Visit Castel dell’Ovo in Naples

In borgo Marinari, on the island of Megaride, there is the most ancient Neapolitan castle: Castel dell’Ovo, the keeper of stories and legends. 

The Castel dell’Ovo historical complex is in via Eldorado 3, near Borgo Marinari. 

You can take the Line 1 underground train and get off at the Toledo metro stop. Alternatively, you can take the R2 bus that leaves from piazza Garibaldi and get off at piazza Municipio; moreover, in piazza Vittoria you can take the tram number 1 and get off at piazza Municipio. 

You can also reach Castel dell’Ovo on foot from via Partenope (near the Villa Comunale), where there is a bridge that connects the seafront with Borgo Marinari. 

In the 1st century BC Lucullo decided to build on the island of Megaride a beautiful villa named Castrum Lucullanum, that become the centre of the local cultural life and the place were “lucullan” (a word still used nowadays) parties and feasts were held. During both the Angevin and the Aragonese periods the villa underwent several assaults and structural changes, first becoming the location where Romolo Augustolo spent his exile and then turning into an hermitage for the Basilian monks. 

Federico II fortified the villa and used it as his palace and state prison. Later, the castle underwent additional structural changes requested by Alfonso V d’Aragona, the Spanish viceroys and the Bourbons. 

The name “Castel dell’Ovo” – Castrum Avi – comes from a legend, according to which Virgil was not only a poet, but a wizard as well. Legend has it that Virgil hid in the basement of the castle a magical egg locked up in a crystal case that was locked up  in an iron cage.

If anything happened to the egg (that is if the egg broke) several disasters would hit Napoli; in fact, “quell’ovo pendevano tutti li facti e la fortuna di Castel Marino” (all the luck of the castle depended on that egg) as people used to say. 

Castel dell’Ovo is located on a harbour named Ramaglietto and from its terraces you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the city, and of the Gulf of Napoli as well. 

You can enter and visit the castle; in fact, its rooms often house events and meetings. The Sala Italia (Italy Room) is the most prestigious one, with a beautiful vaulted ceiling; whereas, the Sala delle Sirene (Sirens Room) is completely dug in the tuff. 

The modern-style Sala Compagna (Partner Room) is in the upper side of the castle, together with the Terrazza dei Cannoni (Cannons Terrace). Below it there is the Antro di Virgilio (Virgil’s Cave), whereas beyond it there is a small room named Megaride. 

The Sala delle carceri (Prisons Room) is historically very important and it houses temporary exhibitions.