Castel Nuovo (Maschio Angioino), Naples

Castel Nuovo, also known as Maschio Angioino, dominates Naples’ waterfront with its iconic 15th-century triumphal arch. Construction began in 1279 under Charles I of Anjou, but the marble arch, sculpted by Francesco Laurana, was added in 1467. The castle’s five cylindrical towers each rise 25 meters, and the main hall hosts the municipal museum with over 1,000 artifacts. Unlike the fully moated Castello Estense, Castel Nuovo’s defensive ditch has long been filled, but its waterfront position remains equally strategic.