How did you get into archaeology and what has been a highlight of your career?

The first movie I went to see with my father was Jurassic Park, and since then I said, “I will dig up dinosaurs!” Then I realized that we don’t have enough dinosaurs here in Naples, so I moved into archaeology. Just after I completed my PhD in 2020-21, I was in charge of an archaeological dig at the modern city of Pompei and I found the roof of a Roman villa, which hadn’t been discovered since the eruption of 79 AD.

Can you tell us more about your other passions?

I love wine and food. I used to make wine with my grandpa and dad in my little field at the foot of Mount Vesuvius, and I love Aglianico red wine or white Lacryma Christi.

What was it like growing up in Naples?

Growing up in Naples was the best thing that destiny could have offered to my life. Naples is a city of contrasts: it’s hectic and crazy, charming and beautiful at the same time. It’s a whole world and a state of mind.

What excites you most about the city today?

It’s a universe of colors and what I love most about my city is the incredible vibe and energy that you can feel on every corner. For me it’s just perfect; you can find very modern architecture with high tech infrastructure next to a fascinating old building from the Renaissance built above Roman and Greek ruins. Naples is a city where local artisans and little family shops are still alive.

What makes you happiest about being a guide?

I love to show my guests the beauty and hidden history of my city and to give them a feeling of its real vibe. Filled with highlights, my tour is designed to have the perfect mix of the city’s main landmarks and treasures hidden in plain sight that only the locals know about. Through this, I make sure my guests will have fun enjoying a unique and local perspective of Naples.

Do you have any favorite spots along your tour?

There are two really off-the-radar things. Firstly, a little church where some of my friends, during its underground excavations, found a skull with ears. Secondly, my favorite church: a Gothic medieval building where my professor did an archaeological excavation in the 90s and found the remains of another city below the floor. Both are quite hidden and I love to share them with my guests.

What’s something about Naples that most people won’t know?

People don’t know that Napoli is the oldest western world city and we literally live on layers of archaeological life.