The Egg Castle

So many aspects of life in Naples are bathed in legend or superstition. Castel del Ovo, literally translated the Castle of the Egg, is no exception. Frankly, the history/legend behind this site reads like a long and complicated fairy tale. There are names like Conradin of Swabia and Alphonse of Aragon and a very interesting "reason" behind the structural integrity of the castle. Let's take a look....

The history of this castle dates back to ancient Roman times and before. Way back when, this piece of land was actually an island called Megaride. It was where the Greeks supposedly first landed in the city, and later became a holiday resort/fortress for Roman leader Lucio Licino Lucullo. The isolated location also later served as a rather popular place to lock people up. Over the next few centuries, the land and existing structures were used by monks.

After the Normans conquered the city in 1140, the castle was used as the palace of King Roger. In the years to follow, many changes were made to the castle in order to make it a fortified structure with high towers and walls capable of protecting a king and his treasures.

Finally we arrive at how the castle got its current name, Castel del Ovo, around the 14th century. It may be because the castle has a vaguely egg-shaped plan. More frequently, however, the name is attributed to the famous poet and magician Virgil. According to legend, Virgil himself hid an enchanted egg somewhere in the castle to insure its future. It was believed that if the egg broke, Castel del Ovo was then doomed to destruction as well. So, if we are going by the legend, the egg is still intact somewhere in the castle to this day!

Castel del Ovo was actually used by the military up until 1975. Now, it is open to the public every day, for free. There are often very few people there, which gives it the feeling of an abandoned, fortified medieval city you could definitely get lost in. There are great views of the city and the bay from the top. (This facility also has elevators!) Just try not to break the egg when you go!!!