Maschio Angioino is the other name of Castel Nuovo (new castle), one of the most famous monuments of the city of Naples.
Its construction was begun by Charles I of Anjou in 1279; under the Aragonese dynasty, begun by Alfonso V in 1443, the fortress was updated to resist the new artillery and a famous triumphal arch, made of white marble, was added to the main gate to celebrate Alfonso's entrance in Naples.
In the 18th century it lost its role of royal residence, because new buildings were rising, like the Palazzo Reale in Piazza del Plebiscito, the Palace of Capodimonte and the magnificent Reggia of Caserta, and Maschio Angioino became essentially a symbol of the history of Naples.
Today the castle dominates the magnificent piazza Municipio, not far from the port of Naples, on which it rises with its imposing size. In the interior you can visit some rooms of the castle, among which the Cappella Palatina, the Sala dei Baroni and the Civic Museum, that accommodates interesting works of art.
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