The Maschio Angioino, also known as Castel Nuovo, is one of the city symbols. Overlooking the wonderful Gulf of Naples and Piazza Municipio, the historical medieval and later Renaissance castle was built at the behest of Charles I of Anjou. After expelling the Swabians in 1266, he came to the throne and moved the capital from Palermo to ancient Partenope. Among the most important rulers who succeeded one another was Alfonso of Aragon who, in 1443, upon conquering Naples, had a court established in his new royal residence to compete with the Florentine court of Lorenzo the Magnificent. Completely renovated, the Angevin fortress was designed in Gothic-Catalan terms. With the Bourbons, it later hosted the artillery arsenal and a “pyrotechnic workshop”.
Over the centuries, the Maschio Angioino has hosted famous personalities from the religious, cultural and artistic world, such as Giovanni Boccaccio, Francesco Petrarca, Giotto, Pope Boniface VIII and Pope Celestine V. Today, it hosts the Civic Museum where the Palatine Chapel, the Armoury Room, the Baron’s Room or Sala Maior, and the beautiful Chapel of the souls in Purgatory can be visited. The Charles V Hall and the Sala della Loggia are reserved for temporary events and exhibitions.