Castel dell’Ovo

Positioned on the waterfront, the Castel dell'Ovo is the oldest castle in Naples, an imposing fortress reflected in the waters of the Gulf. The legendary name comes from an egg placed in the foundations by Virgil to protect the city.

As soon as you cross the archway into the small Borgo Marinari, the pace almost slows down on its own: among ancient Norman walls, fishermen's boats and small restaurants on the water, time seems to dilate. Climbing the ramparts of the Castel dell'Ovo, built on a tuff islet that has been inhabited since Roman times, the gaze embraces the Vesuvius, the hill of Posillipo and the perfect curve of the seafront Caracciolo.

In the inner courtyards, colonnades and cisterns tell the story of the passage of Greeks, Swabians, Angevins e Bourbon; in the upper rooms, temporary exhibitions of photography and contemporary art dialogue with the thousand-year-old stone.

At sunset, when the sky turns orange and the sea breeze brings the smell of saltiness, the castle becomes the ideal place for a romantic walk or for an unforgettable panoramic shot. After your visit you can stop and enjoy a glass of Falanghina in the Borgo's premises: with the lights reflecting in the sea, you'll feel like you're living in a painting.