Castel Sant'Elmo

Castel Sant'Elmo crowns the Vomero hill above Naples on Via Tito Angelini, commanding the whole city, the port and the Gulf of Naples. The first fortress, called Belforte, was built from 1329 under Robert of Anjou, and the early design is associated with the sculptor-architect Tino di Camaino and Attanasio Primario. The present star-shaped fortress is the work of the Spanish viceregal period: Viceroy Pedro de Toledo had it rebuilt from 1537 to 1546 by the military engineer Pedro Luis Escriva, and it became an instrument for controlling the city rather than defending it from outside. The castle was later used as a prison, and in 1799 the republicans of the Parthenopean Republic held it in the revolution against the Bourbons. The architecture is a six-pointed star cut out of the yellow tuff of the hill, with deep moats, ramparts, casemates and a large parade ground in the centre. Inside, the walkways connect the courtyard to the upper terraces, and the castle houses the Museo del Novecento a Napoli, a collection of 20th-century art, along with temporary exhibitions. Restoration work from the 20th century brought the fortress back into public use, and the structure is well preserved though large and exposed. The ramparts offer one of the best panoramas in Italy, taking in the historic centre, Vesuvius, Capri and the bay. Admission is around EUR 5, and the castle is closed on Tuesday. From the centre, visitors usually take the funicular from Montesanto or Chiaia to the Vomero or the Metro Line 1 to Vanvitelli, followed by a short walk. The nearby Certosa di San Martino shares the same hilltop and is a natural companion visit.