Porta Capuana - rain in December... |
These walls were built under the expansion of the city under Spanish rule in the 15th century. Though the walls were demolished some time ago a number of the gate remain around the city as sort of curiosities. This one was heavily built over until the late nineteenth or early twentieth century. Old photographs show the buildings coming right up to it and even over it.
Like the castle Nuovo this is built out of the local dark grey stone, but has a magnificent triumphal arch in white marble. The treatment of the carving is superb and has some of those delightful Neapolitan renaissance quirky anomalies. For example the winged victories and the Corinthian columns are almost mirror images of ancient Roman examples, but the statues flanking the central shield are very stiff and unyielding, pointing to their 1484 date.
On the western side of the gate the Piazza Enrico de Nicola was filled with garbage. And some tremendously gorgeous buildings, but still a lot of garbage. It was a holiday, so I will have to assume it was a one off occurrence...though I might be a little optimistic.
On the western side of the gate the Piazza Enrico de Nicola was filled with garbage. And some tremendously gorgeous buildings, but still a lot of garbage. It was a holiday, so I will have to assume it was a one off occurrence...though I might be a little optimistic.
Triumphal arch in the Porta Capuana; through the arch can be seen Santa Caterina a Formiello |
Overall, brilliant...really brill.
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