Spanish Fortress, Hvar, Croatia - SpottingHistory.com

The Spanish Fortress (Španjola) was built at the beginning of the 16th century (during the Venetian rule) and was reconstructed in 1579. Today the fort holds a collection of amphora and other exhibits from antiquity and the Middle Ages. Besides experiencing its exquisite architecture, you will experience an unforgettable panoramic view of the city of Hvar, its surroundings and the Pakleni islands.

References:

Visit Hvar

Castles and fortifications in Croatia

User Reviews

Rajko Keravica (2 years ago)
Would recommend. Its not big, but surely it is interesting. There is also underneath it a path that you can walk and see various species of plants. Although this road leads to the walls and the doors, these are locked, so be careful not to make a wrong turn, there are sings drawn on pavement. Up in the fortress there is a cafe and a small prison wich was really cool to see. Grab your self a combo ticket for a theatre wich is located in the city, which really pays off.

Tito Lins e Silva (2 years ago)
Small tour but totally worth it. Amazing view from the city and the pakleni islands and great story behind the fortress itself and the shipwrecks nearby.

Pedro Valle (2 years ago)
To be very honest, the fortress itself is lacking of luster, but the views are to die for.

Igor Filko (2 years ago)
Genuine fortress with high walls, lookouts, cannons and dungeon. Real old but taken care of and provides a great view of the city. Hot as hell since there is no shade except in the dungeons which are fairly cool in contrast. Remarkable how small the cells in dungeons are. You would want to avoid getting jailed in those times. Small museum on site. Displayed several items from the sea floor which went down with some galleons and merchant ships hundreds of years ago. Something to visit.

Elliot Wasow (2 years ago)
Cool fortress with nice views over Grad Hvar. The prison cells were really haunting.

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Royal Palace of Naples

Royal Palace of Naples was one of the four residences near Naples used by the Bourbon Kings during their rule of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies (1734-1860): the others were the palaces of Caserta, Capodimonte overlooking Naples, and the third Portici, on the slopes of Vesuvius.

Construction on the present building was begun in the 17th century by the architect Domenico Fontana. Intended to house the King Philip III of Spain on a visit never fulfilled to this part of his kingdom, instead it initially housed the Viceroy Fernando Ruiz de Castro, count of Lemos. By 1616, the facade had been completed, and by 1620, the interior was frescoed by Battistello Caracciolo, Giovanni Balducci, and Belisario Corenzio. The decoration of the Royal Chapel of Assumption was not completed until 1644 by Antonio Picchiatti.

In 1734, with the arrival of Charles III of Spain to Naples, the palace became the royal residence of the Bourbons. On the occasion of his marriage to Maria Amalia of Saxony in 1738, Francesco De Mura and Domenico Antonio Vaccaro helped remodel the interior. Further modernization took place under Ferdinand I of the Two Sicilies. In 1768, on the occasion of his marriage to Maria Carolina of Austria, under the direction of Ferdinando Fuga, the great hall was rebuilt and the court theater added. During the second half of the 18th century, a 'new wing' was added, which in 1927 became the Vittorio Emanuele III National Library. By the 18th century, the royal residence was moved to Reggia of Caserta, as that inland town was more defensible from naval assault, as well as more distant from the often-rebellious populace of Naples.

During the Napoleonic occupation the palace was enriched by Joachim Murat and his wife, Caroline Bonaparte, with Neoclassic decorations and furnishings. However, a fire in 1837 damaged many rooms, and required restoration from 1838 to 1858 under the direction of Gaetano Genovese. Further additions of a Party Wing and a Belvedere were made in this period. At the corner of the palace with San Carlo Theatre, a new facade was created that obscured the viceroyal palace of Pedro de Toledo.

In 1922, it was decided to transfer here the contents of the National Library. The transfer of library collections was made by 1925.

The library suffered from bombing during World War II and the subsequent military occupation of the building caused serious damage. Today, the palace and adjacent grounds house the famous Teatro San Carlo, the smaller Teatrino di Corte (recently restored), the Biblioteca Nazionale Vittorio Emanuele III, a museum, and offices, including those of the regional tourist board.

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