In 2022, we went to Naples, Italy to visit National Archaeological Museum. Although, Naples is not the most picturesque, most rich or most charming city in Italy, it hold several things it’s global influence. It is the birthplace of pizza! The city has a long and rich history of pizza making, dating back to the 18th century. The National Archaeological Museum is one of the greatest museum in the world. After visiting the museum, I could not wait to eat the Neapolitan pizza.

We went to one famous pizza restaurant called Starita. Starita was established in 1901 inside a narrow ally. It is a neat dining place with unique decoration. The pictures on the well inside the restaurant tell the history.

The traditional Neapolitan pizza, also known as “pizza Napoletana,” is characterized by its soft and chewy crust. The dough is made with simple ingredients, including flour, water, salt, yeast, and a small amount of sugar. The pizza is typically topped with tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, and a few basil leaves. Other toppings such as anchovies, olives, and capers are also commonly used.

I ordered a tomato pizza, because tomato is my favorite food. I never had such delicious pizza in USA or other countries. As the result, I ate the whole pizza (about 8 inch width).

Italians drink wine or water with their meals. They think soda detracts from the flavor of foods. When I had seen Coca Cola and other soft drinks in the restaurants at Italy, I can’t help to think if this is for American tourists. Unfortunately I have some degrees of alcohol intolerance. Coca Cola is more friendly to me than wines.

Pizza making in Naples is not just a job, it is a craft and a tradition passed down from generation to generation. Many pizzaioli (pizza makers) in Naples have been trained by their fathers or grandfathers and have honed their skills over many years. They use a wood-fired oven to cook the pizza, which gives it its unique texture and flavor.

The pizza in Naples is also a cultural symbol. UNESCO declared the “Art of Neapolitan Pizza Making” as part of the intangible cultural heritage of humanity in 2017.