Palazzo Sanfelice is an 18th-century Baroque palace in Naples’ Rione Sanità, a lively neighbourhood north of the historic centre. Architect Ferdinando Sanfelice designed it as a residence for his family in the 1720s, giving the city one of its most distinctive examples of Neapolitan Baroque architecture.
The reason to visit is the courtyard staircase: a soaring arrangement of open arches and branching flights often likened to an eagle’s wings. It turns an everyday route to the upper floors into a theatrical architectural feature, revealing the flair for inventive staircases that became a hallmark of Sanfelice’s work.
Unlike a polished museum, the palazzo remains a residential building, where grand design sits alongside the rhythms of daily life. It makes a rewarding stop on a walk through the Sanità, perhaps paired with the Basilica di Santa Maria della Sanità and the neighbourhood’s catacombs.
Visit in the morning or early afternoon for the best chance of light in the courtyard, and wear comfortable shoes for the walk through the district’s narrow streets. Access can vary, so be prepared to admire the building from outside. If the courtyard is open, keep voices low, photograph discreetly and respect residents’ privacy.