Palazzo dello Spagnolo

Palazzo dello Spagnolo is a baroque palace in the Rione Sanità neighborhood of Naples, Italy, known for its exceptional architecture. At its center stands a monumental double ramp staircase that spirals around an octagonal courtyard, adorned with intricate stucco work by Aniello Prezioso.

Architect Ferdinando Sanfelice designed the palace in 1738 for Marquis Nicola Moscati. Tommaso Atienza acquired parts of the building in the late 18th century, which led to the name it carries today.

The palace takes its name from a Spanish nobleman who lived here in the late 18th century, and it still displays the ornamental style typical of Neapolitan Baroque buildings. Visitors can observe the elaborate stucco decorations in the courtyard, which once emphasized the social standing of its owners.

The palace is located at Via dei Vergini 19 and can be reached from Piazza Cavour station on Metro Line 2 or by buses C51 and C52. The streets in the Sanità district are sometimes steep and uneven, so comfortable shoes are recommended for your visit.

The unusual double staircase is locally called hawk wings, and it earned the architect Sanfelice the nickname Levata sotto among neighbors. This design allowed residents from different floors to ascend without crossing paths, reflecting social customs of the period.

Location: Naples

Inception: 1738

Architects: Ferdinando Sanfelice

Architectural style: Neapolitan baroque art

GPS coordinates: 40.85680,14.25440

Latest update: December 20, 2025 00:36