Castel Sant'Elmo in Naples

Castel Sant'Elmo is a constant reference every time I look up at the sky of Naples. This stunning castle, once known as Belforte, proudly stands on the Vomero hill, located where, starting from the 10th century, there was a church dedicated to St. Erasmus, hence the name Ermo and later Elmo.

The first documented mention of the castle dates back to 1329, when the Angevin dynasty wanted to provide the city with a new defense tool. During the reign of the viceroy Don Pedro de Toledo, who in 1537 commissioned the reconstruction of the entire structure to Pedro Luis Escrivà, an expert military architect, the castle experienced a period of great splendor.

Designed to be a fortress, Castel Sant'Elmo has the shape of a six-pointed star and along the top of the bastions are wide corridors still accessible today.

With its large gun emplacements placed on the bastions and high walls surrounded by a deep moat, it was a structure ideally suited for strategic and defensive tasks. In the 16th century, Castel Sant'Elmo also served as a prison where, among others, Tommaso Campanella was imprisoned.

In 1587, a lightning strike hit the ammunition depot, causing severe damage to the church, the castellano's building, and the soldiers' residences. In 1599, work began on the reconstruction of the castle, finishing in 1610 under the guidance of Domenico Fontana.

The 17th and 18th centuries were periods of great turbulence for the fortress as it was the protagonist of many popular rebellions and underwent numerous attacks: during the uprisings of 1799, it was stormed by the people and then dominated by the republicans, who lowered the flag of the nascent Neapolitan Republic in the famous parade ground.

In 1982, the entire monumental complex was entrusted to the supervision of the Superintendency for Artistic and Historical Heritage of Naples, which made the upper floor of the prison the site of the Art History Library. Currently, the castle hosts events and temporary cultural exhibitions, as well as conferences and meetings.

The itinerary for a complete visit of the castle starts from the main entrance to reach the parade ground from which you can access one of the corridors that offers a breathtaking view of the city of Naples. To enter the castle, one must cross a steep ramp and walk across a small bridge.

After the little bridge, there is the Hermit's Cave, the cave that, according to tradition, in ancient times welcomed an ascetic. Further on, the impressive piperno portal with the imperial coat of arms of Charles V: a double-headed eagle, stands. Going up to the left, there is a guillotine gate made in the style of the Napoleonic era.

Following this second entrance, the final ramp begins that leads to the summit of the fortress.

Further on the right is a portal made of piperno and tuff that leads into the rooms that once served as a prison.

Upon arriving at the Parade Ground, one encounters the Tower of the Castellano and we highly recommend walking the panoramic corridors in this area to enjoy a unique view of the city, with its islands, gulf, and mountains, which can never be fully grasped by the eye due to their beauty.

Where: Vomero Hill How to get there: from downtown Naples, you can take the metro Line 1 stop Vanvitelli and then proceed on foot, or use either the Montesanto funicular stopping at Morghen or the Central funicular stopping at Piazza Fuga. Opening hours: the castle is open every day from 8:30 AM to 7:30 PM, except on Tuesdays. On Tuesdays, the Parade Ground, the ramparts, and the pedestrian walkways are open for visits.Ticket price: full price: $5.00, reduced: $2.50, Tuesdays: $2.50