Ospedale L'Albergo Reale dei Poveri, Former hospital and palace in Naples, Italy
The Real Albergo dei Poveri is a large baroque structure spanning over 110,000 square feet (approximately 10,200 square meters) with a facade measuring roughly 1,300 feet (about 400 meters) in length, featuring five floors and three internal courtyards designed to accommodate thousands of residents.
Construction of the building began in 1751 under King Charles III of Bourbon and was designed by architect Ferdinando Fuga, though the project remained incomplete due to funding issues and took nearly seventy years until 1819 to reach its current state.
The structure was intended to provide shelter, food, and education to the poor, offering spaces for workshops, schools for music and manual trades, and facilities for specialized instruction including programs for deaf individuals and juvenile rehabilitation.
The building is located in Piazza Carlo III along Via Foria in the northern part of Naples and has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995, reflecting its importance as a historical monument.
Despite suffering damage from the 1980 earthquake that led to the demolition of its right wing in 1981, the complex is undergoing restoration funded by national recovery programs to transform it into a cultural center housing a national library and museum.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
