Neapolitan facts for kids

"Neapolitan" is a word that means "from the city of Naples in Italy". It's like saying someone is "American" if they're from America, or "French" if they're from France. Naples is a famous city in southern Italy, known for its history, art, and delicious food!

What Does "Neapolitan" Mean?

The word "Neapolitan" is an adjective, which means it describes something. It tells us that something or someone is connected to Naples, a large and historic city located on the beautiful Bay of Naples in southern Italy.

People from Naples

When you hear someone say "Neapolitan," they might be talking about a person who lives in Naples or was born there. Just like someone from London is a "Londoner," a person from Naples is often called a Neapolitan.

Neapolitan Language

Did you know that in some parts of Italy, people speak different languages or dialects? The Neapolitan language is a special language that was traditionally spoken in Naples and the surrounding areas, which used to be part of the "Kingdom of Two Sicilies." While Italian is the main language in Italy today, many people still speak Neapolitan in their daily lives, especially older generations. It's a rich language with its own unique sounds and words.

Neapolitan Ice Cream

One of the most famous things called "Neapolitan" is a delicious dessert: Neapolitan ice cream! This popular ice cream is a mix of three classic flavors: chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry. They are placed side-by-side in the same container, creating a colorful and tasty treat. It's believed that this combination became popular because it represented the colors of the Italian flag (though not exactly, as the flag is green, white, and red).

Neapolitan Mastiff

If you love dogs, you might know about the Neapolitan Mastiff. This is a very large and powerful breed of dog that originally came from Naples. They are known for their loose skin, wrinkled faces, and calm, protective nature. Neapolitan Mastiffs were historically used as guard dogs because of their impressive size and loyalty.

Neapolitan Sauce

In Italian cooking, "Neapolitan sauce" is a kind of sauce that is made mainly from tomatoes. It's a simple yet flavorful sauce often used with pasta. While many Italian sauces use tomatoes, a Neapolitan sauce usually refers to a basic, fresh tomato sauce, sometimes with garlic, basil, and olive oil. It's a staple in many Italian kitchens!

Neapolitan Piastra

Long ago, before Italy became one country, different regions had their own money. The Neapolitan piastra was an old currency (money) that was used in southern Italy, especially in the Kingdom of Two Sicilies, which included Naples. It was used for many years before Italy adopted the lira, and later the euro, as its national currency.