Castel dell'Ovo is one of the symbols of the city of Napoli. The majestic structure is among the most famous in Italy. However, many are unaware of the intriguing legend that characterizes it. The myth wants it to be hidden from you the egg of the mermaid Partenope. This would be the work of Virgil, who would have well hidden the precious object in the basement of the castle, once known as Castel Marino.
Everything depends on that egg: the fate of the castle and of the entire city of Naples. The myth has it that the structure is still standing thanks to the presence of the object hidden by Virgil. How can we forget the legendary "emergency response" of the Queen Giovanna, handed down from generation to generation. The sovereign reassured the citizens after the earthquake of 1370. The damage suffered by the city was enormous, with the people worried about the fate of the egg and, therefore, of all of them. The queen explained to them that she had promptly replaced the egg, avoiding any misfortune.
The legend of Castel dell'Ovo
The myth tells that in the sea of Naples there were mermaids, beings half female and half bird. Among them also the mermaid Partenope. Together with her sisters Ligia and Leucosia, she tried to shipwreck Ulysses who, shrewd as he was, decided to be tied to the ship's mast, so as to resist their song.
The despair gripped the three sirens, who let themselves go adrift, with Partenope who got entangled among the rocks of Megaride. It was here that she lost her life, but not before laying an egg. This was collected by Virgil, not only a poet but also a magician and thaumaturge. Believing it enchanted, he hid it in the basement of Castel Marino, placing it in a glass jug full of water, protected by an iron cage, hanging from an oak beam. Here, then, is the reason for the new name of the castle. Legend tells of the crucial nature of the hidden egg. If it had been found or broken, the castle would have sunk into the sea and the city of Naples would have been hit by a series of misfortunes.
What was the egg?
Wanting to analyze the term egg from the esoteric point of view, we refer to thealchemical element of the Athanor. It is a small metal container or a particular glass, used for the slow transmutation of the primary elements into precious metal, or gold.
There is news of the presence of several alchemist monks on the islet of Megaride, where esoteric experiments were carried out, as was the case in the secret of various monasteries of the time. However, the truth about Virgil's egg has been lost. The poet's alchemical studies were stolen from his tomb by an English doctor during the siege of Ruggiero the Norman.
Details on the Castel dell'Ovo
The Castel dell'Ovo, as it is known today, sees its name deriving from the Latin Castrum Ovi. It is the oldest castle in the city of Naples. An enchanted place, which stands out in the splendid panorama of the Neapolitan gulf. It is located in front of via Partenope and behind it there is a bright sea illuminated by the sun. A tourist area among the most important in the city, with numerous clubs and restaurants in what is known as the Borgo Marinari, located at the base of the ancient structure.
The castle stands on the tuff islet of Megaride, once known as Megaris, joined to the mainland by a thin strip of rock. A natural offshoot of Mount Echia. It is here that Parthenope was founded in the eighth century BC, by human hand.
