Naples served as the capital of the Duchy of Naples (661â1139), subsequently as the capital of the Kingdom of Naples (1282â1816), and finally as the capital of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies â until the unification of Italy in 1861. Naples is also considered a capital of the Baroque, beginning with the artist Caravaggio's career in the 17th century and the artistic revolution he inspired.[7] It was also an important centre of humanism and Enlightenment.[8][9] The city has long been a global point of reference for classical music and opera through the Neapolitan School. Between 1925 and 1936, Naples was expanded and upgraded by Benito Mussolini's government. During the later years of World War II, it sustained severe damage from Allied bombing as they invaded the peninsula. The city underwent extensive reconstruction work after the war.
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