The term “struscio” used to be referred to the Holy Thursday walk, an old-age rite taking place in via Toledo. This custom was introduced by the Viceroy who, following a Spanish tradition, had prohibited the circulation of carriages and horses during the Easter holidays, obliging the believers to walk on foot. Due to the great number of people walking past via Toledo, especially on Holy Thursday, the walk was so slow that feet were shuffled along the way. This fact, together with the fabrics of the new clothes against each other, produced the characteristic sound of rubbing: the “struscio” was born.

With time, the walk became an occasion for young people to buy new holiday clothes, and then, little by little, it has simply taken the meaning of window-shopping. Nowadays, every occasion is good to enjoy the struscio of Partenope. And every walk starts from via Toledo. Or via Roma, if you prefer.

The street wanted by the Viceroy Pedro Álvarez de Toledo in 1536, alternates two names: via Toledo, like the founder, or via Roma, so called from 1870 to 1980 in honour of the new capital of the Reign of Italy. Genuine Neapolitans prefer to call it “via Toledo”.

This street, one of the principal routes of Naples, followed the old western Aragonese walls, in part demolished during the works wanted by don Pedro. Today, it goes from Piazza Dante to piazza Trieste e Trento, bordering monuments, churches and noble residences, like Galleria Umberto I, Palazzo Zevallos, Santa Maria delle Grazie Church, Palazzo Cavalcanti, Palazzo Doria d’Angri and Basilica of Spirito Santo.

Since the XVI century, via Toledo has represented the centre of Neapolitan culture, being one of the destinations of the “Grand Tour” travellers. In 2012 it has become known worldwide thanks to the homonymous underground station, considered the most beautiful of whole Europe.                        (translated by Claudia Romagnuolo)

L'articolo “Struscio”, the “resonant” walk imposed by the Viceroy proviene da Charme.

Via Chiaja, built following the bed of a river flowing at the foot of Mount Echia during Greek-Roman period, starts right in front of Palazzo Reale, next to Gran Caffè Gambrinus, renowned meeting point of artists, and ends in piazza dei Martiri.

Via Chiaja runs along authentic pieces of Neapolitan history: pizzeria Brandi, where, in June 1889, pizza Margherita was created in honour of the queen of the Savoy house, Sant’Orsola Church, Santa Caterina Church, Palazzo Cellammare, Teatro Sannazzaro, and the Chiaja Bridge, a Neo-Classic structure with marble decorations and a wide arc, built in 1636 to connect Pizzofalcone with Quartieri Spagnoli. This street offers endless shopping opportunities, like piazza dei Martiri. It can also be reached from via Calabritto or via Filangieri, immediately to the right of palazzo Cellammare.

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In via Calabritto have their shops the most exclusive fashion houses and jewellers of Naples. It is named after a monumental palace where, during the centuries, many illustrious people have lived, one for all Gioacchino Murat.

Via Filangieri, with via Vittoria Colonna and via dei Mille (so called in honour of Garibaldi’s expedition), is full of luxury shops, fashion boutiques, elegant and modern palaces.

Via dei Mille and via Filangieri were built between the end of ’800 and the beginning of ’900, together with several Liberty style buildings, like palazzo Mannajuolo and palazzo Leonetti, houses, respectively, of the British and Spanish consulates. There stands palazzo Carafa di Roccella, hosting the modern art museum Pan.

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From via dei Mille branches off via San Pasquale. Going higher, via dei Mille changes its name in via Vittoria Colonna, with the Church of Santa Teresa a Chiaja, famous for its panoramic stairs, and the palace where the playwright Edoardo Scarpetta lived. At the end of the street there are the majestic Piazza Amedeo and via del Parco Margherita, where the first Funicolare station was built.  (Translated by Claudia Romagnuolo)

L'articolo The “struscio” in Naples, between churches, palaces and showcases proviene da Charme.