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inscription, installed in 2015 above the drill grounds on the northernmost wall of the castle near the west corner. Two other installations include a large metal helmet near the railing and a conical metal sculpture, approximately 15 feet in diameter at the bottom, with cutouts in the drill grounds.
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of
Campania. In seven years the original castle was freed of centuries of accretions, and made structurally sound, recreating the original galleries, parapet walkways and underground chambers, where an auditorium seating 700 has been created. In 1982 the site was handed over to the
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The castle served as an autonomous military outpost, with a governor who had absolute authority over both military and civilian matters. Around the parade grounds were situated the officers' quarters, chaplain's house, a church (1547) designed by the
Spanish architect
424:, numerous embrasures in the bastions and high walls surrounded by a moat, the castle was admirably suited to the topography of the site and the strategic and defensive functions. In 1538 a commemorative inscription was placed above the entrance gate, surmounted by
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In 1587 the munitions depot of the castle was struck by lightning, and exploded, destroying the church, the chaplain's house and the officers' quarters. Reconstruction was carried out between 1599 and 1601 under the architect
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The former Marine headquarters now houses the castle administration and some administrative offices for Naples, including the
Catalogue Office, Photographic Archives and the Thefts Office.
285:, Italy. The name "Sant'Elmo" derives from a former 10th-century church dedicated to Sant'Erasmo, shortened to "Ermo" and, finally altered to "Elmo". Located near the upper terminus of the
385:, the first governor and cousin of the Viceroy, included it in a comprehensive scheme designed to fortify the land perimeter of the city, based on four separate strongholds.
397:, a military architect. The daring hexagonal shape drew fierce criticism from his contemporaries, to such an extent that in 1538 Escriva defended his design in a published
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289:, one of the city's earliest pedestrian connections between upper and lower Naples, the fortress now serves as a museum, exhibition hall, and offices.
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320:, it was likely a fortified residence, surrounded by walls, its entrance gate marked by two turrets. In 1329, using designs by the Sienese architect
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It continued to be military property until 1976, when a large restoration project was undertaken by the provincial authority of the
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dated to 1472, showing the castle in the background before it was remodelled but with damage from the 1456 earthquake.
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There are now several permanent art exhibits in the castle, including a railing more than 30 feet long carrying a
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of Naples, and the Bruno
Molajoli Art History Library was installed in an upper story of the old prison block.
416:(1700–1710), with Castel Sant'Elmo on the hill in the background. Castel Nuovo is on the shore on the right.
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acquired its hexagonal star shape between 1537 and 1547 under the designs of
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then directed construction. By 1348 documents refer to the building as
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or castle, and work continued under
Camaino till his death in 1343.
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Documents date a structure at the site from 1275, from the era of
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Medieval fortress on Vomero Hill overlooking Naples, Italy
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The main entrance to Castel Sant'Elmo seen from northeast
522:. Naples: Ministero per i Beni e le Attivita Culturali.
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Buildings and structures completed in the 14th century
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495:Soprintendenza per i Beni Artistici e Storici
330:palatium in summitatae montanae Sancti Erasmi
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528:A handbook for travellers in southern Italy
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531:by John Murray (Firm), page 99–100. 1883.
99:Learn how and when to remove this message
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370:fortress was severely damaged in an
490:Provveditorato alle Opere Pubbliche
428:'s coat of arms and the two-headed
273:is a medieval fortress located on
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439:Entry gate with Imperial Eagle
381:rulers of Naples, and notably
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18:Castel Sant'Elmo, Naples
548:Castel Nuovo (Naples) in art
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305:(right lower) viewed from
200:Naples Ministry of Culture
36:San Telmo (disambiguation)
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574:National museums of Italy
420:In fact, with its double
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32:St. Elmo (disambiguation)
54:This article includes a
233:1537 (today's building)
162:40.843815°N 14.239005°E
83:more precise citations.
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316:. Known originally as
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279:Certosa di San Martino
231:1200s (first building)
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364:castrum Sancti Erasmi
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307:Piazza del Plebiscito
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550:at Wikimedia Commons
198:Napoli Beniculturali
167:40.843815; 14.239005
30:For other uses, see
383:Don Pedro de Toledo
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458:Tommaso Campanella
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391:Pedro Luis Escriva
387:Castel Sant'Erasmo
372:earthquake in 1456
356:Attanasio Primario
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349:Francesco Rosselli
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254:Still in use today
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195:Controlled by
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326:Robert of Naples
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187:Comune di Napoli
178:Site information
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301:Castle and
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251:In use
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141:Coordinates
81:introducing
558:Categories
414:Vanvitelli
153:14°14′20″E
150:40°50′38″N
426:Charles V
379:Aragonese
259:Materials
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430:Imperial
422:tenaille
399:Apologia
395:Valencia
318:Belforte
123:, Italy
512:Sources
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484:Present
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432:eagle.
368:Angevin
338:castrum
324:, king
303:Certosa
293:History
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283:Naples
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