Sant'Elmo Castle Tickets

starting from 9
  • Validity: 1 day
  • Priority access
  • Photos without flash
  • Accessible

What to expect

  • See this beautiful medieval castle and its art collections
  • Enjoy a breath-taking view over the Gulf of Naples
  • Skip the line and don't waste your time
  • Once entered, spend inside the castle all the time you want

A fortress overlooking the city

Castle

Situated on the Vomero hill, this ancient medieval castle houses today a beautiful museum with works of Neapolitan artists, and is also used for conventions and art exhibitions; situated 250 meters above sea level, it offered a strategic location from where it was possible to control the city and the gulf and from where even today can be admired a magnificent panorama.

History

The building was originally a Norman control tower called Belforte, then in 1329 Roberto d'Angiò called the Wise, commissioned to Tino di Camaino and Francesco de Vico the construction of a real palace that was completed in 1343.

Protagonist of numerous sieges, from 1537 the castle was rebuilt by order of Don Pedro di Toledo who entrusted the works to Pedro Luis Escrivà, one of the most famous military architects of the time, who created a fortress with a stellar plan.

Then in the 17th century the building became a prison and there were detained personalities like Tommaso Campanella and Giovanna di Capua; in 1976 became the restoration works to recover the ancient paths and environments, and in 1988 the castle was opened to the public.

Collections

The castle today houses the "Museum of Naples of 19th century" with about 170 works by Neapolitan artists ranging from 1910 to 1980; among them we can remember Enrico Baj, Giovanni Brancaccio, Vincenzo Ciardo, Carlo Cocchia, Vincenzo Gemito, Antonio Mancini, Tommaso Marinetti, Umberto Mastroianni, Gennaro Villani, Eugenio Viti and many others.

What is included

  • Entrance with priority access
  • Full-time and stay much as you want
  • Reservation fees
  • Access to temporary exhibitions

What is not included

  • Guided tour

Available options

The following options can be purchased in addition to the tickets in the booking Wizard on this website.

Price reductions

Reduced/Half Ticket:

  • Citizens between 18 and 24 years old (valid identity document needed at the entrance) from the EU and the States under conditions of reciprocity (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, United Kingdom, Czech Republic, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Hungary).

Free Ticket (it is still required to pay the presale to skip the line) :

  • Citizens from the EU under 18 years old (valid identity document needed at the entrance)
  • Temporary and permanent teachers of Italian public and private schools equipped with the appropriate documentation issued by MIUR
  • Disabled citizens from the EU and a family member or escort belonging to social and health care services.

Meeting Point

To remember

  1. The ticket is valid all day until closing time of the Castle starting from entrance time.

  2. The entrance time written on the tickets may be subject to small changes depending on the actual availability of the Castle.

  3. For a satisfying experience it is recommended to reserve at least 1 hour and half to visit the Castle.

  4. The tickets will be sent via email within 24-48 hours after purchase (on weekdays) with instructions on how to get there and what to do to enter.

  5. We inform you that, once booked, the date and time selected are binding. Please pick up your ticket at least 15 minutes before the reserved entrance. Who does not respect the time booked will not enter.

  6. The Castle has a maximum capacity of people, in some periods of the year or special days you may experience short delays or waits not dependent on the Castleor Italy Tickets.