Palazzo Carafa di Maddaloni

The Palazzo Carafa di Maddaloni (formerly D'Avalos Palace) stands majestically in Naples, on Via Maddaloni, along the Lower Decumanus, standing out as one of the main examples of Neapolitan Baroque. Constructed in 1580 by order of Cesare d'Avalos, Marquis of the Kingdom of Aragon, the palace was later passed to the Carafa family in 1650. Between 1656 and 1710, the architect Cosimo Fanzago oversaw significant enlargement and renovation works. Shared among various owners in the 19th century, the palace witnessed transformations and restorations. Damaged during World War II, it underwent significant restoration interventions starting in 1982, extending over more than 30 years. The main facade on Via Maddaloni features an imposing Baroque portal made of marble and piperno, enriched with allegorical decorations. The hall, decorated by Fedele Fischetti, leads to a rectangular courtyard with a portico and a 17th-century staircase. The interior rooms, divided into apartments, retain frescoes by artists such as Fischetti, Giacomo del Pò, and Francesco De Mura. The Maddaloni room, once a ballroom, is famous for musical performances by renowned composers, including Alessandro Scarlatti. The palace, a symbol of Neapolitan elegance and history, testifies to the city's cultural richness.