Castel Nuovo, Medieval castle in Naples, Italy
Castel Nuovo is a medieval fortress by the harbor in Naples, built around five round defensive towers linked by thick stone walls. The main entrance features a white marble arch in Renaissance style that rises between two watchtowers, creating a clear break in the Gothic walls.
Charles I of Anjou ordered the construction of this fortress in 1279 to create a new royal residence that would show his control over the Kingdom of Naples. Under architect Pierre de Chaulnes, the work was finished within five years and later served as a seat of government for several ruling families.
The building is also known as Maschio Angioino, a name that points to the period of French rule and shows how political shifts left their mark on the architecture. Fresco fragments in the chapel and council meetings in the Barons Hall make the fortress a place where past and present meet in daily use.
Entry to the fortress is possible Monday through Saturday during morning and afternoon hours, with shorter Sunday access ending by early afternoon. The chapel and Barons Hall are part of the tour route, and rooms are connected by staircases that are not suitable for wheelchairs.
In the armory room, a glass floor reveals a level from Roman times, showing ancient remains directly beneath visitors' feet. This perspective connects the medieval fortress to the older city below and shows the different layers from which modern Naples has grown.
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