A visit to Naples wouldn’t be complete without checking out at least one of the following castles.
Castel Nuovo
Castel Nuovo is a spectacular medieval castle with a fantastic view of the Bay of Naples. The cost of admission is 6 Euros, cash only. Inside, the castle is home to an excellent collection of Medieval paintings, relics, and various works of art created by Neopolitan artists. It is also home to an archeological excavation of a crypt, which has been covered by a glass floor so that visitors can walk over the top of the excavation site, peering through the glass at human remains. It is as fascinating as it is unnerving.
Castel Sant’Elmo
Castel Sant’Elmo is perhaps one of the most difficult destinations to find on foot. However, the trip is well worth the effort. There are two tickets available for purchase, a 6 Euro ticket which includes admission to the inside of the castle as well as admission to the top of the castle, whereas a 3 Euro ticket only includes admission to the top of the castle. It’s important to know that Castel Sant’Elmo only accepts cash and is closed on Tuesdays.
Inside the Castle
Inside the castle, then there is a small and somewhat disappointing (not in quality, but in quantity) exhibit of Baroque artwork, all of which is very dark and religious in theme. There is also a video about how the works of art in the museum have been restored, but it’s more like an amateur music video with no words, no information images that fly across the screen at a sickening pace.
However, despite the disappointments, there is one temporary exhibit worth the price of admission, and that is The Machine for the Forty Hours. The Machine for the Forty Hours was a machine built in the late 1600s that was used to lure people into the church during Lent. It has a fascinating history.
On Top of the Castle
The top of Castel Sant’Elmo offers not only spectacular panoramic views of Naples but also a peaceful respite from the chaos in the city far below. Along with the views, there is also another museum called Novecento, a Napoli, which houses artwork from Neopolitan artists from the 1900s. The price of admission is 3 Euros.
How to Walk to Castel Sant’Elmo
Getting to Castel Sant’Elmo can be tricky thanks to the maze-like layout of Neopolitan roads, so here are directions for how to walk there. This walk isn’t for the faint of heart as it is uphill all the way and includes a staircase that switches back and forth up a hill and contains around 300 steps. Be sure to bring water and snacks or plan to grab a refreshing beverage from the bar at the summit.
The walk begins at Piazza Nicola Amore, is 2.7 km long, and winds through The Spanish Quarter and several residential neighborhoods of Naples. It should take between 30 and 45 minutes to complete.
From Piazza Nicola Amore, head southwest on Corso Umberto I.
At Via Mezzocannone, turn right. Via Mezzocannone is the small street opposite the statue of Ruggerio Bonghi.
Turn left on Vico San Domenico Maggiore.
Make another immediate left onto Via Benedetto Crocce, which becomes Via Maddaloni, then Via Pasquale Scura.
Via Pasquale Scura will end at Via Francesco Girardi. Turn right onto Via Francesco Girardi.
Turn right onto Vica Trinita della Monache.
Vica Trinita della Monache will dead end at Corso Vittorio Emanuele.
Cross Corso Vittorio Emanuele, then turn right and continue northeast on Corso Vittorio Emanuele.
Turn left at a tiny alley-like street called Via Pedamentina San Martino. Continue up this road, which turns into a staircase that switchbacks uphill until it ends at Certosa di San Martino and Castel Sant’Elmo.
The places listed in this series of articles are by no means an exhaustive list of things to do in Naples. Naples is home to hundreds of gorgeous churches and cathedrals, a royal palace, and even another castle called Castel Dell’Ovo.
For a truly interesting trip, plan a day or two to simply wander through the historic district called Spaccanapoli and slip into random churches and cathedrals and enjoy exploring. Remember to stop and look around once in a while. The buildings in Naples are so tightly packed together that it’s easy to walk past a spectacular cathedral and not even know it.
