More than a building, it is a story sculpted in stone. The eye cannot help but stop at its incredible piperno portal. It is here that Naples reveals its ability to blend ancient history with dramatic opulence.
A Stage of Stone
Observe the base: two enigmatic sea monsters, perhaps carved from ancient Roman columns, open their jaws wide. They are not just decoration: they were once spegnitorce (torch extinguishers), used by servants to put out their torches when the nobles returned at night.
Above them, the scene explodes. Two muscular satyrs, true telamons, bend under the weight of the main balcony, supporting with apparent effort not only the stone but also the symbol of the family's power: the great coat of arms of the Carafa della Spina.
Beyond the Threshold
This portal is not a simple entryway, but a curtain. Beyond it, a courtyard opens up where the wonder continues, featuring a majestic, arched monumental staircase that climbs towards the piani nobili (noble floors).
While walking through the Historic Centre, near Piazza San Domenico Maggiore, Palazzo Carafa della Spina serves as a reminder. It teaches us to look up and discover how, in Naples, even a façade can be transformed into a total work of art—a story of pride, mystery, and irrepressible imagination.
INFO
ADDRESS: Via Benedetto Croce, 45, 80134 Napoli NA
