Beehives Installed on Roof of Gallerie d'Italia in Naples for Urban Beekeeping Project

Gallerie d'Italia in Naples, housed in the historic Palazzo Piacentini, has launched an urban beekeeping project on its rooftop terrace. The museum, which opened in May 2022 after a renovation by architect Michele De Lucchi, is owned by Intesa Sanpaolo. The beehives, named after historic Naples neighborhoods (Forcella, Pignasecca, Sanità), were installed in December 2023 as part of the Urbee – adopt your urban bee initiative by Apicoltura Urbana. The project is curated by chef Giuseppe Iannotti, who oversees the museum's dining offerings including the Luminist café and bistrot, the 177Toledo fine-dining restaurant, and the Anthill cocktail bar. Each hive contains a sensor that monitors bee health as bioindicators, collecting data to assess Naples' air quality. Queen bees are named after iconic Neapolitan actresses Titina De Filippo, Pupella Maggio, and Sophia Loren; drones are named Diego (Maradona), Totò (Antonio de Curtis), and Massimo Troisi. The public can adopt a bee or swarm through Urbee, receiving natural cosmetics made from honey, propolis, and beeswax. Apicoltura Urbana will also host workshops on biodiversity and the importance of bees for ecosystem preservation.