Palazzo Penne — il patto col diavolo
Napoli (NA)
Hidden gemCastles
The story
Antonio Penne wanted his palace built in a single night, and asked the devil for it in exchange for his soul. Then he cheated him with an impossible clause. The quills carved on the façade since 1406 are still there as a reminder.
Access
CLOSED: restoration works in progress. Reopening announced but repeatedly postponed
The story
Palazzo Penne is one of the very rare Late Gothic palaces of Naples, built in 1406 by Antonio Penne, secretary of King Ladislaus of Durazzo, as the inscription on the portal recalls. Its rusticated façade, with Catalan and Tuscan elements, is tied to one of the most famous legends of the city: that of the pact with the devil.
What to see
The fifteenth-century piperno façade, with the portal and the diamond-point rustication, unique of its kind in Naples. Tradition has it that Penne had promised his soul to the devil so that he would build the palace in one night, only to trick him with a wager on the grains of wheat: a popular fable sewn onto these stones.
Tips
The palace, long abandoned, is the subject of a long restoration: visitability is tied to the state of the works and to any openings. Check on the official channels whether it is accessible before going. The façade is admired in any case from the outside. You are in the centre, towards Montesanto.
Frequently asked questions
What is Palazzo Penne?
A rare Late Gothic palace of 1406, built by Antonio Penne, secretary of King Ladislaus; famous for the rusticated façade and for the legend of the pact with the devil.
What is the legend of Palazzo Penne?
Tradition tells that Penne promised his soul to the devil so that he would build the palace in one night, then tricked him with a wager on the grains of wheat: it is a popular fable, not a fact.
Can you visit Palazzo Penne?
It is the subject of a long restoration: visitability depends on the state of the works; it is best to check on the official channels. From the outside the fine fifteenth-century façade remains visible in any case.
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