St. Elmo's Fire

Castel Sant Elmo, shortened from St. Erasmus, the patron saint of sailors. Now, this is not the original St. Elmo's Fire, nor is it the movie. The original is a weather event witnessed usually by sailors! Here however, at The star-shaped Castel, lightning did strike the gunpowder stored at the castle and blew the place to bits.

Built on the site of a 10th century church, this castle has gone under hundreds of years of reconstruction and additions, resulting in a spectacular star-shaped design. Yes, we crossed the draw-bridge over what was once a moat, now a roadway.

Atop the roof, after walking through the cobblestone pathways where you could feel the horse and carriages, and pass by the 12 cannons strategically placed in pairs, you arrive on the ramparts to a 360 view of the bay of Naples and the entire city below you.

Inns, the recently enclosed downtown shopping mall, out to sea.

St. Elmo's church, with cloisters is directly below and adjacent to the castle. 

Mount Vesuvius in the distance.