{"id":361361,"date":"2026-11-08T23:27:58","date_gmt":"2026-11-08T22:27:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/italien.news\/?p=361361"},"modified":"2026-11-08T23:27:58","modified_gmt":"2026-11-08T22:27:58","slug":"parthenope-naples-siren","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/italien.news\/en\/travel\/kampanien\/neapel\/parthenope-neapel\/","title":{"rendered":"Parthenope: the siren in Naples' founding myth"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_89 ez-toc-wrap-center counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-white ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title ez-toc-toggle\" style=\"cursor:pointer\">Table of contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseprofile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 eztoc-toggle-hide-by-default' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/italien.news\/en\/travel\/kampanien\/neapel\/parthenope-neapel\/#Was_Homer_uber_die_Sirenen_erzahlt\" >What Homer tells us about the sirens<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/italien.news\/en\/travel\/kampanien\/neapel\/parthenope-neapel\/#Wie_Parthenope_nach_Neapel_gelangte\" >How Parthenope reached Naples<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/italien.news\/en\/travel\/kampanien\/neapel\/parthenope-neapel\/#Parthenope_Palaepolis_und_Neapolis_Drei_Namen_in_der_Stadtgeschichte\" >Parthenope, Palaepolis and Neapolis: three names in the city's history<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/italien.news\/en\/travel\/kampanien\/neapel\/parthenope-neapel\/#Drei_Stationen_auf_den_Spuren_der_Sirene\" >Three stops following the siren<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/italien.news\/en\/travel\/kampanien\/neapel\/parthenope-neapel\/#Warum_der_Name_Partenope_geblieben_ist\" >Why the name Partenope remains<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/italien.news\/en\/travel\/kampanien\/neapel\/parthenope-neapel\/#Karte_%E2%80%93_Castel_dellOvo_und_Megaride_in_Neapel\" >Map \u2013 Castel dell\u2019Ovo and Megaride in Naples<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<div class=\"wpb-content-wrapper\" id=\"wpb-content-root\"><div class=\"row vc_row wpb_row vc_row-fluid inw-mag\"><div class=\"jeg-vc-wrapper\"><div class=\"wpb_column jeg_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-12\"><div class=\"jeg_wrapper wpb_wrapper\">\n\t<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<p>Naples \u2013 A short causeway leads from the seafront to the small island where Castel dell\u2019Ovo stands. Here, according to a story told in Naples, the body of the siren <strong>Parthenope<\/strong> washed ashore. She gave her name to an early Greek settlement and remains a symbol of the city today.<\/p>\n<p>The familiar story brings together several ancient and later traditions. Homer leaves the siren unnamed. Only later texts connect Parthenope with the place from which Naples emerged. Knowing the differences reveals more around the bay than an appealing founding legend.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"row vc_row wpb_row vc_row-fluid inw-mag\"><div class=\"jeg-vc-wrapper\"><div class=\"wpb_column jeg_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-12\"><div class=\"jeg_wrapper wpb_wrapper\">\n\t<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"inw-card\" style=\"border:1px solid #E3E9DF;border-radius:2px;padding:30px 32px;background:linear-gradient(150deg,#F5F8F3 0%,#FCFDFB 55%,#FFFFFF 100%);color:#2B3138;line-height:1.7\">\n<div class=\"inw-kicker\" style=\"display:block;color:#5F7355;font-size:11px;font-weight:600;letter-spacing:.2em;text-transform:uppercase;margin:0 0 12px\">At a glance<\/div>\n<h3 class=\"inw-h\">Parthenope at a glance<\/h3>\n<hr class=\"inw-hr\" style=\"width:34px;height:2px;border:0;background:#5F7355;margin:0 0 20px\">\n<p>Parthenope is the Greek name; Partenope is the common Italian form. The name refers to a siren and, in tradition, to the early Greek settlement near Naples.<\/p>\n<div class=\"inw-tiles\" style=\"display:grid;grid-template-columns:repeat(auto-fit,minmax(145px,1fr));gap:1px;background:#E3E7EC;border:1px solid #E3E7EC;margin:22px 0 0\">\n<div class=\"inw-tile\" style=\"display:flex;flex-direction:column;align-items:center;justify-content:center;gap:5px;background:#FFF;padding:20px 16px 18px;text-align:center\"><span class=\"inw-tile-label\" style=\"color:#6B747E;font-size:10.5px;letter-spacing:.16em;text-transform:uppercase\">Ancient source for the encounter with the sirens<\/span><span class=\"inw-tile-value\" style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;color:#16263F;font-size:22px\">Homer's Odyssey<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"inw-tile\" style=\"display:flex;flex-direction:column;align-items:center;justify-content:center;gap:5px;background:#FFF;padding:20px 16px 18px;text-align:center\"><span class=\"inw-tile-label\" style=\"color:#6B747E;font-size:10.5px;letter-spacing:.16em;text-transform:uppercase\">Later source on Parthenope<\/span><span class=\"inw-tile-value\" style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;color:#16263F;font-size:22px\">Lycophron<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"inw-tile\" style=\"display:flex;flex-direction:column;align-items:center;justify-content:center;gap:5px;background:#FFF;padding:20px 16px 18px;text-align:center\"><span class=\"inw-tile-label\" style=\"color:#6B747E;font-size:10.5px;letter-spacing:.16em;text-transform:uppercase\">Setting of the local legend<\/span><span class=\"inw-tile-value\" style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;color:#16263F;font-size:22px\">Megaride<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"inw-tile\" style=\"display:flex;flex-direction:column;align-items:center;justify-content:center;gap:5px;background:#FFF;padding:20px 16px 18px;text-align:center\"><span class=\"inw-tile-label\" style=\"color:#6B747E;font-size:10.5px;letter-spacing:.16em;text-transform:uppercase\">Siren Fountain<\/span><span class=\"inw-tile-value\" style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;color:#16263F;font-size:22px\">Piazza Sannazaro<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"inw-source\" style=\"font-size:10px;line-height:1.5;color:#6B747E;border-top:1px solid #E3E7EC;padding-top:14px;margin:20px 0 0\">As of November 2026 \u00b7 Sources and further information at the end of the article.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"row vc_row wpb_row vc_row-fluid inw-mag\"><div class=\"jeg-vc-wrapper\"><div class=\"wpb_column jeg_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-12\"><div class=\"jeg_wrapper wpb_wrapper\">\n\t<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"inw-h inw-mag-h2\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Was_Homer_uber_die_Sirenen_erzahlt\"><\/span>What Homer tells us about the sirens<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>In the twelfth book of the <em>Odyssey<\/em> Circe warns Odysseus, on his way home, about the sirens. Their song attracts sailors so irresistibly that they abandon their voyage. Odysseus has his companions plug their ears with wax. He wants to hear the song himself and has them tie him to the mast. The crew keeps rowing even when he demands to be untied.<\/p>\n<p>The scene explains how the hero survives the encounter. Homer does not name the individual sirens in this episode. If you look in the Odyssey for a siren called Parthenope or for the founding of Naples, you will find both only in other traditions. Later stories connect the familiar figures with specific coasts and cities.<\/p>\n<p>Their appearance changed as well. In many ancient depictions, sirens have a woman's head or upper body and a bird's body. The familiar fish tail belongs to later visual traditions. In Naples, you can see both ideas at different fountains.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div data-vc-full-width=\"true\" data-vc-full-width-init=\"false\" data-vc-stretch-content=\"true\" class=\"row vc_row wpb_row vc_row-fluid inw-mag inw-mag-photo inw-mag-bleed vc_row-no-padding\"><div class=\"jeg-vc-wrapper\"><div class=\"wpb_column jeg_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-12\"><div class=\"jeg_wrapper wpb_wrapper\">\n\t<div  class=\"wpb_single_image wpb_content_element vc_align_right wpb_content_element\">\n\t\t\n\t\t<figure class=\"wpb_wrapper vc_figure\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"vc_single_image-wrapper\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" src=\"https:\/\/italien.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/golf-von-neapel-vesuv-vom-meer-pexels-18792497.jpg\" class=\"vc_single_image-img attachment-full\" alt=\"A view across the deep-blue sea toward Mount Vesuvius, with a small plume of smoke, and the distant coastline of the Gulf of Naples\" title=\"Bay of Naples \u2013 Vesuvius seen from the open sea\" srcset=\"https:\/\/italien.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/golf-von-neapel-vesuv-vom-meer-pexels-18792497.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/italien.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/golf-von-neapel-vesuv-vom-meer-pexels-18792497-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/italien.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/golf-von-neapel-vesuv-vom-meer-pexels-18792497-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/italien.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/golf-von-neapel-vesuv-vom-meer-pexels-18792497-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/italien.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/golf-von-neapel-vesuv-vom-meer-pexels-18792497-18x12.jpg 18w, https:\/\/italien.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/golf-von-neapel-vesuv-vom-meer-pexels-18792497-750x500.jpg 750w, https:\/\/italien.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/golf-von-neapel-vesuv-vom-meer-pexels-18792497-1140x760.jpg 1140w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \/><\/div><figcaption class=\"vc_figure-caption\">Vesuvius and the coast of the Bay of Naples seen from the open sea \u00b7 \u00a9 pexels.com<\/figcaption>\n\t\t<\/figure>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"vc_row-full-width vc_clearfix\"><\/div><div class=\"row vc_row wpb_row vc_row-fluid inw-mag\"><div class=\"jeg-vc-wrapper\"><div class=\"wpb_column jeg_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-12\"><div class=\"jeg_wrapper wpb_wrapper\">\n\t<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"inw-h inw-mag-h2\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Wie_Parthenope_nach_Neapel_gelangte\"><\/span>How Parthenope reached Naples<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>In the poem <em>Alexandra<\/em> Lycophron tells how the sirens threw themselves into the sea after their encounter with Odysseus. The current carried Parthenope to the coast. People built a tomb and honoured her regularly. Strabo later mentions a tomb and a contest in her honour in Neapolis. Such texts show that the siren could be understood as a local guardian or cult figure in the ancient city.<\/p>\n<p>Local tradition in Naples places the event at <span class=\"notranslate\">Megaride<\/span>, the small island off the coast. You cannot identify the tomb itself on a walk. But the story helps explain the connection between harbour, arrival and the founding of a city. On the bay, the sea was part of everyday life and of people's ideas about where their community began.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"row vc_row wpb_row vc_row-fluid inw-mag\"><div class=\"jeg-vc-wrapper\"><div class=\"wpb_column jeg_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-12\"><div class=\"jeg_wrapper wpb_wrapper\">\n\t<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"inw-h inw-mag-h2\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Parthenope_Palaepolis_und_Neapolis_Drei_Namen_in_der_Stadtgeschichte\"><\/span>Parthenope, Palaepolis and Neapolis: three names in the city's history<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The earlier Greek settlement stood in the area of <span class=\"notranslate\">Pizzofalcone<\/span> and the coastal strip by Megaride. As a new city developed farther east, the older settlement became known as <em>Palaepolis<\/em> connected. <em>Neapolis<\/em> means 'new city' in Greek. The modern name Napoli developed from it.<\/p>\n<p>Ancient writers and later accounts differ on the settlement's origins and dates. It is therefore better to see the city's history as a development in several stages. Pizzofalcone and Megaride mark the older coastal area. The later Neapolis stood where the historic old town is today. Visiting both places also reveals the spatial difference between a rocky hill by the sea and the street grid of the city centre.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"row vc_row wpb_row vc_row-fluid inw-mag inw-mag-photo\"><div class=\"jeg-vc-wrapper\"><div class=\"wpb_column jeg_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-12\"><div class=\"jeg_wrapper wpb_wrapper\">\n\t<div  class=\"wpb_single_image wpb_content_element vc_align_right wpb_content_element\">\n\t\t\n\t\t<figure class=\"wpb_wrapper vc_figure\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"vc_single_image-wrapper\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" src=\"https:\/\/italien.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Castel-dellOvo-Neapel-Kampanien-Italien-Foto-\u00a9-Italien.expert-by-Canva.com-2.jpg\" class=\"vc_single_image-img attachment-full\" alt=\"Castel dell&#039;Ovo in the Gulf of Naples, with the city and Mount Vesuvius in the background\" title=\"Castello dell&#039;Ovo, Naples, Italy (credits canvapro)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/italien.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Castel-dellOvo-Neapel-Kampanien-Italien-Foto-\u00a9-Italien.expert-by-Canva.com-2.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/italien.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Castel-dellOvo-Neapel-Kampanien-Italien-Foto-\u00a9-Italien.expert-by-Canva.com-2-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/italien.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Castel-dellOvo-Neapel-Kampanien-Italien-Foto-\u00a9-Italien.expert-by-Canva.com-2-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/italien.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Castel-dellOvo-Neapel-Kampanien-Italien-Foto-\u00a9-Italien.expert-by-Canva.com-2-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/italien.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Castel-dellOvo-Neapel-Kampanien-Italien-Foto-\u00a9-Italien.expert-by-Canva.com-2-18x10.jpg 18w, https:\/\/italien.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Castel-dellOvo-Neapel-Kampanien-Italien-Foto-\u00a9-Italien.expert-by-Canva.com-2-750x422.jpg 750w, https:\/\/italien.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Castel-dellOvo-Neapel-Kampanien-Italien-Foto-\u00a9-Italien.expert-by-Canva.com-2-1140x641.jpg 1140w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \/><\/div><figcaption class=\"vc_figure-caption\">Castello dell'Ovo, Naples, Italy (credits canvapro)<\/figcaption>\n\t\t<\/figure>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"row vc_row wpb_row vc_row-fluid inw-mag\"><div class=\"jeg-vc-wrapper\"><div class=\"inw-mag-service wpb_column jeg_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-12\"><div class=\"jeg_wrapper wpb_wrapper\">\n\t<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"inw-h inw-mag-h2\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Drei_Stationen_auf_den_Spuren_der_Sirene\"><\/span>Three stops following the siren<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Start at <span class=\"notranslate\">Lungomare<\/span> and walk to the causeway in front of <span class=\"notranslate\">Castel dell'Ovo<\/span>. From the shore, you can see how Megaride and Pizzofalcone relate to each other. You do not need to enter the castle for this first stop. Check current access to the interior separately if you want to go inside.<\/p>\n<p>The <span class=\"notranslate\">Fontana della Sirena<\/span> stands on Piazza Sannazaro in Mergellina. Onofrio Buccini's figure holds a lyre. The fountain originally stood by the old railway station. Today it is closer to the sea and to the place where local legend locates Parthenope's arrival.<\/p>\n<p>You can see another siren in the historic centre at the <span class=\"notranslate\">Fontana di Spinacorona<\/span> near Via Guacci Nobile. She has wings and, in a common interpretation, extinguishes the flames of Vesuvius. The city also offers a political reading. Comparing the two is worthwhile. In Mergellina, the figure occupies a large square; in the centre, you discover her on a wall along a narrow street.<\/p>\n<div class=\"inw-table-wrap\" style=\"overflow-x:auto\">\n<table class=\"inw-table\" style=\"width:100%;border-collapse:collapse;text-align:left\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th scope=\"col\" style=\"background:#F5F8F3;padding:12px\">Station<\/th>\n<th scope=\"col\" style=\"background:#F5F8F3;padding:12px\">What to look for<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<th scope=\"row\" style=\"padding:12px;border-bottom:1px solid #E3E7EC\">Megaride and Castel dell\u2019Ovo<\/th>\n<td style=\"padding:12px;border-bottom:1px solid #E3E7EC\">Island, harbour setting and view towards Pizzofalcone.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th scope=\"row\" style=\"padding:12px;border-bottom:1px solid #E3E7EC\">Piazza Sannazaro<\/th>\n<td style=\"padding:12px;border-bottom:1px solid #E3E7EC\">Siren Fountain with a lyre in Mergellina.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th scope=\"row\" style=\"padding:12px;border-bottom:1px solid #E3E7EC\">Fontana di Spinacorona<\/th>\n<td style=\"padding:12px;border-bottom:1px solid #E3E7EC\">Winged siren and depiction of Vesuvius.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"row vc_row wpb_row vc_row-fluid inw-mag\"><div class=\"jeg-vc-wrapper\"><div class=\"wpb_column jeg_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-12\"><div class=\"jeg_wrapper wpb_wrapper\">\n\t<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"inw-h inw-mag-h2\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Warum_der_Name_Partenope_geblieben_ist\"><\/span>Why the name Partenope remains<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><em>Partenopeo<\/em> is used in Italian to describe something Neapolitan. The name also lives on in art, place names and institutions. After seeing the two fountains and the waterfront, you can better appreciate how the city has retold the same myth at different times.<\/p>\n<p>For a full day, you can combine the walk with <a href=\"https:\/\/italien.news\/en\/travel\/campania\/naples\/naples-sightseeing\/\">Sights in Naples<\/a> . For another example of how local beliefs are passed on, see our article about the <a href=\"https:\/\/italien.news\/en\/travel\/campania\/naples\/cornicello-bringer-of-happiness\/\">cornicello as a lucky charm<\/a>. If you want to explore more of the Greek-influenced coast, our guide to <a href=\"https:\/\/italien.news\/en\/travel\/campania\/naples\/sorrento-attractions\/\">Sorrento on the Bay of Naples<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"row vc_row wpb_row vc_row-fluid inw-mag\"><div class=\"jeg-vc-wrapper\"><div class=\"inw-mag-service wpb_column jeg_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-12\"><div class=\"jeg_wrapper wpb_wrapper\">\n\t<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"inw-h inw-mag-h2\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Karte_%E2%80%93_Castel_dellOvo_und_Megaride_in_Neapel\"><\/span>Map \u2013 Castel dell\u2019Ovo and Megaride in Naples<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The map marks Megaride. The Siren Fountain on Piazza Sannazaro is to the west; Spinacorona is in the historic old town.<\/p>\n<p><iframe class=\"lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/maps.google.com\/maps?q=Castel%20dell&apos;Ovo%2C%20Napoli&amp;z=13&amp;output=embed\" title=\"Map \u2013 Castel dell\u2019Ovo and Megaride in Naples\"  width=\"100%\" height=\"400\" loading=\"lazy\" style=\"border:0\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"row vc_row wpb_row vc_row-fluid inw-mag inw-mag-photo inw-mag-faq-divider\"><div class=\"jeg-vc-wrapper\"><div class=\"wpb_column jeg_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-12\"><div class=\"jeg_wrapper wpb_wrapper\">\n\t<div  class=\"wpb_single_image wpb_content_element vc_align_right wpb_content_element\">\n\t\t\n\t\t<figure class=\"wpb_wrapper vc_figure\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"vc_single_image-wrapper\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"897\" src=\"https:\/\/italien.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/parthenope-sirenenbrunnen-neapel-scaled.jpg\" class=\"vc_single_image-img attachment-full\" alt=\"The siren figure at the fountain on Piazza Sannazaro in Naples\" title=\"Parthenope at the Siren Fountain in Naples\" srcset=\"https:\/\/italien.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/parthenope-sirenenbrunnen-neapel-scaled.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/italien.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/parthenope-sirenenbrunnen-neapel-300x140.jpg 300w, https:\/\/italien.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/parthenope-sirenenbrunnen-neapel-1024x478.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/italien.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/parthenope-sirenenbrunnen-neapel-768x359.jpg 768w, https:\/\/italien.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/parthenope-sirenenbrunnen-neapel-18x8.jpg 18w, https:\/\/italien.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/parthenope-sirenenbrunnen-neapel-750x350.jpg 750w, https:\/\/italien.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/parthenope-sirenenbrunnen-neapel-1140x532.jpg 1140w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \/><\/div><figcaption class=\"vc_figure-caption\">Siren Fountain on Piazza Sannazaro in Naples \u00b7 <a href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:P._sannazaro.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Baku<\/a> \u00b7 <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/4.0\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">CC BY-SA 4.0<\/a><\/figcaption>\n\t\t<\/figure>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"row vc_row wpb_row vc_row-fluid inw-mag\"><div class=\"jeg-vc-wrapper\"><div class=\"inw-mag-service wpb_column jeg_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-12\"><div class=\"jeg_wrapper wpb_wrapper\"><div  class=\"jeg_block_heading jeg_block_heading_6 jeg_alignleft jnews_module__0_6af1b24151ea8\">\n                <h3 class=\"jeg_block_title\"><span>FAQ \u2013 Parthenope and Naples<\/span><\/h3>\n                \n            <\/div><div  class='jnews-faq-wrapper jnews_module__1_6af1b241521a1 style-4'>\n\t\t\t\t    \n        <div class=\"list-wrapper expand\">\n            <a class=\"list-toogle\" href=\"#\" aria-label=\"Toggle FAQ: Who was Parthenope?\">\n                <h5 class=\"question\">Who was Parthenope?<\/h5>\n                <svg class=\"faq-icon\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"14\" height=\"8\" viewbox=\"0 0 14 8\" fill=\"none\">\n                    <path d=\"M13.6152 0.369517C13.3685 0.132903 13.0341 0 12.6855 0C12.3368 0 12.0024 0.132903 11.7557 0.369517L6.98417 4.95184L2.21262 0.369517C1.96321 0.146331 1.63333 0.024827 1.29248 0.0306025C0.951625 0.0363779 0.626413 0.168982 0.385357 0.400478C0.1443 0.631975 0.00621891 0.94429 0.00020504 1.27162C-0.00580883 1.59896 0.120714 1.91576 0.353117 2.15528L6.05442 7.63048C6.30111 7.8671 6.63551 8 6.98417 8C7.33283 8 7.66723 7.8671 7.91392 7.63048L13.6152 2.15528C13.8616 1.91837 14 1.59723 14 1.2624C14 0.927566 13.8616 0.606426 13.6152 0.369517Z\" fill=\"black\" \/>\n                <\/svg>\n            <\/a>\n            <div class=\"card-expand\">\n                <p>In Greek mythology, Parthenope is a siren. Later texts link her story to the early settlement near Naples.<\/p>\n\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"list-wrapper\">\n            <a class=\"list-toogle\" href=\"#\" aria-label=\"Toggle FAQ: Does Homer name Parthenope in the Odyssey?\">\n                <h5 class=\"question\">Does Homer name Parthenope in the Odyssey?<\/h5>\n                <svg class=\"faq-icon\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"14\" height=\"8\" viewbox=\"0 0 14 8\" fill=\"none\">\n                    <path d=\"M13.6152 0.369517C13.3685 0.132903 13.0341 0 12.6855 0C12.3368 0 12.0024 0.132903 11.7557 0.369517L6.98417 4.95184L2.21262 0.369517C1.96321 0.146331 1.63333 0.024827 1.29248 0.0306025C0.951625 0.0363779 0.626413 0.168982 0.385357 0.400478C0.1443 0.631975 0.00621891 0.94429 0.00020504 1.27162C-0.00580883 1.59896 0.120714 1.91576 0.353117 2.15528L6.05442 7.63048C6.30111 7.8671 6.63551 8 6.98417 8C7.33283 8 7.66723 7.8671 7.91392 7.63048L13.6152 2.15528C13.8616 1.91837 14 1.59723 14 1.2624C14 0.927566 13.8616 0.606426 13.6152 0.369517Z\" fill=\"black\" \/>\n                <\/svg>\n            <\/a>\n            <div class=\"card-expand\" style=\"display: none;\">\n                <p>Homer tells of Odysseus' encounter with the sirens but does not name them individually there. Parthenope is named in later traditions.<\/p>\n\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"list-wrapper\">\n            <a class=\"list-toogle\" href=\"#\" aria-label=\"Toggle FAQ: How did the siren reach Naples?\">\n                <h5 class=\"question\">How did the siren reach Naples?<\/h5>\n                <svg class=\"faq-icon\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"14\" height=\"8\" viewbox=\"0 0 14 8\" fill=\"none\">\n                    <path d=\"M13.6152 0.369517C13.3685 0.132903 13.0341 0 12.6855 0C12.3368 0 12.0024 0.132903 11.7557 0.369517L6.98417 4.95184L2.21262 0.369517C1.96321 0.146331 1.63333 0.024827 1.29248 0.0306025C0.951625 0.0363779 0.626413 0.168982 0.385357 0.400478C0.1443 0.631975 0.00621891 0.94429 0.00020504 1.27162C-0.00580883 1.59896 0.120714 1.91576 0.353117 2.15528L6.05442 7.63048C6.30111 7.8671 6.63551 8 6.98417 8C7.33283 8 7.66723 7.8671 7.91392 7.63048L13.6152 2.15528C13.8616 1.91837 14 1.59723 14 1.2624C14 0.927566 13.8616 0.606426 13.6152 0.369517Z\" fill=\"black\" \/>\n                <\/svg>\n            <\/a>\n            <div class=\"card-expand\" style=\"display: none;\">\n                <p>According to legend, Parthenope was washed ashore after the encounter with Odysseus. Local tradition places her arrival at Megaride.<\/p>\n\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"list-wrapper\">\n            <a class=\"list-toogle\" href=\"#\" aria-label=\"Toggle FAQ: What is the difference between Partenope and Parthenope?\">\n                <h5 class=\"question\">What is the difference between Partenope and Parthenope?<\/h5>\n                <svg class=\"faq-icon\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"14\" height=\"8\" viewbox=\"0 0 14 8\" fill=\"none\">\n                    <path d=\"M13.6152 0.369517C13.3685 0.132903 13.0341 0 12.6855 0C12.3368 0 12.0024 0.132903 11.7557 0.369517L6.98417 4.95184L2.21262 0.369517C1.96321 0.146331 1.63333 0.024827 1.29248 0.0306025C0.951625 0.0363779 0.626413 0.168982 0.385357 0.400478C0.1443 0.631975 0.00621891 0.94429 0.00020504 1.27162C-0.00580883 1.59896 0.120714 1.91576 0.353117 2.15528L6.05442 7.63048C6.30111 7.8671 6.63551 8 6.98417 8C7.33283 8 7.66723 7.8671 7.91392 7.63048L13.6152 2.15528C13.8616 1.91837 14 1.59723 14 1.2624C14 0.927566 13.8616 0.606426 13.6152 0.369517Z\" fill=\"black\" \/>\n                <\/svg>\n            <\/a>\n            <div class=\"card-expand\" style=\"display: none;\">\n                <p>Partenope is the Italian spelling. Parthenope renders the Greek name in Latin letters.<\/p>\n\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"list-wrapper\">\n            <a class=\"list-toogle\" href=\"#\" aria-label=\"Toggle FAQ: Where is the Siren Fountain in Naples?\">\n                <h5 class=\"question\">Where is the Siren Fountain in Naples?<\/h5>\n                <svg class=\"faq-icon\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"14\" height=\"8\" viewbox=\"0 0 14 8\" fill=\"none\">\n                    <path d=\"M13.6152 0.369517C13.3685 0.132903 13.0341 0 12.6855 0C12.3368 0 12.0024 0.132903 11.7557 0.369517L6.98417 4.95184L2.21262 0.369517C1.96321 0.146331 1.63333 0.024827 1.29248 0.0306025C0.951625 0.0363779 0.626413 0.168982 0.385357 0.400478C0.1443 0.631975 0.00621891 0.94429 0.00020504 1.27162C-0.00580883 1.59896 0.120714 1.91576 0.353117 2.15528L6.05442 7.63048C6.30111 7.8671 6.63551 8 6.98417 8C7.33283 8 7.66723 7.8671 7.91392 7.63048L13.6152 2.15528C13.8616 1.91837 14 1.59723 14 1.2624C14 0.927566 13.8616 0.606426 13.6152 0.369517Z\" fill=\"black\" \/>\n                <\/svg>\n            <\/a>\n            <div class=\"card-expand\" style=\"display: none;\">\n                <p>The Fontana della Sirena stands on Piazza Sannazaro in Mergellina. Another siren figure can be found at the Fontana di Spinacorona in the historic centre.<\/p>\n\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"list-wrapper\">\n            <a class=\"list-toogle\" href=\"#\" aria-label=\"Toggle FAQ: What was the later Greek city called?\">\n                <h5 class=\"question\">What was the later Greek city called?<\/h5>\n                <svg class=\"faq-icon\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"14\" height=\"8\" viewbox=\"0 0 14 8\" fill=\"none\">\n                    <path d=\"M13.6152 0.369517C13.3685 0.132903 13.0341 0 12.6855 0C12.3368 0 12.0024 0.132903 11.7557 0.369517L6.98417 4.95184L2.21262 0.369517C1.96321 0.146331 1.63333 0.024827 1.29248 0.0306025C0.951625 0.0363779 0.626413 0.168982 0.385357 0.400478C0.1443 0.631975 0.00621891 0.94429 0.00020504 1.27162C-0.00580883 1.59896 0.120714 1.91576 0.353117 2.15528L6.05442 7.63048C6.30111 7.8671 6.63551 8 6.98417 8C7.33283 8 7.66723 7.8671 7.91392 7.63048L13.6152 2.15528C13.8616 1.91837 14 1.59723 14 1.2624C14 0.927566 13.8616 0.606426 13.6152 0.369517Z\" fill=\"black\" \/>\n                <\/svg>\n            <\/a>\n            <div class=\"card-expand\" style=\"display: none;\">\n                <p>Neapolis means 'new city'. The name Napoli developed from it. The older settlement is associated with Parthenope and Palaepolis.<\/p>\n\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n\t\t    <\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"row vc_row wpb_row vc_row-fluid inw-mag\"><div class=\"jeg-vc-wrapper\"><div class=\"inw-mag-service wpb_column jeg_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-12\"><div class=\"jeg_wrapper wpb_wrapper\">\n\t<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<details class=\"inw-sources\" style=\"border:1px solid #E3E7EC;border-radius:2px;padding:20px 24px\">\n<summary style=\"font-size:11px;font-weight:600;letter-spacing:.16em;text-transform:uppercase;color:#6B747E;cursor:pointer\">Sources and Further Information<\/summary>\n<ol style=\"font-size:12.5px;line-height:1.7;color:#6B747E;margin:0;padding-left:18px\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/static-www.comune.napoli.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/1._Parthenope.pdf?mode=inline\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">City of Naples \u2013 Parthenope, Megaride and the founding myth<\/a> (accessed November 2026)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theoi.com\/Text\/LycophronAlexandra2.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Lycophron \u2013 Alexandra, ancient tradition about the sirens<\/a> (accessed November 2026)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.treccani.it\/enciclopedia\/parthenope_%28Enciclopedia-dell%27-Arte-Antica%29\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Treccani \u2013 Parthenope in ancient sources and cult<\/a> (accessed November 2026)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/static-www.comune.napoli.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Fontana_della_Sirena__2_.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">City of Naples \u2013 Fontana della Sirena on Piazza Sannazaro<\/a> (accessed November 2026)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.comune.napoli.it\/flex\/cm\/pages\/ServeAttachment.php\/L\/IT\/D\/1%252F2%252F2%252FD.8c9159f64bc1e9017daf\/P\/BLOB%3AID%3D23775\/E\/pdf?mode=download\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">City of Naples \u2013 Fontana di Spinacorona<\/a> (accessed November 2026)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/details>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Parthenope is the siren in Naples' founding myth. What Homer and later writers say, and where to follow her traces between Megaride and Mergellina.<\/p>","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":331108,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inwp_podcast_mp3":"","inwp_podcast_apple":"","inwp_podcast_spotify":"","inwp_podcast_youtube":"","inw_restaurant_url":"","inw_restaurant_lat":"","inw_restaurant_lng":"","in_event_type":"","in_event_featured":"","in_event_teaser":"","in_event_name":"","in_event_address":"","in_event_status":"","in_event_turnus":"","inw_hotel_email":"","inw_hotel_type":"","inw_hotel_name":"","inw_hotel_street":"","inw_hotel_zip":"","inw_hotel_city":"","inw_hotel_region":"","inw_hotel_country":"","inw_hotel_phone":"","inw_hotel_url":"","inw_hotel_lat":"","inw_hotel_lng":"","inw_hotel_pricerange":"","inw_hotel_stars":"","inw_hotel_amenities":"","in_event_start":"","in_event_end":"","in_event_time":"","in_event_time_end":"","in_event_location":"","in_event_city":"","in_event_region":"","in_event_price":"","in_event_organizer":"","in_event_url":"","in_event_sort":"","in_event_sort_end":"","jnews-multi-image_gallery":[],"jnews_single_post":{"disable_ad":"0","format":"standard","image_override":[{"single_post_gallery_size":"crop-500","single_post_thumbnail_size":"full"}],"jnews_video_option_group":[[]],"override":[{"fullscreen":"1","layout":"no-sidebar-narrow","number_popup_post":"2","parallax":"1","post_calculate_word_method":"str_word_count","post_date_format":"default","post_date_format_custom":"Y\/m\/d","post_reading_time_wpm":"300","second_sidebar":"default-sidebar","share_float_style":"share-normal","share_position":"bottom","show_author_box":"1","show_featured":"1","show_inline_post_related":"0","show_popup_post":"0","show_post_author":"1","show_post_author_image":"1","show_post_category":"1","show_post_date":"1","show_post_meta":"1","show_post_reading_time":"1","show_post_related":"1","show_post_tag":"1","show_prev_next_post":"1","show_zoom_button":"1","sidebar":"single-left","sticky_sidebar":"1","template":"7","zoom_button_in_step":"3","zoom_button_out_step":"2","main_content_tag":"div"}],"override_template":"1","sponsored_post_label":"","subtitle":"Homer gibt ihr keinen Namen. Sp\u00e4tere Autoren erz\u00e4hlen von ihrem Grab am Golf. Ein Spaziergang durch Neapel zeigt, wie viele Gesichter die Sirene bekommen hat.","trending_post_label":"Trending","trending_post_position":"meta","featured_image_fetch_priority_high":"1"},"jnews_primary_category":[],"jnews_social_meta":[],"jnews_override_counter":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[54,72,400],"tags":[24710,24708,2653,19467,114,24709,24707,23684],"class_list":["post-361361","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-neapel","category-kampanien","category-kultur","tag-castel-dellovo","tag-griechische-mythologie","tag-kampanien","tag-magna-graecia","tag-neapel","tag-odysseus","tag-parthenope","tag-sirenen"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/italien.news\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/361361","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/italien.news\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/italien.news\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/italien.news\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/italien.news\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=361361"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/italien.news\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/361361\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":361363,"href":"https:\/\/italien.news\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/361361\/revisions\/361363"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/italien.news\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/331108"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/italien.news\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=361361"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/italien.news\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=361361"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/italien.news\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=361361"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}