Italy Guide
Campania
Castel dell'Ovo
Opening time: Mon– Sat 9am–6pm, Sun 9am–2pm
Price: free
Down on the waterfront, the grey mass of the Castel dell'Ovo or "egg-castle" takes its name from the whimsical legend that it was built over an egg placed here by Virgil in Roman times: it is believed that if the egg breaks, Naples will fall. Actually it was built by the Hohenstaufen king Frederick II and extended by the Angevins. There's not much to see or do inside; it's just a series of terraces and views really. But the views are the best in town: a 360-degree panorama over the entire bay and back over Naples itself. When you're done you can go for drinks or dinner at one of the quayside restaurants in the Borgo Marinaro below.