~ I Partenopei ~

A colloquial nickname given to Società Sportiva Calcio Napoli. A cultural institution. 

~ Espresso ~

The morning, noon and night beverage for Neapolitans. Coffee as it’s meant to be. A brief, but intense moment of pleasure.

~ Caffè Sospeso ~

A suspended coffee, where a cup of coffee is paid for in advance, as an act of charity. The tradition is reported to have started in Naples, where poorer citizens could ask for a caffè pagato and receive a coffee for which someone had already paid.

~ Pizzaiuoli ~

Or the art of pizza making. A trade so cherished in Naples (and around the world), it was awarded UNESCO heritage status in December 2017. A centuries-old practice, handed down from generation to generation. Simple, but effective, just as Neapolitans like it.

~ Statuette ~

Think the tack your aunty would bring you back from a holiday in the Canary Islands, but actually cool. Who wouldn’t want a two-inch terracotta figurine of their favourite Partenopei player? The latest edition flying off the shelf: Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.

~ Super Santos ~

British kids have Shoot Five-star flyaways, Neapolitans have a Super Santos. The crème de la crème of street footballs, Super Santos is the number-one staple for footy-heads in Naples, both young and old. Be that in the streets, on the beaches or at the parco, this durable orange beauty remains every Neapolitan’s trusty friend.

~ San Gennaro ~

Saint Januarius. The patron saint of Naples. A sample of what is said to be the saint’s blood is kept in a sealed vial in the Cattedrale di San Gennaro. In Italian-American communities, particularly in New York City, the Festa di San Gennaro is a big event on the calendar.

~ Diego Armando Maradona ~

Italy’s longest love story. Maradona arrived in Naples a hero and left a saint. El Diego.

~ Cornicello ~

Or little horn. A small pendant often worn on a necklace by those in Southern Italian to bring good luck and protect against the Malocchio.

~ Malocchio ~

Or Evil Eye. A 5,000-year-old supernatural symbol of Mediterranean culture, amongst others, depicting misfortune and adversity. Neapolitans see the Cornicello and Mano Cornuto as a way to ward off the Malocchio.

~ Mano Cornuto ~

A hand gesture made by extending the index finger and little finger. Mano Cornuto, or Sign of Horns, holds religious connotations as a way to fend off the Malocchio.

~ Pulcinella ~

A character that emerged during the commedia dell’arte theatre of the 17th century. A short, pot-bellied and skulking character, often deployed as a servant member of the Neapolitan underclass. Later popularised in early forms of Neapolitan puppetry.

~ Stadio San Paolo ~

The traditional name given to the 60-year-old home of S.S.C. Napoli.  A holy shrine of Neapolitan football culture, which now goes by the name of Stadio Diego Armando Maradona in honour of El Diego.

~ Ultras ~

A term given to a particularly vocal – both on and off the pitch – section of supporters. The influence of certain Italian Ultras often stretches into the day-to-day operation of a football club, including, but not limited to, ticket sales, stadium admission and choreos. Napoli have a number of Ultras groups, including Ultras Napoli, Mastiffs, Brigata Carolina, Teste Matte, Sud1996, Nuova Guardia and Vecchi Lions.

~ Choreos ~

A pre-match display usually organised by a club’s Ultras. Choreos will typically consist of an unsavoury message towards the opposition players or rival fanbases.

~ Curva ~

The name used to describe the section of a stadium behind either goal, derived from the traditional curved nature of Italian football grounds. Often the most hardcore supporters, or Ultras, can be found in either the Curva Nord or Sud.

~ Aurelio De Laurentiis ~

The charismatic current owner and president of S.S.C. Napoli. De Laurentiis made his name as a film producer, before buying Napoli in 2004, after the club were relegated to Serie C – the third tier of Italian football.

~ Numero Dieci ~

Number ten. The shirt number retired by Napoli in 2000 to commemorate Diego Maradona – top scorer during Napoli’s historic 1986/1987 and 1989/90 Scudetto-winning campaigns. Napoli were forced to bring the shirt number out of retirement between 2004 and 2006, as per Serie C rules.

~ Scudetto ~

A patch depicting the tricolour of Italy, traditionally worn by the club that won the championship the season before. Scudetto patches have been worn by the champions of Italy’s premier football competition since being approved by the Italian Football Federation in 1928. Soon to be woven into every Napoli shirt.

By Amos Murphy