Castel Nuovo: The Angevins, the Kingdom of Naples, and a Fortress of Power

Rising above the port of Naples, Castel Nuovo, or Maschio Angioino, stands as a symbol of power, conquest, and shifting rulers. Built in 1279 by Charles I of Anjou, the newly crowned King of Naples, the castle was meant to be more than just a fortress—it was a statement. The House of Anjou, originally from France, had taken control of the Kingdom of Naples, and this grand stronghold became the heart of their rule.

Castel Nuovo, Naples, Italy

The Angevins ushered in a new era, making Naples a center of art, politics, and culture. Castel Nuovo, with its massive towers and sturdy walls, was both a royal residence and a military stronghold. Under King Robert of Anjou, the city flourished, attracting scholars, artists, and architects. The castle became a meeting place for intellectuals, hosting figures like Petrarch and Boccaccio.

But Angevin rule would not last. In 1442, Alfonso V of Aragon conquered Naples, uniting it with the Crown of Aragon. However, after his death in 1458, Naples did not remain under direct Aragonese rule. Instead, Alfonso’s illegitimate son, Ferrante (Ferdinand I of Naples), took the throne, establishing Naples as an independent kingdom under the House of Trastámara. Though closely tied to Aragon, Ferrante ruled autonomously, defending Naples from internal revolts and Angevin attempts to reclaim power. It was only in 1501 that Naples was fully absorbed into Spanish control under Ferdinand II of Aragon, after conflicts with France.

Following Ferrante’s rule and Naples’ integration into Spanish control, Castel Nuovo remained a seat of power, but its role shifted. Under Spanish and later Bourbon rule, it was modernized as a military stronghold and adapted for new defensive strategies. By the 19th century, as Naples became part of a unified Italy, the castle was no longer needed for war. It underwent restorations, surviving damage from World War II bombings, and was repurposed as a museum and cultural site.

Castel Nuovo, Naples, Italy

Today, Castel Nuovo stands as a reminder of Naples' layered history. Visitors walk through its grand halls, once the setting of royal intrigues, and stand beneath the Hall of the Barons, where a failed conspiracy against the king led to mass arrests. From its walls, the view stretches across the Bay of Naples, where history and modern life continue to meet, just as they always have.