Castel Nuovo - Triumphal Arch at Castel Nuovo

Triumphal Arch At Castel Nuovo

The imposing single-sided white marble triumphal arch, built in 1470, commemorates Alfonso of Aragon's entry to Naples in 1443. It stands between two western Towers of the Angevin castle. The overall design had been attributed to Pietro di Martina, a Milanese architect, or, according to Vasari, to Giuliauo da Maiano. Modern authors attribute the design to Francesco Laurana.

It is 35 meters tall and has been elongated into two stacked arches. Some reports claim that the arches had originally been planned as two face to a free standing arch for the Piazza del Duomo, but that an officer in the service of Alfonso, Niccolo Bozzuto, whose house was to be razed to make room for the monument, induced the king to alter the site to the Castel Nuovo.

The self-concious Renaissance style, appropriates items from Roman triumphal arches, but lacks sobriety, and is encrusted in a profusion of ornamentation with garlands, harpies, festoons, and putti among the elements. The structure is not a true arch, but decoration affixed to the former entrance of the castle.

The flanking corinthian columns flank the entrance, but the first level sculpture depicts a triumphal quadriga leading Alfonso parading. The sculptors included Isaia da Pisa, Merliano, Domenico Gagini, Andrea Fiorentino, a pupil of Donatello, and Silvestro dell'Aquila. Sculptors from Aragon also contributed to the work. The center has a shield with the symbols of Aragon. The Frieze below reads: ALFONSVS REX HISPANVS SICULVS ITALICUS PIVS CLEMENS INVICTUS Above it reads: ALFONSVS REGUM PRINCEPS HANC CONDIDIT ARCEM

The second upper arch is surmounted by Lions and four niches with statues depicting the virtues of Alfonso. Above this is a rounded lintel with two genii with horns of plenty surmounted by Alfonso in attire of a warrior. This cornice was meant for an equestrian statue. The three statues of St. Michael, St. Anthony the Abbot, and St. Sebastian, and the two recumbent ones, on the summit of the arch, are by Giovanni da Nolo.

Passing under this arch we enter the piazza by the Bronze Gates, executed by the monk Guglielmo of Naples, and representing in various compartments the victories of Ferdinand I over the Duke of Anjou and the rebellious barons.