Sophia Loren made honorary Naples citizen

Naples, the city that became the backdrop of many of Sophia Loren's films, has made her an honorary citizen.

Sophia Loren has been made an honorary citizen of Naples. (AAP)

Sophia Loren has been made an honorary citizen of Naples, the city that formed her and became the backdrop of many of her films.

Naples Mayor Luigi de Magistris honoured 81-year-old Loren at a ceremony attended by 500 residents on Saturday as the Neapolitan song "O sole mio" played.

Loren was wearing a black dress with a fuschia floral print and told the news agency ANSA that "I feel so much love."

De Magistris said on Twitter that Loren and Naples had "intertwined hearts."

Loren grew up near Naples, and her breakthrough role came in Vittorio De Sica's The Gold of Naples, in 1954. She once famously told an interviewer that "I am not Italian. I am Neapolitan. It's another thing!"