The Royal Palace of Caserta, the Italian Versailles

The Royal Palace of Caserta, the Italian Versailles, symbol of the city and world heritage by UNESCO 1997, It is one of the many jewels of Campania Southern Italian. Commissioned by Charles III of Bourbon in 1700 the royal palace symbol of Caserta was built by Luigi Vanvitelli following the models of the Royal Palace of Versailles and the Palace of’Escorial in Madrid. It is now the largest royal residence in the world.

The Royal Palace of Caserta: interiors

The Royal Palace of Caserta is a splendid neoclassical building located on five floors with about 1200 including rooms including the Chapel of the Court and a theater modeled on the style of the Teatro San Carlo in Naples. It is divided into spaces of representation and the royal apartments, both highly decorated. Visiting the inside, what strikes visitors is the number of stucco works, reliefs, frescoes, sculptures, inlay floors that follow one after the other with great naturalness and harmony. Notable ones of Astrea Hall (Sala Astrea) Martian (Mars) and the Throne Room, the largest room in the royal apartments, used as a reception room for important personalities.

Other areas of particular relevance are the Art Gallery and the Palatine Library.

The gallery is organized as a series of connected rooms, He exposes countless paintings of still life and war and some of the Bourbon family portraits. In “old” apartment is facing the manger of Bourbon, the great passion of the family, where did the Neapolitan tradition of the Nativity.

The Palatine Library is part of the apartments of the Queen. refined woman of great culture, was the owner of a library elegantly decorated with reliefs and frescoes, like the one that reproduces the signs of the zodiac and constellations, made according to the drawings that Vanvitelli himself had produced. Even the rooms dedicated to the four seasons are very impressive.

Reggia di Caserta: Driving from the visit

How to get
Easily accessible by car, taxi, bus or train, the Royal Palace of Caserta is 38 kilometers from Naples and 200 kilometers from Rome. From Naples Central Station there are trains every 20 minutes. From Rome Termini (railway station) There are 4 lines “fast” Eurostar trains every day and 30 minutes. Once in Caserta, get to the Palace is really easy: the distance from the station is about 5 minute walk, crossing the square in front of the Royal Palace.

The best time to visit

The Royal Palace of Caserta is a destination all year round, but its extensive gardens are at their best in spring and summer. The complex is closed on Tuesdays. The Court Theater is open only on weekends. Some days are busier than others, including the first Sunday of each month, when there is free entry into the Palace and a reduced ticket for the park.

useful Tips

To enjoy the Royal Palace, the park, the English Garden and the collection “earthquake”, the only collection in the world that a single theme exhibits contemporary works of art of the '80s, you should plan to spend a full day in Caserta. Guided tours allow you to visit hidden places in the park and in the English Garden and discover the secrets inside the Palazzo Reale.Per those looking to add exercise and inspect the land, rent a bike is a good option. Do not miss the carriage rides and tours dedicated in the park.