Ovo Castle

Ovo Castle (Castrum Ovi, in Latin), after the Castel Capuano is the oldest of the city of Naples and is oneof the elements that stand out the most famous landscape in the Gulf. Its name derives from an ancient legend that the Roman poet Virgil - who in medieval times was also considered a magician - an egg buried in the dungeons of the building that held up the whole fortress. The rupture was caused not only the collapse of the castle, but also a series of devastating disasters to the city of Naples.

The castle stands on the island of tuff Megaride (greek: Megaris), a natural offshoot of Mount Echia, which was joined to the mainland by a narrow isthmus of rock. Is believed to have been to the point of landing of Cumani who arrives in the seventh century BC, they founded the first nucleus of Palepoli, the future Naples. The first settlements date back then at that time. In the first century BC Lucullus in the area acquired a vast fund (which in some cases ranged from Pizzofalcone to Pozzuoli) and built a most splendid villa on the island, which was equipped with among other luxuries - as well as a well-stocked library - moray eel farms and embellished with novelty food like fish imported from Persia and cherry garnered from Cerasunto.La memory of this property persisted in the name of Castellum Lucullanum that the site held until late Roman age.

During the reign of the Spanish viceroys, the castle completely lost the function of a royal residence from the eighteenth century and also the title of "a real factory," and was used as provisions and military outpost - from which the Spaniards bombarded the city during the riots of Masaniello -- and prison, where he was imprisoned, among others, the philosopher Tommaso Campanella before being sentenced to death, and later many Jacobins, Carbonari and liberals among them Carlo Poerio, Luigi Settembrini, Francesco De Sanctis. During the period of the so-called "rehabilitation" that changed the face of Naples after the Unification of Italy, a project developed by the scientists' letters and artists in 1871 included the demolition of the castle to make way for a new neighborhood. However, that project was not implemented and escaped the danger, the building remained in possession of the land and practically in a state of neglect, until the beginning of the restoration in 1975.

 Today is adjacent to the historic district of Saint Lucia and can be visited. In large halls held exhibits, conferences and events. At its base lies the marina of the Borgo Marinari ", inspired by restaurants and small bars, the historical site of some of the most prestigious sailing clubs in Naples