Castel Sant'Elmo e Museo del Novecento a Napoli

About the museum

Castel Sant’Elmo stands on the Vomero hill, about 250 metres above sea level, on the site of a church dedicated to St Erasmus and a Norman watchtower called Belforte. In 1329 King Robert of Anjou ordered the construction of a fortified palace, completed in 1343 under Joanna I. Because of its strategic position the castle was long contested and endured numerous sieges.

The present appearance is due to the reconstruction commissioned in 1537 by the viceroy Pedro de Toledo to a design by Pedro Luis Escrivá: a six-pointed star-shaped plan, partly carved into the tuff, with large gun embrasures at the corners and a moat. After the explosion of the powder magazine in 1587 the castle was restored by 1610 and also became a prison, where, among others, Tommaso Campanella and several patriots of the Neapolitan Republic of 1799 were held. It served as a military prison until 1952.

After a major restoration begun in 1976, the castle opened to the public on 15 May 1988. Since 2014 it has been managed by the Ministry of Culture, now through the Direzione regionale Musei nazionali Campania. The Museo del Novecento a Napoli, with over 170 works by Neapolitan artists of the 20th century, is housed in the former Carcere Alto; from the Piazza d’Armi there is a view over the city, Vesuvius and the gulf.

Highlights

• Six-pointed star-shaped plan of the 16th century, partly carved into the tuff
• Piazza d’Armi with views of Naples, Vesuvius and the gulf
• Museo del Novecento a Napoli with over 170 works by Neapolitan artists
• Historic prison cells with inscriptions left by prisoners
• Church of Sant’Erasmo and the Torre del Castellano

Founded

1988

Operated by

Direzione regionale Musei nazionali Campania

Visitors per year

approx. 274,891

Admission & discounts

A standard ticket costs €5 from Wednesday to Monday until 16:00; on Tuesdays and from 16:00 on other days it costs €2.50. Reduced ticket €2.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The castle is listed as fully or partly accessible to people with mobility impairments.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The castle is on the Vomero hill, next to the Certosa di San Martino.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

There is a bookshop.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit