What to see · Pomigliano d'Arco

More places of interest

• Parco Giovanni Paolo II

  The Papa Giovanni Paolo II public park is the large park of Pomigliano d'Arco: at about 67 thousand square metres it is among the largest in southern Italy. For a long time the area was a basin collecting rainwater running down from the hills of Monte Somma, which helped prevent flooding; later it became a rubbish dump, and even held a rugby pitch. After about four years of work it was turned into a public park.

  What to see

  Inside the park are lawns, benches, themed gardens, fitness trails and a children's playground. A large stage hosts events: Lucio Dalla, Pino Daniele, Max Gazzè, Samuele Bersani and Noa have played here, and it is the venue of the Pomigliano Jazz Festival.

  In 2005 the park was named after Pope John Paul II.

  Visiting

  The park is in the centre of the town and is also easy to reach from the motorway and trunk-road junctions, so much so that people from neighbouring towns use it too. Opening hours and the events calendar should be checked with the town council.

  Our editors' tip

  In 2003, two years before it was named after the pope, the park entered the European Archive of Urban Public Space.

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