The Italian Pavilion features a plaza surrounded by a collection of buildings evocative of Venetian, Florentine, and Roman architecture. Venetian architecture is represented by a re-creation of St. Mark's Campanile (bell tower) and a replica of the Doge's Palace. The pavilion's design is inspired by other hallmarks of Italian architecture, such as the Neptune Fountain (reminiscent of Rome's Trevi Fountain) and the Il Bel Cristallo shop (meant to resemble the exterior of the Sistine Chapel). Musicians, clowns, and acting troupes often appear in the piazza throughout the day. There are also small shops selling Italian goods, such as candy and wine.
The original plans for the pavilion called for an expansion that would be built in Epcot's "Phase II" of construction, thus leaving a wall with nothing behind it at the rear of the pavilion. The expansion would have included a gondola dark ride and a Roman ruins walk-through. When "Phase II" was canceled, the pavilion was left incomplete. However, a restaurant by the name of Via Napoli, designed by the Florentine architects Stefano Nardini and Raffaella Melucci, opened under the Patina Restaurant Group in 2010, and brought the pavilion its long-awaited completion. It features Florentine architecture and authentic Neapolitan cuisine. The water used to make pizza dough is imported from Pennsylvania to simulate authentic Neapolitan dough. Via Napoli's three wood burning ovens pay tribute to the three active volcanoes in Italy: Etna, Vesuvio, and Stromboli. To do this, each of the three ovens are sculpted in the shape of the face of the god that their corresponding volcano is named after. The long communal table in the center of the room was built in Florence and features hand painted tiles depicting iconic monuments in Italy. Other notable features of Via Napoli are its high and vaulted ceilings, imported ceramics and blown glass, and the abundance of windows that flood the establishment with natural light.
Attractions[]
Current[]
Kidcot Fun Stops - Italy
Former[]
Ziti Sisters
Entertainment[]
Current[]
Sbandieratori Di Sansepolcro
Sergio
World Showcase Players
Former[]
Lou E.G.
Rondo Veneziano
Imaginum A statue Act
Restaurants[]
Current[]
Gelati
Tutto Italia
Tutto Gusto Wine Cellar
Via Napoli Pizzeria E Ristorante
Former[]
L'Originale Alfredo di Roma Ristorante (1982-2007)
Spaceship Earth: Our Shared Story • Mission: SPACE • Test Track • The Seas with Nemo & Friends (Turtle Talk with Crush) • The Land (Awesome Planet • Soarin' Around the World • Living with the Land) • Imagination! (Journey into Imagination with Figment • ImageWorks: The What-If Labs) • The EPCOT Experience Center
Disney's Yacht Club Resort • Disney's Beach Club Resort • Disney's BoardWalk Inn • Disney's BoardWalk Villas • Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort • Disney's Riviera Resort
Current Entertainment
Epcot Forever
Former Attractions and Entertainment
Universe of Energy • Journey Into Imagination • Ellen's Energy Adventure • Agent P's World Showcase Adventure • Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure • Honey, I Shrunk the Audience • Horizons • World of Motion • Wonders of Life (Body Wars • Cranium Command • Goofy About Health • The Making of Me) • Upstairs Image Works • CommuniCore • Symbiosis • IllumiNations • IllumiNations 25 • IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth • Magic Journeys • Millennium Village • Tapestry of Nations • Splashtacular • Kitchen Kabaret • The Living Seas • Wonders of China • Maelstrom • El Rio del Tiempo • Food Rocks • Captain EO • Journey Into Your Imagination • Circle of Life: An Environmental Fable • O Canada! • Innoventions
