Napoli: S. Lucia e castello dell' Ovo

Santa Lucia (Saint Lucy) is the name of that part of Naples promenade in front of Castel dell'Ovo. Until the 16th century it was only a fishermen suburb, but in 1599 the Spanish Viceroy of Naples decided to transform it into a prestigious road: so he called to renovate that place the architect Domenico Fontana (who also built the Royal Palace).

Castel dell'Ovo (Egg's Castle) rises upon the islet of Megaride, in front of the small promontory of Monte Echia (also called Pizzofalcone), which divides the two small bays on the waterfront of Naples: the one of the harbour and the other of Riviera di Chiaia (Mergellina). The islet was the first settlement by Greek colonists coming from Pithecusa (on Ischia island) who also founded the old town of Partenope on Monte Echia, the earliest nucleus of Naples. During the 1st century b.C. the islet of Megaride became property of Lucius Licinius Lucullus, who made built there his most magnificent villa. They remain very few signs of this legendary villa, because of the several constructions made in the following times upon it. 

The name Castel dell'Ovo (Egg's Castle) is derived from a medieval legend about the Latin poet Vergilius, at those times believed a wizard. According to this legend Vergilius, during his stay in Naples, hid a magic egg inside an amphora, which was put into an iron cage, that was hanged on the truss of a crypt under the castle: if that egg will ever have fallen and broken, this will have meant the ruin of the castle and of the entire city of Naples.