Real Albergo dei Poveri

For King Charles III, who asked Architect Ferdinando Fuga to build it in 1751, it was supposed to give shelter to the kingdom's dispossessed. The Real Albergo dei Poveri was to be a symbol of his 'enlightened mercy'. A building that measured 600 metres in length and 135 in width, with five large courtyards and a star shaped church placed in its centre: this was the original, uncompleted project.

None the less, today the building coasts the entire square named after King Charles, and boasts record sizes: one hundred thousand square metres, a recently restored façade long 354 metres, nine kilometres of halls, 430 rooms on four floors. Abandoned for centuries, the Real Albergo dei Poveri is now a Unesco site. Starting from 2008, it has become stage of the Napoli Teatro Festival Italia that has made it, since the very beginning, the heart-centre of the event. For this edition, the Festival will use, along with some of its interiors, the square external courtyard installing a large stage and a structure to raise lights and audio materials. The gallery will count 400 spectators.