Italian Gangs
Map of the Top Gangs and Hood Areas of Italy
A country with much history has another side that often gets overshadowed and ignored. The streets of some of Europe’s most fiercest communities, alongside Europe’s most organized and notorious underworld organizations, reside in the country of Italy.
This article depicts and gives an in-depth look into the main Italian gangs that are a factor. In Italy, gangs are notably referred as the mafia. There are multiple organizations operating in southern Italy, a place that has historically received racist treatment from northern Italy, carving out their own territory. These organizations date back to the late 1800s, like Cosa Nostra, Camorra, or Ndrangheta.
They operate more sophisticated and organized than your traditional gangs. The Mafia of Italy reached its peak during the 1900s, until the 1990s with the Mafia wars and numerous arrests leading to their decline. While the mafia remains active, just not at previous levels, Italy has recently had a rise in foreign organizations, like Nigerian, Albanian, and even Chinese gangs.
The “Hood Areas” of Italy are placed in several cities, but not as widespread as places in London or the United States. Most communities, like Scampia or Tor Bella Monaca, consists of either large high rise public housing complexes or smaller apartment buildings. While places like Sicily are extremely old and might not be as upkept, appearing ghetto-like, most neighborhoods are safe.