The Castel Nuovo is more commonly known locally as the Maschio Angioino, a name that dates the fortress’s origins to the reign of Charles I of Anjou in the late 13th century. It was officially called the “New Castle” to distinguish it from existing ones, namely the Ovo and the Capuano. During the reign of Robert of Anjou, the place became an important cultural centre, attracting such greats as Petrarch, Boccaccio and Giotto for productive sojourns. It was the Spanish conquerors from Aragon who, in the 15th century, gave it its present-day militaristic look as well as Renaissance embellishments.
NEED TO KNOW
Piazza Municipio • 081 795 58 77 • DA (partial) • Open 9am–8pm Mon–Sat (last entry 7pm) • Adm adults €4; between 18–24 year-olds €2- Inside nearby Galleria Umberto I is Caffè Roma, where you’ll find a tempting array of drinks and freshly made local dishes.
- Sometimes sections of the castle can be closed, but enquire at the information office located in the courtyard and someone may be kind enough to let you in for a quick look.
1.Architecture
In the 15th century five cylindrical towers were added, as was a Catalan courtyard and the Hall of the Barons.
Spectacular cylindrical tower of the castle
2.Triumphal Arch
Inspired by Roman antecedents, the arch was built in 1443 to celebrate King Alfonso V of Aragon and features sculpted bas-reliefs.
The stunning Triumphal Arch
3.Cappella Palatina
The castle’s main chapel houses frescoes from the 14th to 16th centuries, as well as a fine Renaissance sculpted tabernacle.
4.Museo Civico
On the first floor here are paintings and sculptures, including a 16th-century Adoration of the Magi in which the Wise Men are portraits of kings Ferrante I and Alfonso II, and Emperor Charles V. Also here are 15th-century bronze doors, depicting royal victories over rebellious barons.
Enthroned Madonna and Child by Francesco Laurana, Museo Civico
5.Sala dei Baroni
In 1486 Ferrante I of Aragon invited barons who were plotting against him to a ball here, whereupon he had them all executed. Today the hall is notable for its splendid vaults .
The beautiful interiors of Baron's Hall
6.Excavations
In the left corner of the courtyard visitors can view archaeological excavations through a glass floor. Macabre surprises include skeletons of monks from an early convent on the site.
7.Views
One of the best aspects of a visit to the castle is taking in the magnificent views from its upper walls and terraces. Panoramas include Mount Vesuvius and, on a clear day, even the Sorrentine Peninsula.
8.Paintings of Naples
The second floor of the museum focuses on Neapolitan works of a secular nature from the 18th to 20th centuries. Sculptures include scugnizzi (street urchins), especially the famous Fisherboy by Vincenzo Gemito.
9.Dungeons
Legend has it that prisoners would regularly disappear from these dungeons without a trace. The cause was discovered to be a huge crocodile that would grab their legs through a drain hole and drag them away; the hole now has a grating over it.
10.Inner Courtyard
This harmonious space has typically Catalan features, such as the “depressed” arches – broader and flatter than Italian types – and an external grand staircase.
The harmonious inner courtyard of the castle
FROM FORTRESS TO CIVIC PARK
The castle still retains a defensive look – most notably the sloping base surmounted by a rim of castellated battlements. In the 16th century an enclosing ring wall was added, with bastions of its own, which hid the castle from view and gave the entire area an even more ominous feel. Following Italy’s Unification, however, the outer wall was demolished and the area was laid out with avenues, lawns and flower gardens, lessening the forbidding aspect of the place.
