Sant'Elmo Castle, Naples

The medieval castle of Sant'Elmo sits on the Vomero hill in Naples. This fortification built in the 14th century to protect the city from attacks from the sea has witnessed numerous historical events. For a long time, Castel Sant'Elmo served as a prison. Today, the majestic hexagonal castle is a prime tourist spot in the city. Inside the castle, there is the art museum of Bruno Molajoli, whereas a ground on top of the castle offers amazing views over the city, the bay, Castel Nuovo and Vesuvius. In addition, Sant'Elmo houses offices of various organizations and companies. The Certosa di San Martino, a Carthusian monastery, neighbours the castle.

History of Sant'Elmo

The name of the castle derives from the name of the 10th-century church of St. Erasmus (also Elm, Ermo, Erasmus of Formia), which has not survived to this day. The construction of Sant'Elmo began in 1329 during the reign of King Robert of Anjou and was completed in 1343, the year of the monarch's death.

In the period from 1537 to 1546, the castle was rebuilt for the viceroy of King Pedro Alvarez de Toledo and, as a result, acquired its hexagonal form. An heir of the Russian tzar, Alexei Petrovich, stayed at the castle in 1717, avoiding the persecution of his father. In 1799, the fortress was the main symbol of the Neapolitan republic. In the course of a large-scale reconstruction of the building, which began in 1976 and lasted 7 years, its premises were remodeled into exhibition halls.

How to get there

A walk to the castle of St Erasmus is quite exhausting. The easiest way to get there is to jump in a funicular or take the bus No. V1.

Opening hours: the castle is open daily from 08:30 to 18:30. The entrance fee is 5 euros. What attracts tourists most is a superb panorama from the viewing platform on top of Sant'Elmo.