(click image to enlarge)
Augustus Hare probably sketched this painting from Posillipo, a rocky peninsula on the northern shore of the bay of Naples, looking south towards the city. In the distance, the impressive fortress of Castel Sant’Elmo on the Vomero hill overlooks Naples and Castel dell’Ovo is visible on the sea-front with Mount Vesuvius and the coast of Sorrento in the distance.
’S. Elmo derives its name from S. Eremo, "the holy retreat " (i.e. of the Carthusian monks). The magnificent fortress was built for King Robert the Wise by Giacomo de Sanctis, but was enlarged and altered by the great viceroy, Pedro di Toledo. Under the present Government it is used as a prison.’
Augustus Hare, Cities of Southern Italy and Sicily, London, Smith, Elder & Co, 1883, page 146
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