Palazzo Ischitella

Palazzo Ischitella is a noble palace on the Riviera di Chiaia in Naples, featuring three grand entrance portals on its main facade with detailed architectural elements typical of Neapolitan design. The building was converted into residential units but retains its original 18th and 19th century frescoes, furnishings, and decorative details throughout the interior.

A Spanish magistrate named Matías de Casanate y Espés commissioned the palace's construction in the 1620s while serving in local government posts. Later, during the Austrian viceregal period, Prince Francesco Emanuele Pinto y Mendoza assembled an extensive nativity scene collection within its rooms.

The rooms hold frescoes and decorative works created by local artists who worked for noble families over generations. These painted surfaces and ornaments show how artists brought their craft into private homes and shaped the spaces where people lived.

The palace has been divided into residential units, so interior access is generally limited and typically requires advance arrangements. Visitors interested in the building can view and appreciate its facade and prominent location from the surrounding street area.

The building once housed an important collection of handmade nativity scenes, religious artworks with deep roots in Neapolitan tradition. This assembly was gathered during the Austrian viceregal rule and reflects how noble patrons connected their collections to local spiritual customs.