Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Christened the Castrum Novum (New Castle) to distinguish it from the older Castel
dell'Ovo and Castel Capuano, it was completed in 1282, becoming a popular hang-out for
the leading intellectuals and artists of the day - Giotto repaid his royal hosts by painting
much of the interior. Of the original structure, however, only the Cappella Palatina re-
mains; the rest is the result of Aragonese renovations two centuries later, as well as a me-
ticulous restoration effort prior to WWII.
The two-storey Renaissance triumphal arch at the entrance - the
Torre della Guardia
-
commemorates the victorious entry of Alfonso I of Aragon into Naples in 1443, while the
stark stone
Sala dei Baroni
(Hall of the Barons) is named after the barons slaughtered
here in 1486 for plotting against King Ferdinand I of Aragon. Its striking ribbed vault
fuses ancient Roman and Spanish late-Gothic influences.
Only fragments of Giotto's frescoes remain in the
Cappella Palatina
, on the splays of
the Gothic windows. Above the chapel's elegant Renaissance doorway is a beautiful
Catalan-style rose window. To the left of the chapel, the glass-floored
Sala dell'Armeria
(Armoury Hall) showcases Roman ruins discovered during restoration works on the Sala
dei Baroni. Among the finds are the remains of a private swimming pool, as well as skel-
etons dating to the medieval period.
All this forms part of the museum, spread across several halls on three floors. The 14th-
and 15th-century frescoes and sculptures on the ground floor are of the most interest.
The other two floors mostly display paintings, either by Neapolitan artists, or with
Naples or Campania as subjects, covering the 17th to the early 20th centuries. Worth seek-
ing out is Guglielmo Monaco's 15th-century bronze door, complete with a cannonball em-
bedded in it.
Lungomare
(seafront; Via Francesco Caracciolo; 154 to Piazza Vittoria)
When you need a break
from Naples' hyperactive tendencies, take a deep breath on its recently pedestrianised
seafront strip. Stretching 2.5km along Via Partenope and Via Francesco Carrociolo, its
views are nothing short of exquisite, taking in the bay, Mt Vesuvius, two castles and
Vomero's Liberty-style villas. It's particularly romantic at dusk, when Capri and the vol-
cano take on a soft orange hue.
Separating the Lungomare from Riviera di Chiaia is the
Villa Comunale
Offline map
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( Piazza Vittoria; 7am-midnight; C25 to Riviera di Chiaia)
, a long,
leafy park designed by Luigi Vanvitelli for private Bourbon frolicking. Its bountiful booty
of fountains include the Fontana delle Paperelle (Duck Fountain), which replaced the fam-
ous Toro Farnese after its transferral to the Museo Archeologico Nazionale in 1825.
STREET, PARK, AQUARIUM
