Palazzo Diomede Carafa, Renaissance palace in Naples historical center, Italy
Palazzo Diomede Carafa is a Renaissance palace in Naples' historic center, distinguished by its striking facade of alternating yellow and gray stonework featuring twelve recessed niches. These niches once held statues representing members of the Carafa family.
Construction of the palace began in the 15th century under architect Angelo Aniello Fiore. The building underwent restoration in 1466, as documented by a plaque commissioned by Diomede Carafa.
The palace's name comes from Diomede Carafa, first count of Maddaloni, who had it rebuilt to house antiquities found in the city. The 1466 Latin inscription in the courtyard honours his work. The twelve faded niches on the facade depict members of the Carafa lineage, and the family crest and steelyard appear on the portal and on the twelve panels of the wooden door.
The palace sits at Via San Biagio dei Librai 119-121 in the heart of Naples' old town quarter. From Universita metro station, it is easily reached by following Via Corso Umberto I.
The horse head in the courtyard is a terracotta copy of a bronze made by Donatello for an equestrian monument to King Alfonso V of Aragon that was never completed. The original remained in the palace until 1809, when the last Carafa prince of Colubrano donated it to the National Archaeological Museum of Naples.
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