Maschio Angioino

Few steps from Piazza del Municipio, this medieval castle is one of the main symbols of the city of Naples. It was built between 1279 and 1284 by the will of Carlo I d’Angiò (from which it takes its name). Today it is the seat of the Civic Museum, and it often hosts interesting temporary exhibitions. Over the years, it has been used several times as a temporary residence to host famous people visiting Naples: among them Giovanni Boccaccio, Giotto, Pope Boniface VIII, Pope Celestino V and Francesco Petrarca.

CURIOSITIES

The Maschio Angioino has in its basement two prisons: one is called “crocodile pit”. 

The reason for this name is explained by Benedetto Croce: “Suddenly it began to be noticed that the prisoners disappeared. One day someone saw from a hidden hole in the pit a monster. A crocodile came in with its jaws, grabbed the prisoner by the legs, and dragged him into the sea to swallow him “[…]