Attraction
National Archaeological Museum of Naples (MANN)
One of the world's great archaeological museums, holding the Farnese sculptures and the mosaics, frescoes and objects excavated at Pompeii and Herculaneum.
Castel Nuovo (Maschio Angioino)
Medieval castle facing Piazza Municipio, with a Renaissance triumphal arch, the vaulted Sala dei Baroni, a palatine chapel and the civic art museum.
At a glance
- Type
- Castle and civic museum
- Area
- San Ferdinando, Naples, Italy
- Opening
- Open 6 days a week (closed Sunday) · 09:00–18:00
- Official site
- comune.napoli.it
Good to know
- Civic museum
- Monumental courtyard
- Archaeological route
- Card payment
- Under-18s free
Why we recommend it
Castel Nuovo, which Neapolitans call the Maschio Angioino, is the towered castle that faces the port and Piazza Municipio. Charles I of Anjou began it in 1279 after moving the capital of his kingdom to Naples, and his successor Charles II moved the court here. After Alfonso V of Aragon took the city in 1443, the fortress was largely rebuilt in Catalan Gothic style by Guillem Sagrera, with work completed in 1479.
The most famous feature is the white marble triumphal arch squeezed between two towers on the western side, built in 1470 to celebrate Alfonso's entry into Naples and attributed by modern scholars to Francesco Laurana. Inside the monumental courtyard you reach the Sala dei Baroni, a huge hall with an octagonal vault, where in 1486 King Ferdinand I had conspiring barons arrested at a feast. The Palatine Chapel, the only surviving part of the original Angevin castle, has a Renaissance portal with reliefs by Laurana. An archaeological route in the former armoury hall shows remains found during excavations. The civic museum fills the upper floors with paintings from the 15th to the 20th centuries, including Neapolitan baroque works and views of the city.
The castle opens from Monday to Saturday, 9.00 to 18.00, with last entry at 17.30, and is closed on Sundays and public holidays apart from special openings. Under-18s enter free, and tickets can be paid by card at the ticket office or bought online on the city's ticketing site. Some rooms close at short notice for events or civic ceremonies, as the Sala dei Baroni is used by the city council, so check before you go if a particular room matters to you. Allow 60 to 90 minutes.
It is a good stop for families, since children usually enjoy the towers, moat and courtyard, and it fits easily into a walk between the port and the Royal Palace.
The castle stands at the bottom of Piazza Municipio, opposite the city hall and close to the Molo Beverello ferry terminal for Capri, Ischia and Sorrento. Municipio station on metro Lines 1 and 6 is right outside, and the Teatro di San Carlo and Galleria Umberto I are five minutes away on foot.
Castel Nuovo (Maschio Angioino) FAQs
When is Castel Nuovo open?
Monday to Saturday from 9.00 to 18.00, last entry 17.30; it is closed on Sundays and holidays except for special openings.
What is inside Castel Nuovo?
The Sala dei Baroni, the Palatine Chapel, an archaeological route under the armoury hall and the civic museum's paintings.
Do children pay?
Under-18s enter free.
Can I pay by card?
Yes, the ticket office accepts card payments, and tickets are also sold online on the city's ticketing site.
How long should I allow?
Around 60 to 90 minutes.
Why is it called the Maschio Angioino?
It was built by the Angevin (Anjou) kings, starting with Charles I of Anjou in 1279.
How do I get there?
Municipio station on metro Lines 1 and 6 is right next to the castle.
Is it near the ferry port?
Yes, the Molo Beverello ferry terminal is a few minutes' walk away.