Palazzo Sanfelice is an 18th-century Baroque palace on Via Sanità in Naples’s Rione Sanità. Ferdinando Sanfelice designed it between 1724 and 1726, bringing its two parts together behind a monumental façade. The courtyard is the main draw: arches and vaulted ceilings frame a branching staircase known as the “falcon-wing,” with a strong sense of depth. Late-afternoon light brings out the stairways’ sculptural shapes. The palace is still a residence, so keep your visit brief and treat the shared space with care.
A palace designed by Ferdinando Sanfelice
Ferdinando Sanfelice built Palazzo Sanfelice between 1724 and 1726. The palace has two distinct parts, joined by a single façade on Via Sanità. Its monumental gate marks the entrance to a courtyard whose architecture turns the journey inside into part of the visit.
The courtyard and its staircase
Arches and vaulted ceilings lead the eye toward the branching staircase, known as the “falcon-wing.” Its flights create a layered view through the courtyard, with sculptural forms and a pronounced sense of depth. The palace’s worn surfaces preserve the character of an old building that remains in residential use.
Light near dusk brings warm tones to the stairways. Palazzo dello Spagnolo, a few blocks away, provides a nearby point of comparison for Sanfelice’s architectural design.
Perguntas frequentes
Where is Palazzo Sanfelice?
It is at Via Sanità, 2/6, in the Rione Sanità district of Naples.
Can visitors climb the staircase?
Do not expect to climb it. Access to the stairs is restricted.
Can I take photographs inside?
Ask before taking photographs. Guidance on photography is inconsistent, and the courtyard is part of a residence.
