Do you know that there are five castles in Naples? Let’s find out together!

Ovo Castle

A characteristic feature of the city’s waterfront landscape, it has preserved its original appearance in part.

Its name (“ovo” means “egg“) comes from a legend: Virgil, the great Latin poet, buried a magical egg in the castle’s dungeons, capable of keeping the entire structure standing.

Beyond the charm of its history, it has a very important role in the history of the city: above all, it welcomed the last emperor of the Roman Empire – Romulus Augustolo.

Its imposing appearance has always been the subject of the attentions of the kings of the Neapolitan dynasties, until it becomes a symbol of our city in modern times.

The setting sun on the castle will give poetry to your walks on the wonderful seaside promenade of Naples!

Castelnuovo – Maschio Angioino

In the center of Naples, stands imposing and majestic the Castelnuovo, known as Maschio Angioino.

It is universally the symbol of our city, as well as enclosing many traces of Neapolitan history – both ancient and recent.

Charles I Angevin project was to makethe city monumental. He then promoted the creation of his royal residence, austere on the outside and very rich inside: it was exactly the mirror of the medieval court.

In 1442, when Alfonso of Aragon entered the city, everything was transformed into a Renaissance key: the most striking change was the installation of the Triumphal Arch, between the two towers of the entrance.

While during the Spanish Viceroyal period, Castelnuovo was relegated to mere military fortress, in modern times it has a very important cultural role: in addition to hosting the civic museum of the city, it is also the seat of the Neapolitan Society of Fatherland History and the Committee for the History of the Italian Resurgence.

St. Elmo Castle

Founded in medieval times, it hosted King Robert d’Angiò and his court: it was equipped with a palatine chapel named after St. Erasmus, then contracted the Hermo and finally Elmo – hence its name.

It was, however, during the Vicereign of Don Pedro of Toledo that Castel Sant’Elmo lived a new and spectacular appearance: from above, it is clearly visible its refined star plant, which makes it also the largest fortress in the whole city.

In the centuries to come, its use was merely military; only in 1982 it was included among the sites of historical and cultural interest of Naples: since then it is used as a museum of contemporary art and is a very important cultural center.

Its location has always been its strength: in the past, perfect for war sightings; today, it gives everyone the most beautiful view of the entire city.

 

Capuano Castle

Castel Capuano takes its name from the nearby Capuana Gate, which opened to the road leading to the ancient Capua.

Its appearance has always been austere and solemn, as well as showing up majestically in an area of Naples with narrow streets, small houses and shops.

Its  role as the Kings’ seat changed just after the construction of Castel Nuovo – Maschio Angioino: it was intended to host the Palace of Justice.

The Viceroy Don Pedro da Toledo brought together all the local courts scattered throughout the territory in a single building: he made all the elements typically military disappear, to allocate the halls to the administration of justice and the underground to the prisons.

Some rooms, such as the Chamber of Summary, still manage to tell the great prestige of the Neapolitan forensic class.

For all The Neapolitans it is the “Old Tribunal”, a reference point that has renamed the ancient Decumano Major: Via dei Tribunali.

Aselmeyer Castle

It is the “youngest” castle in all of Naples: it was designed in the early 1900s by the Anglo-Neapolitan architect Lamont Young, when the major decreed the accommodation of this new area of the city.

The building, later bought by banker Carlo Aselmeyer, is the best example of English neo-Gothic architecture in town: the fascinating Ogival arches and soaring whitings are a clear homage to the Middle Ages, while the exterior is completely covered with Vesuvian stone bugs.

Lamont Young signed many projects in Naples, both private and urban: he felt so attached to our city, that he decided to move to the islet of Gaiola, now a marine protected area of the Gulf of Naples.

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       Naples is a city full of secret treasures: let’s discover them together!

St. Luciella ai Librai

A short walk from the crowded Via San Gregorio Armeno, there is this small wonder nestled in the alleys of the old town.

The first room that you’ll see, with its precious plan of original maioliche and Neapolitan manufacture, hides a real treasure below: you will descend towards a small, but austere room totally used as holy land, a real small private cemetery.

The atmosphere here is very evocative, and becomes unique when the gaze rests on the famous “skull with ears”: a small skull, here to hear the pains and prayers of the Neapolitan people.

We are lucky enough to visit this unique place, thanks to our friends of the cultural association RespiriamoArte: after years of sacrifices and hard work, they have managed to make available to all of us this magical place, mirror of the soul of Naples.

St. Anna dei Lombardi

The large facade, restored after the war, opens to a chest full of priceless treasures.

Crossing the great aisle opens to an elegant and refined scene: the side chapels are examples of the highest Renaissance of Tuscan origin in Naples.But it’s all yet to be discovered!

The great “Lamentation On Dead Christ”, by Guido Mazzoni, an impressive sculptural complex in its realistic and dramatic rendering.

The Old Sacristy, almost entirely decorated by Giorgio Vasari, dazzles and sinks the spectator in its timeless beauty.

Finally, the surprise, once again, is below: from the choir you can reach a Crypt, decorated with surprisingly intact frescoes, surrounded by drained seats; on the top, small and precious cases contain the mortal remains of nobles of Naples.

St. Chiara Cloister

Among the narrow and chaotic streets of the ancient center of Naples, there is a hidden treasure to discover!

Over to the austere aspect of St. Chiara Basilica, there’s the access to the most precious part of the monumental complex: the Cloister of the Clarisse, also called the Cloister of the Maioliche.

You will immediately sink yourself in a unique atmosphere: an almost mystical peace will guide you to a riot of colors and precious decorations.

Domenico Antonio Vaccaro was the Neapolitan architect who cared about the new look of the cloister: while leaving intact its original Gothic structure, he created in the central part two large internal avenues dividing the old cloister into four sectors – two arranged in italian garden with hedges and fountains, and two destined for citrus.

The pillars and walls were covered with beautiful polychrome maiolicas in rococo taste made by the Neapolitan “riggiolari” Donato and Giuseppe Massa, taking up floral and vegetable motifs.

Especially on shining sun days, visiting this wonderful place really allows you to daydream!

St. Eligio Maggiore Complex

Among the crowded and chaotic streets of the ancient maritime area of Naples, you will be surprised at this majestic complex, the one of Sant’Eligio Maggiore.

It is right next to the famous Piazza Mercato: it is a very important and recurring place in the history of Naples, as it was the square intended for executions that, very often, marked the end or the beginning of the historical phases of the city.

The medieval shapes of the church are still perfectly distinguishable: beyond the side portal, which proudly shows the Gothic decoration, you get inside a large sacred room, divided into three aisles.

The appearance of the church is austere and rigorous, lightely shining by the openings of the absidal area. O

utside, a large arch completely leans on the side buildings, and shows a large “two-sided” clock: on one side, the two-hand clock traditionally marks the hour. On the other side, the dial retains only a hand: there time stopped on March 28, 1943, when in the nearby port a large ship exploded, hitting many workers and passers-by.

Underground Museum of Naples

The Complex of Incurabili

The maximum decumano, road artery that runs through the last part of the ancient center of Naples, is perhaps one of the least traveled areas by visitors… But that preserves a real treasure chest!

Above all, the most fascinating is the complex of the Incurables. Its precious and fragile gem is her Pharmacy: a small building, whose entrance is accessible by a flashy double flight of stairs.

Upon entering, time seems to stop: almost completely intact, it still retains the original shelving, on which the precious vases – which contained the “ingredients” of medical recipes , are still laid.

From the ceiling – enriched by a precious canvas that covers it in full, to the shelving, to the decking of both rooms – in precious majolicate terracotta: in an environment dedicated to medical care, here is the triumph of Neapolitan decorativeism, in its most dazzling era.

Sansevero Chapel – The Veiled Christ

It would not be enough a few lines to describe everything: creativity, dynastic pride, science and mystery blend perfectly into a unique atmosphere.

From the precious floor, to the refined decoration of the ceiling, passing through the rich sculptural kit that surrounds every corner of the chapel. In the underground cavea, the two large anatomical machines always: two enigmatic presences offer themselves to the sight of all, examples of a great and lively scientific attention.

The undisputed protagonist is always the Veiled Christ: an emotional portrait of the body of Christ lying, whose images have gone around the world thanks to the impressive greatness of the details.

Everything celebrates the genius of Raimondo di Sangro, Prince of Sansevero: enlightened, patron, alchemist, literary, Neapolitan academic who has made his family chapel a real kingdom. From the entrance to the exit, you will be completely overwhelmed by his fascinating and mysterious world.

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