Museo civico di Castel Nuovo
Civic museum in the Maschio Angioino of Naples: courtyard, Palatine Chapel, picture gallery and collections from the Middle Ages to the 20th century in the castle of the Angevin and Aragonese kings.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Castel Nuovo, known as the Maschio Angioino, became a cultural centre under King Robert of Anjou, when, according to tradition, Giotto, Petrarch and Boccaccio stayed there. Under the Aragonese, and in particular Alfonso I, the castle became a royal residence: it was rebuilt as a modern fortress and the Arco di Trionfo (Triumphal Arch) was erected. It later came under French, Spanish viceregal and Austrian rule; in 1734 Charles III of Bourbon defeated the Austrians, and the castle was surrounded by other buildings, which the municipality removed in the early decades of the 20th century to isolate the fortress.
The Museo civico, opened in 1990, is housed in the castle and brings together sculptures, objects and paintings from the medieval period to the late 19th century. The route begins in the monumental courtyard with the Cappella Palatina, which dates from 1307 and preserves a Renaissance portal with reliefs, a rose window, a ciborium by Iacopo della Pila (1481), sculptures by Domenico Gagini and Francesco Laurana, and fragments of frescoes attributed to Giotto. From the courtyard there is also access to the archaeological route in the former Sala dell'Armeria, with a Roman-era basin and remains of medieval burials.
The picture gallery on the first floor presents works from Neapolitan churches that were closed or from suppressed institutions, from the 15th to the 17th century, with works by Francesco Laurana, Marco Cardisco, Francesco Solimena and Luca Giordano. On the second floor are 19th- and 20th-century paintings on patriotic and Risorgimento themes, with works of the Scuola di Posillipo, by Vincenzo Gemito and Francesco Jerace. Sala Carlo V and Sala della Loggia host exhibitions and cultural initiatives.
Highlights
- Palatine Chapel of 1307 with ciborium by Iacopo della Pila
- Madonna and Child enthroned by Francesco Laurana
- Adoration of the Magi by Marco Cardisco
- Picture gallery with works by Solimena and Luca Giordano
- Archaeological route in the former Sala dell'Armeria
- 19th-century Risorgimento paintings and works of the Scuola di Posillipo
- Founded
- 1990
- Operated by
- Comune di Napoli
- Visitors per year
- approx. 102,486
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €10 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €6Residents of the municipality of Naples and of the Metropolitan City |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 17 · Free admission for minors under 18. |
| Artecard holders (Scabec agreement) | €5In some cases free admission, according to the agreement |
Other free admissions are listed in the documents attached to the municipality's website. Tickets at the ticket office (card terminal, debit card, credit card) or online.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: no information
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The museum's lift may not be usable during maintenance work. Guide dogs are permitted.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Municipio
Metro lines 1 and 6, stop Municipio; trams 412 and 421; bus R2; Funicolare Centrale (Piazzetta Fuga).
Amenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Groups may consist of at most 30 people, unless otherwise indicated by the management, and must stay together and follow the guide. Schools book by e-mail at beni.culturali@comune.napoli.it. Food and drink may not be brought in; only small dogs on a lead or carried, and guide dogs, are admitted. |
