La Santarella, Neo-Renaissance villa in Vomero, Naples, Italy.

La Santarella is a villa on the Vomero hilltop with a square structure, four protruding towers, and crenellations, displaying features of Neapolitan Art Nouveau architecture. The building combines historical style elements with a distinctive silhouette visible across the city's hilly landscape.

Villa La Santarella was built at the end of the 19th century for the playwright Eduardo Scarpetta, following his own instructions and using the proceeds of his comedy 'Na santarella'. The engineer Gioacchino Luigi Mellucci drew up the project. In 1911 Scarpetta sold the villa because his wife was afraid to live there alone during his tours. A raised third level was probably added around the mid-20th century.

The building takes its name from Scarpetta's successful comedy 'Na santarella', with a stucco relief at the entrance showing a scene from the play. The name reflects the strong bond between the artist's home and his creative work.

The residence sits atop the Vomero hilltop and offers visitors access to multiple transportation options as well as cultural attractions in nearby Naples. The neighborhood is hilly, so be prepared for slopes and an uneven terrain layout.

On the facade Scarpetta had the Italian words "Qui rido io" written, not a French phrase: if audiences laughed at his jokes in the theatre, here it was he who laughed. A life-sized statue of the playwright stands in the entrance hall, near another of the actress who played Santarella.