Castel Sant'Elmo, Medieval fortress and museum in Vomero district, Naples, Italy
Castel Sant'Elmo is a hexagonal star-shaped fortress made of tuff stone perched on Vomero Hill, with high walls and multiple levels. The structure offers wide views of the city, the bay, and the coastal landscape in the distance.
Documents record a structure here from 1275, under Charles of Anjou, known as Belforte. In 1329 Robert of Naples had Tino da Camaino enlarge it into a palace, completed in 1343 under Giovanna I; an earthquake damaged it in 1456. From 1537 Don Pedro de Toledo had Pedro Luis Escrivà rebuild it as a six-pointed star fortress, finished by Gian Giacomo dell'Acaya in 1546.
The name comes from a 10th-century church dedicated to Sant'Erasmo, shortened to "Ermo" and then "Elmo". Since 1988 the fortress has held the permanent Museo Napoli Novecento 1910-1980, showing works by Neapolitan artists or artists linked to the city. From 1998 to 2011 it hosted the Napoli Comicon in spring, before the fair moved to the Mostra d'Oltremare in 2012.
Visitors should wear sturdy shoes since paths involve stairs and uneven surfaces, and wind can be strong at the heights. It is wise to arrive in early morning hours to avoid crowds and enjoy the best views.
A railing over 30 feet long carrying a braille inscription was installed in 2015 above the drill grounds on the northernmost wall near the west corner. Nearby stand a large metal helmet and a conical metal sculpture about 15 feet in diameter at its base, with cutouts, set in the drill grounds.
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