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Piazza Trieste is delineated by four of the city's main landmarks. While called a square, it does seem more of a roundabout. On the north of the square you can find Galleria Umberto similar in design and function to Milan's main shopping arcade although perhaps its array of shops are not of the same quality. Not only do you risk being ripped off here in the cafès, the gallery is also not the safest place to be in the evening. On the south side of the square, Piazza Trieste joins with Piazza del Plebiscito. This piazza contains a curve of columns imitating the square of St. Peter in Rome. The church of St. Francesco di Paola is an imitation of the Pantheon. The square is now known for its changing display of art features and the whole square lit up at night makes for a pleasurably romantic stroll. On the west of Piazza Trieste is the Palazzo Reale or former Royal Palace built was in 1602 and used to accomodate visiting monarches and was never a royal residence. All of the various rulers of Naples are displayed in statue form on the palace's façade including Vittorio Emanuele II and Alfonso I. There is a wonderful white marble staircase. The palace houses its own chapel, its own little theatre a terrace that permits magnificent views of the port and the Castel Nuovo. From the east of the square you reach the castle of five towers also known as the Maschio Angioinino. It was built in 1282 to house the monarchs and was enlarged a number of times to commemorate the successions of the various rulers. Alfonso I added the triumphal arch, a splendid renaissance arch supporting a statue of St. Micheal, in 1454. Today it is used as council office and a civics museum. |