Castel Sant'Elmo, Naples

Name: Castel Sant'Elmo
Address: Via Tito Angelini, 22, Naples, 80129, Italy
Telephone: +39 081 229 4449

#9 among attractions in Naples

Museum, Forts and castles, Top attraction, Lookout

Gallery (13)

Map

Gallery

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Facts and practical information

Perched atop the Vomero Hill, Castel Sant'Elmo is a commanding fortress that has stood watch over Naples, Italy, for centuries. This medieval castle, with its star-shaped design, offers a panoramic vista of the sprawling city below, as well as the azure waters of the Gulf of Naples.

Constructed in the 14th century, Castel Sant'Elmo was originally built as a military stronghold. Over the years, it has played various roles, from a royal residence to a prison. Now, it stands as a testament to Naples' rich history and architectural prowess. The fortress is named after Saint Erasmus - Sant'Elmo being a contraction of Sant'Ermo - the patron saint of sailors, who was believed to protect the castle and its inhabitants.

Visitors to Castel Sant'Elmo can explore the ramparts, walk through the courtyards, and enjoy the exhibits housed within the former barracks and cells. The castle also features the Museo del Novecento Neapolitano, a museum dedicated to 20th-century Neapolitan artists, providing cultural context to the historical site.

The highlight for many, however, remains the breathtaking views. From the terraces, one can take in sights of the iconic Mount Vesuvius, the historic center of Naples, and the Sorrentine Peninsula. These panoramic vistas make Castel Sant'Elmo a favorite spot for photographers and sightseers alike.

Local name: Castel sant'Elmo Built: 1200 (824 years ago)Coordinates: 40°50'37"N, 14°14'21"E

Address

Via Tito Angelini, 22Municipalità 2 (Montecalvario)Naples 80129 Italy

Contact

+39 081 229 4449

Website

Social media

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Naples

Day trips

Castel Sant'Elmo – popular in the area (distance from the attraction)

Nearby attractions include: Museo nazionale di San Martino, Certosa di San Martino, Palazzo delle Arti di Napoli, Palazzo Buono.

~520 ftSE
Museum
Museo nazionale di San Martino, Naples
3 min walk • Perched atop the Vomero hill, the Museo Nazionale di San Martino is a cultural treasure nestled in the vibrant city of Naples, Italy. This museum, housed in the former San Martino Charterhouse, offers a rich tapestry of Neapolitan history and art.
~760 ftE
Museum, Art museum, Specialty museum
Certosa di San Martino, Naples
4 min walk • Perched atop the Vomero hill, the Certosa di San Martino dominates the skyline of Naples, Italy, offering a cultural experience as rich as the history it has witnessed. This former monastery, now a museum, is a testament to Neapolitan artistry and religious devotion...
0.5 miS
Museum, Specialty museum, Art museum
Palazzo delle Arti di Napoli, Naples
13 min walk • Nestled in the heart of Naples, the Palazzo delle Arti di Napoli, commonly known as PAN, stands as a modern bastion of culture and art in a city steeped in history. This contemporary museum, dedicated to promoting the visual arts, is a pivotal platform for both...
0.5 miE
Palace
Palazzo Buono, Naples
13 min walk • Palazzo Buono, nestled in the heart of Naples, Italy, stands as a testament to the city's rich architectural heritage. This historic building is located in the bustling district of Naples and is revered for its beautiful facade and the intricate details that capture...
0.5 miE
Baroque architecture, Church, Sacred and religious sites
Chiesa di San Nicola alla Carità, Naples
14 min walk • The church of St. Nicholas the Charitable is a church located on via Toledo, almost midway between Piazza Carità and Piazza Dante in Naples, Italy.
~1510 ftW
Square
Piazza Ferdinando Fuga, Naples
8 min walk • Piazza Ferdinando Fuga, popularly known as piazzetta Fuga for its modest size and called during the fascist period piazza Franco Belfiore to commemorate a young fascist who fell fighting in a clash in 1921, is a square in Naples located in the Vomero district.
0.4 miNE
Baroque architecture, Church, Cable car
Santa Maria di Montesanto, Naples
11 min walk • The church of Santa Maria di Montesanto and the annexed monastery were built in Naples, Italy, by a community of Carmelite friars that had its origins in Montesanto, Sicily. The initial architect was Pietro De Marino, but the work including the cupola was completed by Dionisio Lazzari.
~1670 ftE
Baroque architecture, Church
Santa Maria ad Ogni Bene dei Sette Dolori, Naples
9 min walk • Santa Maria ad Ogni Bene dei Sette Dolori, also known as Santa Maria de Sette Dolori, is a Roman Catholic church in Naples, Italy. It stands on a hill, providing an excellent view of Spaccanapoli, a Decumanus of Naples which ends across via Francesco Girardi.
~1960 ftE
Baroque architecture, Church
Santa Maria della Concezione a Montecalvario, Naples
10 min walk • Santa Maria della Concezione a Montecalvario is a church in central Naples, Italy. Founded as a small church in 1579, it was attached to the adjacent monastery and school of the Concezione. It is located on via Concezione a Montecalvario #32.
0.5 miNE
Palace, Neoclassical architecture
Palazzo Latilla, Naples
14 min walk • The Palazzo Latilla is an 18th-century monumental palace located at Via Tarsia #28, in the neighborhood of Avvocata in Naples, Italy.
~1860 ftE
Baroque architecture, Church
Santa Maria della Mercede a Montecalvario, Naples
9 min walk • Santa Maria della Mercede a Montecalvario is a church located on largo Montecalvario in Naples, Italy. The church was founded in 1560, endowed by the Neapolitan aristocrat Ilaria D'Apuzzo, who donated the church to the Franciscan order.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

When is Castel Sant'Elmo open?

Castel Sant'Elmo is open:

Monday 8:30 am - 7:30 pm
Tuesday 8:30 am - 7:30 pm
Wednesday 8:30 am - 7:30 pm
Thursday 8:30 am - 7:30 pm
Friday 8:30 am - 7:30 pm
Saturday 8:30 am - 7:30 pm
Sunday 8:30 am - 7:30 pm

Which popular attractions are close to Castel Sant'Elmo?

Nearby attractions include Museo nazionale di San Martino, Naples (3 min walk), Certosa di San Martino, Naples (4 min walk), San Nicola da Tolentino, Naples (7 min walk), Piazza Ferdinando Fuga, Naples (8 min walk).

How to get to Castel Sant'Elmo by public transport?

The nearest stations to Castel Sant'Elmo:

Bus

San Martino • Lines: V1 (2 min walk)
Santacroce - Parco Pastore • Lines: 139 (9 min walk)

Train

Morghen (5 min walk)
Petraio (5 min walk)

Metro

Vanvitelli • Lines: 1 (10 min walk)
Toledo • Lines: 1 (14 min walk)

Tram

Via Colombo - Porto • Lines: 1, 4 (23 min walk)
Via Marina - Orefici • Lines: 1, 4 (28 min walk)