Visit Naples' oldest castle for breathtaking views of the city and Mount Vesuvius.
The rocky islet where this castle now sits at Borgo Marinari has been the scene of many legendary events, even for Naples. Neapolitans believe that the heartbroken siren Parthenope washed ashore here after failing to seduce Ulysses with her song. It's also where the Greeks first settled in the city in the 6th century BC, and the famous Roman general Lucullus had his villa here too.
This castle's unusual name has an unusual source: the ancient Roman scribe Virgil. Legend has it that he buried an egg on the site where the castle now stands and warned that when the egg breaks, Naples will fall.
You reach the castle, which dates back to the 15th century, by walking down a 100-metre long causeway which connects the castle to the mainland. It's a popular place for locals to have their wedding photos, so you might end up in the background of some of them! Once you've reached the castle, you can explore the simple stone, twin-towered building and learn the history of the area's people in the Museum of Prehistory which occupies part of the building. The museum's collection of ceramics, clothes and other artefacts are well worth exploring. For excellent panoramic views of the city and Mount Vesuvius, head up one of the two towers, looking out for the canons that face out from the tower walls.
The Castel Dell'Ovo is open Monday to Saturday and admission is free. There is a charge for the Museum of Prehistory which varies depending on the exhibition. Travel by bus to Saint Lucia and walk along the causeway to reach this attraction. After your visit, the surrounding narrow streets are very picturesque, and the small fish restaurants and cafés are a good place for lunch.
