Castel Nuovo Review

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Castel Nuovo

  • Address: Piazza Municipio, Naples
  • Phone: 081/7952003

Fodor's Review:

Also known as the Maschio Angioino, this massive fortress was built by the Angevins (related to the French monarchy) in the 13th century and completely rebuilt by the Aragonese rulers (descendants of an illegitimate branch of Spain's ruling line) who succeeded them. The decorative marble triumphal arch that forms the entrance was erected during the Renaissance in honor of King Alfonso V of Aragon (1396-1458), and its rich bas-reliefs are credited to Francesco Laurana (circa 1430-1502). Set incongruously into the castle's heavy stone walls, the arch is one of the finest of its kind. Within the castle is the Museo Civico, comprising mainly local artwork from the 15th to 19th centuries. It's hard to avoid the impression that these last were rejects from the much finer collection at the Museo di Capodimonte. You can also visit the Palatine Chapel and the octagonal Sala dei Baroni, where Ferrante I disposed of a group of rebellious barons in 1485 by inviting them to a mock wedding party and then pouring boiling oil on their heads from the ceiling. In the left corner of the courtyard is the Sala dell'Armeria, the Armory, where part of the flooring has been conveniently glassed over to reveal the remains of a Roman villa and a medieval necropolis.

  • Cost: EUR 5
  • Open: Mon.-Sat. 9-6
  • Metro: Montesanto (in construction: Piazza Municipio)
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