Maddaloni

The city is at the base of one of the Tifata hills, the towers of its medieval castle and the Church of San Michele crowning the heights above.

The fine old palace of the Caraffa family (once dukes of Maddaloni), the old college now named after Giordano Bruno, and the institute for the sons of soldiers are the chief points of interest.

The great hall has a ceiling, which is decorated with the largest canvas painting in the world spanning 720 square metres (7,800 sq ft).

[3][4][5][6] The "Villaggio dei Ragazzi" was originally a school for orphans founded in 1947 by local priest Don Salvatore D'Angelo.

The private school has become an important centre of learning in the province and has been run by the religious order The Legion of Christ since its founder died in 2000.

Maddaloni in the foreground, Mount Vesuvius and Capri in the background.