Castel Nuovo (New Castle), Naples (must see)

New Castle rises near the harbour as one of Naples’ most recognisable medieval landmarks. Its history begins in 1279, when Charles I of Anjou, King of Sicily, ordered the construction of a new royal fortress to serve as both a defensive stronghold and a symbol of power. At the time, Naples had recently become the capital of the Kingdom of Naples, and the castle’s location near the sea underlined its political and strategic importance.

Over the centuries, New Castle was repeatedly modified as control of the city passed from the Angevins to the Aragonese and later rulers. The most significant transformation occurred in the 15th century under Alfonso V of Aragon, who added the imposing cylindrical towers seen today and commissioned the white marble triumphal arch that marks the main entrance. This arch, celebrating Alfonso’s victorious entry into Naples in 1443, blends classical Roman imagery with Renaissance ideals and stands in deliberate contrast to the fortress’s dark volcanic stone.

Beyond its military role, New Castle also functioned as a royal residence and cultural centre. The castle hosted court ceremonies, diplomatic meetings, and intellectual gatherings. One of its most notable interior spaces is the Hall of the Barons, a vast hall once used for royal assemblies, whose ribbed vault combines Gothic tradition with early Renaissance experimentation. The imposing room can be reached via a long staircase on the northern wall of the inner courtyard. From the courtyard, the beige wall of the Hall of the Barons contrasts with the dark grey of the Palatine Chapel—the only surviving element of the 14th-century Angevin castle. The chapel can be recognised by its Renaissance portal and the rose window above it.

In addition, the castle houses interior museum spaces displaying sculptures, fresco fragments, and archaeological finds connected to Naples’ medieval and Renaissance history.

Despite later losing its status as a royal home, the castle remained central to Naples’ political life well into the modern era, serving as military and civic administrative offices until 1815.