Secondigliano lies between San Pietro a Patierno and Scampia. It borders to the northwest with the suburb of Scampia (Traversa Roma verso Scampia, via Roma verso Scampia, via Miano), to the west with the suburb of Miano (via comunale Acquarola, Corso Secondigliano, via Abate Gioacchino, via Monte Grappa, via del Sabotino, Cupa detta S.Cesarea, Cupa Capodichino, via Vicinale Vallone di Miano), to the south with the suburbs of San Carlo all'Arena (via comunale Vecchia di Miano, Piazza Di Vittorio) and San Pietro a Patierno (Piazza Di Vittorio, via Francesco De Pinedo, via provinciale di Caserta), to the north with the comune of Arzano, and to the northeast with the comune of Casavatore.
History
The name derives from a contraction of "secondo" (second) and "miglio" (mile) since the area was at the second milestone on the ancient road to Capua. Alternatively, the name may derive from the Roman family name "Secondili."[1] The area was a feudal holding in the Middle Ages and was not part of the city of Naples until the Fascist period.[2][3]
Formerly a Casale (farmhouse) of Naples, it was an autonomous municipality (including Scampia) from March 17, 1861, to July 3, 1926, before being merged with the municipality of Naples, becoming its fifteenth district during Mussolini's fascist dictatorship in 1926.[2][3]
The neighborhood is described in the Dizionario geografico-ragionato del Regno di Napoli (Geographical Dictionary of the Kingdom of Naples) as follows:[4]
Royal farmhouse of the city of Naples, approximately 3 miles away, located in a plain with good air, but very humid at sunset. The oldest record we have of this farmhouse dates back to October 19 of the 7th century, under Emperor Alexios, mentioned in our city’s documents, which include the lease of a plot in the 'Secundillani' villa. In two other diplomas from the era of Charles II, it is called 'Secundillyanum,' but it is not listed among the farmhouses of our city under Emperor Frederick II. Its territory covers 2800 moggia and is very fertile; in fact, it is known for fruit production. Its main church, dedicated to Saints Cosmas and Damian, has a robust but unfinished bell tower. Its population numbers around 6000, most of whom are engaged in agriculture, and among them are those who live beyond 100 years.
The first significant development of the Casale of Secondigliano, until then isolated by dense vegetation, occurred with the opening of the Capodichino way (1582-86), which was the main entrance to Naples at the time. This facilitated communication and trade with the city and the plain to its north.[5] Nonetheless, the first settlement formed around the 8th century near the Church of Saints Cosmas and Damian, which was built during the same period and almost entirely rebuilt in 1695, near the present-day Piazza Luigi di Nocera, aptly nicknamed "Piazza del Casale."[6][7]
During the 19th century and the early 20th century, the municipality of Secondigliano experienced significant demographic and economic growth. The presence of numerous factories, coinciding with the advent of new steam machines for fabric processing, not only generated greater employment but also significantly shaped the architectural landscape. The economic fervor, primarily due to industrial activities such as cotton mills, pasta factories, and various other establishments, led to notable urban expansion along the street formerly known as Corso Napoli, later renamed Corso Umberto I, and today called Corso Secondigliano. Among the major industries in Secondigliano were the Improta and Barbato pasta factories, the cheese company of the Baroni Carbonelli di Letino, whose "Carbonelli IGP" provolone is still produced and marketed by the Zanetti company, and the cotton mills owned by the Nocera family. The latter also established one of the first people's banks in Italy in 1883, headquartered in Secondigliano, to combat usury and further boost the city's economy.[8][9]
Corso Secondigliano in the early 20th century.
The influx of nobles, local bourgeoisie, landowners, merchants, and intellectuals, along with a segment of the Neapolitan bourgeoisie that left the city center for the suburbs, was thus crucial in promoting a sober and elegant neoclassical and neo-Renaissance architecture. This architectural style was accompanied by sumptuous gardens adorned with plants, statues, and fountains.[10]
Secondigliano is relatively modern in design; most of its buildings were constructed during the 1970s and 1980s, following the first major urbanization efforts in the neighborhood that began in the 1950s. The design of the neighborhood also involved the organic architect Piero Maria Lugli. The area has been the focus of studies and analysis because of the initial difficulties of settlement of a part of the population moved from the Historic Centre of Naples, a World Heritage Site.[11]
Palazzo dei Baroni Carbonelli di Letino, Secondigliano, Naples.
The Secondigliano neighborhood is served by the Tangenziale di Napoli via the exit of the same name. The main thoroughfare of the neighborhood is Corso Secondigliano (formerly part of SS 7 bis), which connects Piazza Giuseppe Di Vittorio with the hinterland. Between 1882 and 1959, this artery hosted the tracks of the Naples-Aversa/Giugliano tramway, managed by the Société Anonyme des Tramways Provinciaux (SATP). Additionally, the area was served by a terminal for the so-called Capodimonte trams from 1907 to 1960, and by the Secondigliano station of the lower Alifana railway from 1913 to 1976.[13]
Public transportation is provided by ANM for urban, suburban, and interurban connections. As of 2024, the Secondigliano, Regina Margherita, and Di Vittorio stations of Naples Metro Line 1 are under construction, which will serve Corso Secondigliano, Piazza Di Vittorio (better known as Piazza Capodichino), and the Naples International Airport.
^Andriello, Barbareschi, Virgili et al. "Trasformazioni urbane e domanda di integrazione spaziale: il caso della 167 di Secondigliano", LAN, Napoli, 1986
