Castel Nuovo

The Castel Nuovo (Italian:, New Castle '), often called New Castle, is a castle in Naples, Italy. It is one of the most famous buildings in the city. The castle was rebuilt several times since the start of construction in 1279 and renovated. It served under different kings usually in a double function as a fortress and residence.

History

Before the accession of Charles I of Anjou in 1266 Palermo was the capital of the Kingdom of Naples. Although there was with the Castel Capuano previously a royal residence in Naples, but after transfer of the capital to Naples Charles gave orders to build a new castle near the sea, to accommodate his court. The work began in 1279 under the supervision of the priest Pierre de Chaule as an architect and lasted a total of three years.

During the time of the Sicilian Vespers, the castle remained uninhabited until the year 1285, the year in which Charles I died and his son succeeded him Charles II. Under him and his successor, Robert the Wise, who reigned from 1309, the fort was expanded and renovated several times and became more and more the nucleus of urban development Naples.

1347 Castel Nuovo by the army of Louis I of Hungary badly damaged and had to be restored extensively in the sequence after the return of Queen Joan I of Naples.

Under the rule of the Aragonese later that 1442 began with Alfonso V of Aragon, the fortress was remodeled extensively, among other things, the new weapons technology challenges to resist. The Triumphal Arch at the main gate, designed by Francesco Laurana, celebrates Alfons ' arrival in Naples. The construction work on the arch began no later than 1453, figures of 1464 show him already completed.

The Sala dei Baroni, one of the largest secular spaces of their time, was until 2006 the meeting of the Campanian regional parliament. In the west wing of the castle today is the Museo Civico is located ( local history museum in Naples ).