New castle

The new castle, or Castel Nuovo, built in 1266 by Charles of Anjou, is one of the symbols of Naples. This castle was built on the coast in connection with the transfer of the royal residence from Palermo and became a kind of symbol of the city for guests arriving from the sea to Naples. The construction of the castle began in 1279 under the supervision of French military engineers and lasted for three years. Until 1799, the castle was the residence of the king.

In terms of the castle is a trapezoid irregular shape. The main facade is formed by three towers, behind two of which is the Arc de Triomphe – a fine example of Renaissance architecture. The arch was built in honor of the accession of King Alfonso I of Naples and has several levels. On the lower tier there are Corinthian columns and depicting the king with a retinue of bas-relief. The frieze of the second tier depicts the triumphal entrance of Alphonse to Naples. On the third tier in four niches there are statues symbolizing Temperance, Power, Justice and Mercy. On the pediment there is a statue of Archangel Michael, the patron saint of Christian warrior rulers.

Behind the Arc de Triomphe is a spacious courtyard leading to the Hall of Barons, where city council meetings are held. The Hall of Barons became famous for the fact that Ferdinand I of Aragon in 1486 brutally dealt with the rebellious barons in it.

For centuries, the New Castle was the residence of the Courts of Anjou and Aragon, having undergone several reconstructions during this time. During the restoration in the early XX century, the castle was returned to its original appearance.