Castel dell'Ovo, Naples (Castel dell'Ovo) - the medieval fortress of the Egg. Great arch hall
Castel dell'Ovo (Egg Castle) Castel dell "Ovo (castrum Ovi, in Latin) is the oldest castle in Naples. It is located between the districts of San Ferdinando and Chiaia, opposite Via Partenope. Its name comes from an ancient legend according to which The Latin poet Virgil, who in the Middle Ages was considered a magician, hid an egg in the dungeons of the castle, which contained the power of the fortress.According to legend, if it is broken, not only the castle, but also the city of Naples will be destroyed.
The castle stands on the island of Megaride, a natural extension of Mount Ekiya, which was connected to the mainland by a thin isthmus. It was on this place that the Greek settlers founded in the 8th century BC. e. Naples called Parthenope (named after the mythological siren). In the 60s BC, the Roman military leader and politician Lucius Licinius Lucullus, who became famous not only for his victories over King Mithridates, but also for his wealth and craving for luxury, acquired a very large plot of land in this area, and built a magnificent villa on the island "Villa di Licinio Lucullo", which was famous for its very rich library and peach trees brought from Persia, which were a novelty at that time.
In the later times of the Empire - in the middle of the fifth century - the villa was fortified by Emperor Valentinian III. Here lived in exile Romulus Augustulus (lat. Romulus Augustulus) - the last emperor of the Western Roman Empire, who ruled in 475 - 476. Romulus, distinguished only by his beauty, was enthroned at a young age by his father, the military commander Orestes, who overthrew the emperor Julius Nepos. However, his claims to the throne were not recognized either by the Gallic governor Syagrius or by the ruler of the Eastern Roman Empire. For a minor emperor, his father ruled. As a result, after a ten-month reign, Romulus was overthrown by the leader of the Heruli Odoacer and sent into exile in Campania.
After the death of Romulus Augustulus, the Basilian monks from the Order of St. Basil the Great settled at the end of the fifth century on the islet of Megaris and on Mount Ekiia. The first monasteries of the Byzantine rite in southern Italy were founded by Greeks who fled from Byzantium during the period of iconoclasm. The monastery was razed to the ground at the beginning of the tenth century by the dukes of Naples to prevent it from being taken over by the Saracens, to be used as a base for an invasion of the city, while the monks withdrew to Pizzofalcon. In 1128, by order of the Duke of Naples, a new fortification was erected on the island, called "Arx Sancti Salvatoris".
Roger II (Ruggero II di Sicilia) - the founder and first king (since 1130) of the Sicilian kingdom from the Hauteville dynasty, immigrants from Normandy, sought to subjugate all the independent lands of southern Italy. The last independent duke of Naples, Sergius VII of Naples (Sergio VII Napoli), stubbornly resisted this. In 1131, Sergius tried to support the townspeople of Amalfi with his fleet, but the Sicilian fleet under the command of George of Antioch blocked the Neapolitans in the harbor, and Sergius VII was forced to submit to the king. In 1135, the Pisan fleet under the command of Robert II of Capua appeared in the Gulf of Naples, and Sergius joined him. Roger II laid siege to Naples. The defense of the city continued until the spring of 1136. Sergius VII and Robert of Capuan managed to break through to Pisa, from where they called for the help of Emperor Lothair II. Lothair came with an army to Italy and Naples was freed from the siege, but after the departure of the German army, Roger II easily restored his power. Sergius VII submitted to the king and, fulfilling his vassal duty, took part in the campaign against Rainulf of Alifan in 1137 and died in the battle of Rignano. He left no heirs, and after two years of republican rule, Naples finally became part of the Sicilian kingdom.
Roger II, who occupied Naples in 1140, fortified Castel dell'Ovo. The castle was used for a very short time as a residential residence of the rulers of Naples. The King of Sicily, William I the Evil, ordered the construction of the Capuano Castle (Castel Capuano) in front of the entrance to the " Old city". Under Frederick II, this castle, originally built as a military citadel, becomes a royal residence. Castel dell'Ovo, meanwhile, becomes a powerful fortification that protects the city from the sea, the Norman tower is erected, over which the royal flag fluttered. The castle was further strengthened in 1222 by Frederick II, its northern part was built on the highest ledge of the rock and three more towers were erected: torre di Colleville, torre Maestra and torre di Mezzo. The king places the royal treasury in Castel dell'Ovo. During the reign of Charles I of Anjou, the castle was used as a state prison. The first noble prisoners of Castel del Ovo were the sons of King Manfred of Sicily deposed by Charles I - Henry, Friedrich and Azzolino. Manfred, the son of Emperor Frederick II, was defeated and died in a battle near Benevent fighting with the troops of Charles of Anjou. You can read more about these events in the article about Manfredonia Castle. Conradin, king of Sicily, the last legitimate scion of the imperial house of Hohenstaufen, son of Conrad IV and grandson of Emperor Frederick II, who tried to overthrow Charles I, was also kept in Castel dell'Ovo. At the Battle of Tagliacozzo northeast of Rome in 1268, the French knights won mercenary army of Conradin, he was at first able to escape, but was later captured and handed over to Charles I. He was tried as a traitor and executed on market square in Naples.
Grandson of Charles I - Robert the Wise King of Naples in 1309 - 1343
had two sons. His heir to the throne, Charles, Duke of Calabria, predeceased his father and left behind several daughters. One of them, Giovanna I (1328 - 1382), became Robert's successor on the Neapolitan throne. Having ascended the throne in 1343, the fifteen-year-old queen quickly plunged into an atmosphere of court intrigues, amusements and dubious pleasures. Giovanna's husband Andrew of Hungary claimed the royal title and demanded that Giovanna share power with him. In 1345, the tense relationship of the spouses ended with Andrei being strangled in his own bed by two cousins of the queen, who acted on her orders. A year later, Giovanna married one of them - Louis of Tarentum. The assassination of the king sparked an uprising in Naples, but Giovanna managed to maintain power by promising to punish the assassins. The Hungarian king Lajos I, Andrew's brother, invaded Naples in 1348 to avenge his brother's death. Giovanna and Louis of Tarentum fled to Provence, which belonged to her. Pope Clement became an intermediary between the monarchs and an impartial investigation of the murder of Andrew was carried out under papal control. According to the verdict of the pope, Giovanna was recognized as a participant in the murder, but not guilty, since "she acted at the instigation of the devil." Lajos agreed with the verdict and returned to Hungary, and after that Pope Clement got a new residence in Provence in the city of Avignon...
After an earthquake in 1370, which destroyed the natural isthmus that connected the island of Megarid with the mainland, Queen Giovanna ordered the construction of a stone bridge and the restoration of the damaged castle. Giovanna had no heir, her only son by Andrew of Hungary died in childhood. The queen married her relative Charles Durazzo to her niece Margherita Durazzo and declared her heir. Giovanna was in love with him throughout her life. However, to her displeasure, Carl did not reciprocate. During the church schism, Giovanna joined the party of the Avignon Pope Clement VII, and his opponent, Pope Urban VI, excommunicated Giovanna from the church and recognized Charles Durazzo as king. Giovanna entered into a fourth marriage with Otto of Brunswick, but Charles Durazzo defeated the Neapolitan troops under the command of Otto at San Germano and laid siege to Giovanna in Naples. Charles captured the city and laid siege to Castel dell'Ovo, where Giovanna had taken refuge. After failed attempt Otto lift the siege, Charles captured Giovanna and imprisoned her in Castel dell'Ovo. Charles later ordered his mercenaries to strangle Giovanna in 1382. Charles' relationship with Pope Urban VI deteriorated, and Charles conspired against him. In 1385, the pope excommunicated Charles from the church and imposed an interdict on the Kingdom of Naples. The king responded by sending an army led by Alberico da Barbiano against the pope. Charles left Naples and went to Hungary to take the throne, but as a result of the conspiracy he was mortally wounded and died in 1386. His son Vladislav succeeded him in Naples. His reign was dedicated to the incessant war for control of Southern Italy. In 1407, Vladislav, taking advantage of the conflict between the new Pope Gregory XII and the townspeople, laid siege to Rome and forced the Roman nobility to recognize themselves as the sovereign of Rome with the right to appoint a senator to govern the city. After that, the entire Papal Region submitted to Vladislav, and Pope Gregory XII humbled himself before the king. But this situation did not last long. During 1409 - 1410, the Neapolitan troops were ousted from the Papal States, and in May 1412 Vladislav was defeated at Roccasecca and barely escaped capture. John XXIII reconciled with Vladislav, and Vladislav renounced sovereignty over Rome. In 1413, Vladislav recaptured Rome, his troops reached Perugia, where the king suddenly fell ill and died in August 1414. He left no children and was succeeded by his sister Giovanna II at the age of 41. Giovanna summoned Alphonse V of Aragon to Naples, adopted him and declared him her heir in 1421. After many years of intrigue and her death, he became king of Naples under the name of Alphonse I in 1435.
Alphonse I fortified Castel dell'Ovo, restored the pier, strengthened the defenses and rebuilt the towers of the castle, reducing their height. After death Neapolitan king Fernando I in 1494 claimed the throne of Naples, the French king Charles VIII, who was a relative of the kings of the Angevin dynasty, who previously ruled in Naples. Charles was supported by the Duke of Milan Lodovico Moro and Pope Alexander VI. French troops invaded Italy in 1495 and occupied Naples, while Castel dell'Ovo suffered from French artillery fire. In 1500, Charles's successor, Louis XII, concluded an agreement with Ferdinand the Catholic for the joint conquest of Naples. The event was successful, King Federico II of Naples was overthrown, but the two kings quarreled: Ferdinand demanded to recognize him as king of both Sicily and Naples, which led to a war between France and Castile-Aragon. After the army of Ferdinand under the command of Gonzalo de Córdoba defeated the French at the battle of Cerignol and the battle of Garigliano in 1503, the French troops were driven out of Naples, while during the siege of Castel dell'Ovo, the artillery of Ferdinand the Catholic finally destroyed what left of the towers. Louis had to return to Lombardy.
Then the castle was again and completely renewed, taking the form that we see today. The octagonal towers were rebuilt, the walls were thickened, and the defenses were oriented towards the land instead of the sea.
During the reign of the Spanish viceroys and later the Bourbons, the castle was additionally fortified with artillery batteries and two drawbridges. Castel dell'Ovo has been used since the 18th century as an asylum and military outpost from which the Spaniards bombarded the city during Masaniello's movements, and a prison where, among others, Tommaso Campanella was kept in 1614 - Italian philosopher, theologian and writer, author utopian treatise "City of the Sun", one of the most significant thinkers of the late Renaissance. Many carbonari and liberals visited the dungeons of the castle, including Carlo Poerio, Luigi Settembrini, Francesco de Sanctis.
During the "Risanamento" period that changed the face of Naples after the unification of Italy, a project developed by the Association of Literature and Artists in 1871 involved the destruction of the castle to make way for a new district. However, this project was not implemented, and the building remained the property of the state. Restoration work began in 1975.
Castel dell'Ovo can be visited for free. Its premises host exhibitions, congresses and other events. Near the castle is the tourist harbor "Borgo Marinari", numerous restaurants, bars and one of the most prestigious Neapolitan nautical clubs. on weekdays from 9.00 to 18.30 - entrance closes at 18.00
on weekends and Sundays from 9.00 to 14.00 - entrance closes at 13.30
The oldest castle in Naples like a ship sailing towards the city. The construction has preserved the foundation, built in the XII century by the Normans. Resourceful Neapolitans composed interesting legend, capable of stopping attempts to demolish the object. The name Castel del Ovo is also associated with it, which means the fortress or castle of the Egg.
Castel dell'Ovo is medieval. The castle was built on a miniature island. Under its solid size - up to 200 m in length and 45 m in width - almost the entire piece of land is allocated. The island is connected to the shore by a high embankment and a convenient road leading directly to the fortress.
How can a traveler be indifferent to such a view as in this photo? Moreover, there are several points in favor of visiting the fortress.
Firstly, Castel dell'Ovo is so conveniently located that it is not difficult to get to it. Walk along the waterfront of Naples - turn into a sea fortress. Explore the sights of Plebiscito Square - del Ovo is almost nearby.
Secondly, the tour of the Egg Castle is completely free. Well, you see, this is an obvious plus. Thirdly, an excellent overview of the islands, Ischia, Procida and, of course, Naples itself opens up from the walls and squares of the fortress.
So, let's find out what the legend of the castle tells about, and go on a tour.
The legend of Castel dell'Ovo
For the first time on the island where Castel dell'Ovo stands, a certain Roman commander built in the 1st century BC. own villa. This historical fact, not a legend. At the same time, the great poet Virgil lived and worked in the Roman Empire, who created the epic of the Aeneid and many other large and small works. In his youth, he even studied in Naples. This is also a fact.
Allegedly, Virgil came up with a magical guard for buildings, which is also applied to this fortress. Putting the egg in a jug of water, he placed it in an iron cage. The cage was hung on an oak beam in the most secluded basement of the castle. The main magic is that while the egg is kept intact, until then not only the castle is protected, but the whole of Naples.
The legend cunningly omitted the circumstances about when the egg settled in the foundations of the structure. Either the poet-soothsayer personally placed it in the foundation of the first villa on the island, or the Italo-Normans, who built the castle on the ruins of previous buildings, took advantage of this idea. Be that as it may, the legend works. And, if someone's hot head wants to remove the fortress, the indignant public of Italy will not allow this.
Believe the legend is the cause original name castle. Realists who disagree with this idea can take a closer look at the first photograph. Because the second version of the name is a form of a fortress.
Guided tour of the Castle dell'Ovo
The oldest castle in Naples has existed since 1139. At first, it was a fortified dwelling of the rulers, until Charles of Anjou wished to move his court from Tyrrhenian Sea on land. As soon as a new castle was erected on the shore, the purpose of the fortress del Ovo narrowed. Some state institutions and a prison operated within its walls. The place is suitable.
How fortification, the fortress withstood many attacks and shelling in its lifetime. The significantly damaged object was restored at the end of the 20th century and has since been opened for inspection, organizing small exhibitions.
This painting depicts medieval Naples. Nuovo Castle stands out in the foreground, and on top of the mountain -.
In the lower part of the building, architectural elements have been preserved from the time when Castel dell'Ovo was a royal residence.
Numerous open areas of the castle have been perfectly restored, allowing you to view the city from the sea, or the entire Gulf of Naples, or.
It is interesting that at present there are no permanent offices in such solid walls. The castle has several rooms where exhibitions and conferences are held. In normal times, they are completely empty and, accordingly, are equipped only upon request for such a business event. Perhaps the waving flags in the photo just signal the upcoming event.
The upper part of the castle ends with bastions, where medieval tools are installed. An excellent viewing platform for the sea and urban landscapes.
Here, on the curbs, there are ceramic paintings with views of the coast and the designation of sights. You can explore the surroundings and immediately determine on the ceramic map what is where. It looks like these pictures were posted just in 2018.
Here is another exhibit relevant to the history of the castle del Ovo. Since the magic egg is mentioned, there must be a rooster as well...
As I mentioned, the fortress occupies almost the entire island. But since the 19th century, several fishing houses have appeared near its eastern wall. This territory has been mastered even now. Only restaurants and trattorias came to replace the fishermen's housing.
For this reason, tourists look at the island not only for excursions, but also to refresh themselves.
If you are still more interested in visiting Castel dell'Ovo, be guided by the opening hours 9.00 - 18.30. The fortress is open daily, on Sunday and holidays- up to 14 hours. Let me remind you, this is the pleasant case when the cost will not worry.
Your euro guide Tatiana
One of the main attractions of the city is the ancient Egg Castle (Castel dell'Ovo), so named because of its configuration.
Castel dell'Ovo is a complex of towers from different eras, combined into a single complex, resembling a huge stone ship.
This medieval fortress on an island in the Tyrrhenian Sea connected by a narrow embankment to Naples. It is assumed that it was here in the VI century. BC e. and this city was founded by Greek colonists.
In the Roman era, the commander Lucullus was the first to be seduced by the location of the island and built his villa here. Under Emperor Valentinian III, the island was fortified in case of attack, and here in 476 its last emperor, Romulus Augustulus, was removed from Ravenna. Then, for several centuries, only monks lived on the island. In the 9th century, the Neapolitans were forced to demolish the fortifications in order to prevent their capture by the Saracens.
Subsequently, the Normans and Angevins expanded and strengthened the tufa structure.
In the 17th century during the reign of Charles I of Anjou and Alphonse of Aragon, the castle was adapted for a prison, in the casemates of which the monk-philosopher Tommaso Campanella languished among other prisoners.
The current castle was built by Roger of Sicily in 1139 to protect the city from the sea and was named for its unusual shape.
According to another version, its name Castel dell'Ovo received because of a magic egg hidden under the castle by Virgil. According to medieval legend, the Latin poet Virgil, who in antiquity was also considered a great magician, hung a jug with an egg in one of the rooms of the castle. It was believed that when the jar fell and broke, the castle and the whole city would turn into ruins.
A hundred years later, the royal court moved to Castel Nuovo, and the king's treasury and judicial institutions remained in the old castle.
In the 15th century, the fortress was strengthened in case of cannon fire. This was very useful, since during the Italian wars Castel dell'Ovo had to withstand the fire of French guns.
A visit to the castle is fraught with many interesting things. You can admire the bastions of yellow tuff, the refectory of the monks, and from the terraces of the upper floors a magnificent panorama of the bay opens up to Cape Posillipo with the island of Capri in front of it. Inside the castle, elements of medieval constructions alternate with Gothic ones, as well as with more ancient ones, such as, for example, the remains of a cult place called San Salvatore. Torre Maestra and Torre Normadia (Tower - Mast and Norman Tower) deserve special attention.
Stretched along the embankment big park with many sculptures and fountains. In the Aquarium, which consists of 30 tanks, you can observe various inhabitants of the sea.
By the way Egg Castle like two drops similar to the castle of If) And at the bottom of the fortress, under the gates of Porta Santa Lucia, there are many fish restaurants.
The medieval castle of Castel dell'Ovo in Naples is located on small island Santa Lucia, which is connected to the mainland by a narrow embankment. It is from this place that the history of the first city, built here in the 6th century BC, begins.
This is one of the oldest castles in Naples, which is definitely worth a look. Him interesting story, unique architecture, and observation deck offers a breathtaking view of Gulf of Naples and the whole city.
The name of the castle is translated as "Egg Castle". Why? Find out from the article.
History of Castel dell'Ovo
The first city, named Parthenopeia, was founded on the island of Megaris in the 6th century BC by the first settlers from Qom. During the Roman Empire in the 1st century BC. the commander Lucius Lucullus built a rich palace here, and during the reign of Emperor Valentinian III, the island was carefully fortified. After that, in 476, the last emperor, Romulus Augustulus, was brought here.
monks and monastery
In the period from 492 to 496, several monks belonging to the Order of St. Basil arrived on the island and brought with them the relics of St. Severin Nikorsky. They lived on an island in cells that were carved into the rocks. These cells can still be seen today.
In the 8th century, a monastery was built on the island, called the Abode of the Savior, where the monks moved. Cells began to be used for secret rituals, as well as a necropolis.
Castle construction
The construction of the castle is attributed to the Norman Roger II of Sicily, who in 1139 captured these lands and built impregnable fortress Castel dell'Ovo. This castle became his residence.
In the 14th century, during a strong earthquake, a significant part of the interior of the castle collapsed. Fortunately, these structures were restored by the architect Giovanni de Giulio.
Fortress
In 1503, the castle was besieged by Ferdinand II of Aragon, when the northern part of the fortress was badly damaged due to a mine explosion. Subsequently, a reconstruction was carried out and this part of the castle turned into a huge hall with a vault, called Italian and used at that time as a stable.
From 1503 to 1734, the castle was a completely military fortification, and not a royal residence. So, in 1693, the Ramalletto battery appeared on its western side.
Jail
In the 18th century the castle was used as a prison. The poet and philosopher Tommaso Campanella was imprisoned here, as well as political figures of the 19th century - Carlo Poerio, Francesco di Sanctis, Luigi Settembrini.
modern times
Today, the castle often hosts exhibitions and various concerts. On the eve of major holidays, fireworks and bright lights are lit here.
Be sure to climb to the very top of the fortress to admire the beautiful view of all of Naples! You will have a view of (Palazzo Reale di Napoli), Castel Nuovo, a port with beautiful liners, (Castel Sant'Elmo), as well as.
Architecture of Castel dell'Ovo
The castle looks very monumental and impressive, as befits medieval castles of the 11th-13th centuries. Although it has an unusual elongated shape. In the architecture of the fortress, many arches stand out, which are decorated with antique columns and pilasters.
towers
Despite numerous damages to the fortress during its history, the main walls and construction of the castle have been preserved since the 9th century. Then the castle was divided into northern and southern parts with the help of an arch. The northern part, built in the 16th century, includes the Colleville Tower, connected to the Great Bastion. The southern part, built in the 14th century, includes big tower, the Middle Tower, where the Church of St. Salvator is located, and the Norman Tower.
The Norman tower was used as the main bastion of the castle, on top of which the Norman flag was installed. This tower was distinguished by very thick walls and served to protect the southern ledge of the fortress. At its base on the western side there is a large window through which the sea is clearly visible.
Bastion
The Ramalletto battery is a bastion that appeared during the Spanish rule. It housed 60 guns. The bastion is connected to the main body of the castle, forming a wing, on the edge of which there is a large tower.
Great arch hall
At present, the castle is no longer divided into two parts, since during the reconstruction the Hall of the large arch was formed.
Hall of Columns
Of particular interest are the Hall of Columns from the time of the Angevin rule and the Prison of Queen Giovanna - this is an interesting underground room next to the entrance to the castle, which was carved into the rock.
Church
Also in the castle is the Church of St. Peter, which was built in the 14th century. In 1847, its interior was completely changed, so the original appearance of the church has not been preserved to this day.
Museum
At the end of the tour you can visit historical Museum located on the territory of the castle. There are not only household items of the Neapolitans of the 14th-16th centuries, but also paintings by famous artists such as Titian and Vaccaro.
Legends of Castel dell'Ovo
Many legends are connected with the origin of the name of the castle. Castel dell'Ovo is Italian for "Castle of the Egg". There are two versions of the origin of such a strange name.
The first of them says that the castle was named so because of its elongated shape, reminiscent of an egg. According to another legend, the Roman magician Virgil hid a magic egg under the fortress, thanks to which the walls of the castle are held.
At the foot of the castle, there are many restaurants and bars where you can relax after sightseeing and enjoy delicious local cuisine.
How to get to Castel dell'Ovo
Castel dell'Ovo is located near Piazza del Plebiscito at Via Eldorado 3. If you go by bus, you need bus number C25, which you can find on any map of Naples. The stop at the castle is called Via Partenope.
Opening hours
The castle is open on weekdays from 8.00 to 19.00, and on weekends and holidays - from 8.00 to 14.00.
Cost of visiting
Entry to Castel dell'Ovo is free as of 2019.
Near the Castel dell'Ovo castle is the Plebiscite Square - the central square of Naples, in the center of which stands a statue of the Italian king Victor Emmanuel II. Here you can visit the famous Royal Palace and the Church of St. Francis of Paola. In the center stands an equestrian statue of Victor Emmanuel II, the king who united Italy.
Excursions in Naples
Would you like an experienced guide to tour Naples? Of course, it will be better if your guide - local who will introduce you to the city like no other.
Look at the most interesting and unusual excursions on the site.
Castel dell'Ovo means "Egg Castle" in Italian. The fortress was built in the Middle Ages on the island of Megaris in the Tyrrhenian Sea. The attraction is considered because the island is connected to the city by a narrow embankment.
Presumably, the history of the city began from this island. The ancient Greeks laid the first stones here in the distant VI century. BC.
During the period of the Roman Empire, a villa was built here for the commander Lucullus. He liked the location of the island.
For the next centuries, the castle served as a haven for monks.
The castle acquired its present form in 1139 under the leadership of Roger of Sicily. He built it to protect against enemies from the sea. Castel dell'Ovo was named for its oval shape, although according to other versions, the name came from an egg hidden under the castle.
Over the centuries that have passed, the fortress has undergone changes: destruction due to earthquakes, attacks by French artillery in the 16th century, damage during the Italian wars. And yet, the building has been preserved in the form in which it was erected 9 centuries ago.
The purpose of the structure also changed. First, a place for the ruling elite, then the repository of the royal treasury. Since the 18th century, Castel dell'Ovo has been a military fortress and even a prison. Today it is a tourist attraction, often used for exhibitions, festivals and symposiums.
