vedi Napoli e poi muori

Italian

Etymology

Literally “see Naples and then die”, as quoted by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.[1] Compare Neapolitan vide Napule e po' muore.

Though of unknown origin and authorship, it is likely to have been coined in the city itself when the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies (of which Naples was the capital) was at its golden age, that is, during the kingdom of Bourbons.

Pronunciation

IPA^(key): /ˌve.di ˈna.po.li e‿pˌpɔi ˈmwɔ.ri/, [ˌved̪i ˈnäːpolj e‿ˌpːɔi̯ ˈmwɔːri]

Proverb

vedi Napoli e poi muori

see Naples and die (nothing compares to the beauty of Naples, so you can die after you've seen it)

References

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1816), “Den 2. März”, in Italienische Reise [Italian Journey]‎ (in German), volume 1: “Von der Lage der Stadt und ihren Herrlichkeiten, die so oft beschrieben und belobt sind, kein Wort. »Vedi Napoli e poi muori!« sagen sie hier. »Siehe Neapel und stirb!«”

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[1] Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1816), “Den 2. März”, in Italienische Reise [Italian Journey]‎ (in German), volume 1: “Von der Lage der Stadt und ihren Herrlichkeiten, die so oft beschrieben und belobt sind, kein Wort. »Vedi Napoli e poi muori!« sagen sie hier. »Siehe Neapel und stirb!«”