How did Angevin rule restore Naples as a major cultural capital?
The establishment of the Angevin dynasty in 1266 marked a pivotal shift for Naples, as the new rulers moved their base of control to the city and initiated major infrastructure projects, such as the construction of the Castel Nuovo and the SantâElmo fortress.12
Angevin monarchs and their successors actively transformed Naples into a cultural capital by attracting prominent figures of Italian literature and thought, as well as skilled northern architects and artists. During the 14th century, King Robert served as a significant patron of the arts, inviting renowned poets like Petrarch and Boccaccio to his court and commissioning frescoes by Giotto. Queen Joan I also continued this tradition as a dedicated patron of scholars and poets. This environment fostered a legacy of Gothic and Renaissance monuments that solidified the city's status as a regional and cultural center.213