Castel Nuovo

Yes, Castel Nuovo is widely known by its alternative name 'Maschio Angioino,' after the Angevin dynasty that built it. 'Maschio' refers to the central keep. The two names are used interchangeably in Naples.

Construction of Castel Nuovo was begun in 1279 by Charles I of Anjou (Carlo I d'Angiò), King of Naples and Sicily, replacing earlier Norman castles. It was redesigned and expanded significantly under King Alfonso V of Aragon in the 15th century, including the white marble triumphal arch at the entrance. The architects included Pierre de Chaulnes and (for the arch) Francesco Laurana.

Yes, Castel Nuovo is open to the public and houses the Museo Civico (Civic Museum) with paintings, sculpture, and the spectacular 14th-century Baron's Hall. Visitors can also see the Palatine Chapel with its surviving Giotto-school frescoes. The underground Prisons of the Barons are part of the tour.

The Triumphal Arch (Arco di Trionfo) is a white marble Renaissance gateway built between 1453 and 1471 to commemorate Alfonso of Aragon's entry into Naples in 1443. It is incorporated into the castle's main entrance and features sculptures by artists including Francesco Laurana and Isaia da Pisa. It is one of the most significant Renaissance monuments in southern Italy.