Naples is a city where every street corner has a ghost, a miracle, or a secret. Here are three of the most fascinating urban legends and hidden secrets you’ll find in the winding alleys:

1. The "Munaciello" (The Little Monk)

This is perhaps the most famous legend in Naples. The Munaciello is a mischievous sprite dressed in a monk’s habit.

• The Legend: He is said to live in the ancient underground tunnels and water cisterns. He enters houses through the old wells.
  
• The Secret: If he likes you, he might leave gold coins in your shoes or hidden around the house. If he dislikes you, he’ll break your plates or hide your keys.
  
• The Reality: Historically, "Munacielli" were likely the water well cleaners. Because they knew the secret passages under the city, they could slip into people's homes to steal—or, if they were having an affair with the lady of the house, they would leave expensive gifts to explain their presence!
   

2. The Skull with the Ears (Donna Lucia)

In the Fontanelle Cemetery (an ossuary in a cave), there are thousands of skulls, but one is more famous than the others: the skull of Donna Lucia.

• The Secret: This skull is unique because it still has "ears" (actually mummified cartilage).
  
• The Ritual: Neapolitans used to "adopt" a skull (anime pezzentelle), cleaning it and bringing it flowers in exchange for protection. Donna Lucia is the "listener." People whisper their most secret prayers into her ears because they believe she has a "direct line" to the afterlife.
   

3. The Legend of the Crocodile in the Castel Nuovo

In the dungeons of the Maschio Angioino (Castel Nuovo), there is a cell known as the "Crocodile’s Hole."

• The Legend: During the reign of Queen Joanna II, prisoners began to disappear mysteriously from their cells. Guards discovered that a giant crocodile had swum across the Mediterranean, entered the castle through a vent, and was dragging prisoners out to sea by their legs.
  
• The Outcome: To get rid of the beast, it was supposedly fed a leg of horse laced with poison. If you visit the castle today, you can still see the dark, damp dungeon where the "beast" allegedly held court.
   

4. The "Pulcinella" Nose for Good Luck

In the heart of the historic center (Via Tribunali), there is a bronze bust of Pulcinella, the iconic masked character of Neapolitan puppetry.

• The Secret: You will notice that his nose is polished to a bright, shiny gold while the rest of his face is dark.
  
• The Tradition: Every local and tourist who passes by must rub Pulcinella’s nose. It is said to grant a wish and ensure that you will one day return to Naples.