Naples - University of Naples Federico II

University Facade from Hotel Naples 

The University of Naples was founded by Federico II in 1224 after a rocky start it became the largest university in the south of Italy with a student body of nearly 100 thousand as of 2010.

Expanded many times since its founding (the current Archaeological Museum was built as the new university in 1615). It’s currant 1777 façade on Corso Umberto I is just that, a facade. It hides behind it and amazing hodgepodge maze of 15-16th century towers, gates and random brick buildings. 

The facade is very well done in the early neoclassical style. Built out of lovely grey and white contrasting stone starting with a ground floor of rustic ashlar work with alternate rows of pedimented and round arch topped windows above. in the center is a projecting pavilion with engaged Corinthian pilasters and a large pediment with over life-size statues of the arts. The whole is flanked by two projecting pavilions of three bays with Corinthian pilasters at the corners. 

Winged Sphinxes guard the entrance and the whole is smothered in that carefree graffiti that the Neapolitans apply with such endearment to their monuments. 

Facade of the University of Naples Federico II 

My hotel was directly across the street from this building and from our room we had a birds eye view of the sculptures on the pediment.