lined with name brands and luxury shoppers, Naples is more down to earth filled with a mixed variety of retailers and restaurants. The latter is often characterized as having a more relaxed, more gritty, integrated atmosphere with the surrounding neighborhood, while the former is more aspirational and polished, even in the building maintenance--peering along the glass dome at Vittorio Emanuele II every seam appears gleaming, Umberto appears to show more signs of water/rust runoff.
Meandering around the neighborhood, I'd recommend dropping by during the day, the interior is more impressive and inviting when the stores are open and sunlight flows into the building from above. On a Saturday evening it's a popular meet spot for locals, especially students headed for a night out in the Quartieri Spangoli (Spanish Quarter).
A handful of popular dessert spots, cafes and restaurants make their base here, including Mary's Sfogliatella which I purposefully came to try (more on that in separate review).
Unless you plan on eating or shopping here, probably need only 10 minutes to walk around and admire the architecture. I saw it as a short detour enroute to my final destination.
