View of the harbor and the quays in the Santa Lucia neighborhood of Naples 1860

This albumen print shows the harbor and quays of the Santa Lucia neighborhood in Naples, and was made by Roberto Rive sometime in the second half of the 19th century. Such images were popular souvenirs for tourists, but they also provided a window onto the rapid urbanization and industrialization that transformed European cities. Naples, in particular, was undergoing significant changes during this period, with new infrastructure projects and increased commercial activity. Rive's photograph captures this moment of transition, revealing the city's blend of old and new. We see traditional fishing boats alongside modern steamships, and crowded streets lined with both historic buildings and grand new constructions. Looking at such images allows us to reconstruct the social and economic conditions of the time. Census data, trade records, and urban planning documents can shed light on the impact of these changes on the lives of ordinary Neapolitans, and help us understand the complex relationship between progress and tradition.