Naples

OLD TOWN OF NAPLES Naples ( the old name is neapolis=new town), was founded by the greeks in the 7th century b.C.. It became one of the biggest cities in the Magna Greece for its large port, protected by hills and the mild climate. In 1734 it became the residence of the Bourbon royal family,of which we have artistic and archaeological collections still. Its location on the Gulf of Naples gives it an universal value, that has influenced many parts of Europe. Naples is one of the oldest cities in Europe and it still retains some elements of its long history. For exemple, there are two famous castles: Castel dell’Ovo and Maschio Angioino.

CASTEL DELL’OVO[[image:Castel_d_Uovo.jpg align="right" caption="Castel dell'Ovo"]]
On the old Megaride’s island there is an important castle which has an old legend. Its name is “Castel dell’Ovo” because of the Egg that Virgilio put in the cells of the Castle. The room, where the Egg was put, was closed, because it rappresented the lucky of the Castle. The story tells that under the Queen Giovanna’s reign, a terrible earthquake there was. It caused the collapse of a part of the Castle. Consequently, the Egg broke. The Queen was forced to change the old Egg with a new one, to avoid the panic in the city.

MASCHIO ANGIOINO[[image:New_Castle.jpg align="right" caption="Castel Nuovo"]]
The New Castle, also called Maschio Angioino, rises in the middle of Municipio Square, near the gardens of the Royal Palace, at few steps from the port of Naples. This location was chosen by Carlo I D'Angiò who occupied the city in 1266. He ordered to build a fortified palace near the sea. The legend tells that at the time there were some mysterious disappearances of some guests of the castle. They were destined to an atrocious death: they were forced down in prisons where there was a crocodile that ate them. This legend is witnessed by the discovery of four graves with some bones of barons.Now, the embalmed crocodile was put on the gateway of the castle. 