Elmo Castle

Elmo Castle is a medieval castle, now a museum, located on the hill of Vomero in Naples.It was once called Paturcium and stands in the place where there was, from the tenth century, a church dedicated to St. Erasmus (hence Ermo and then Elmo). As well as permanent museum is also home to various exhibitions and events, including the Napoli Comicon that takes place every spring.

 This powerful building stems from an observation tower called Norman Belforte. Because of its strategic importance, the castle has always been a coveted possession, from its position can be controlled throughout the city, the bay, and the roads leading from the hills surrounding the city.The earliest historical record of the castle date back to 1329, when Robert Wise told the regent of the Vicar, John de Haya, the construction of a building, the Palatium castrum, on top of the hill of Saint Erasmus. The architects in charge of the work were Francesco de Vico and Tino by Caimano, the latter's death in 1336, succeeded Athanasius Primary and after him in 1340, Balducci de Bacza, the work was completed in 1343 under the reign of Giovanna I of Anjou.

In 1587, lightning, fell into the powder magazine, blew up much of the fortress, killing 150 people and causing damage to the rest of the city.Then became a prison in which prisoners were, among others, the philosopher Tommaso Campanella (1604 to 1608) and Giovanni Di Capua, Princess of Conca, in 1659.In 1647, during the revolution of Masaniello, fled there Viceroy Duke of Arcos and the people vainly tried to seize it. The fort bombarded the town and, thanks to the defense organized by the warden Martin Galiano, withstood the assaults of the people.Today the castle belongs to the State Civil and is used as a museum