Nook of Naples: I was surprised to find that with the bevy of old ruins glutting the region, Neapolitans still have a love for the cutting-edge contemporary. Opened in 2005, MADRE has an incredible permanent collection of modern art by some of the 'greats': Andy Warhol, Robert Rauschenberg, Claes Olderburg, Mimmo Paladino, Roy Lichtenstein, and Robert Mapplethorpe. My favorite is Michelangelo Pistoletto's "Black Venus":
When I visited, the temporary exhibition space displayed Riccardo Mendoza's eerie series called "The Possessed":
MADRE has a children's area with hands-on activites. You can also wander to the far back of the museum and enter the 8th century church Santa Maria di Donnaregina Vecchia. Evening events are hosted here, making the museum a great place for all ages. For anyone visiting Naples who likes modern art, I'd definitely make this a 'must see' destination point.
Getting There: Via Settembrini 79 (near Piazza Cavour)
Free on Mondays and closed on Tuesdays. Saturdays and Sundays open until midnight.
