Portici

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Portici is a town and comune of the Province of Naples in the Campania region of southern Italy. It is the site of a palace of the kings of Naples.

Geography

Portici lies at the foot of Mount Vesuvius on the Bay of Naples, about 8 km (5 miles) southeast of Naples itself. There is a small port. To the south east is Ercolano, formerly Resina, which occupies the site of ancient Herculaneum. San Giorgio a Cremano is another town nearby.

History

The city was completely destroyed by the eruption of Vesuvius in 1631, but was rebuilt. Charles III of Spain, King of Naples and Sicily, built a royal palace in the town between 1738-1748. After Garibaldi defeated the Bourbons in 1860, the palace was turned into the Portici botanic gardens and the Royal Higher School of Agriculture. It once contained the antiquities from Herculaneum, which have since been moved to Naples.

Economy

The inhabitants are engaged in fishing, silk-growing and silk-weaving.

Demographics

As of the Italian census of 2001, the city had a population of 60,218 inhabitants. The city's land area is 4.52 km²; with a population density of 13,322.57 / km², Portici is the most densely populated comune in Italy.

Notes and references

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Last updated on Thursday March 06, 2008 at 06:09:39 PST (GMT -0800)
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