A visitor to Naples and Campania with an interest in lavish excess will want to visit the Reggia di Caserta, the Bourbon Palace located in the heart of the town of Caserta, a five minute walk from the train station.
Construction of the palace for Charles VII of Naples started in 1752 under the supervision of architect Luigi Vanvitelli. Vanvitelli died in 1773: construction was completed by son Carlo in 1780. In 1764 there was a forced stoppage caused by famine and the epidemic that followed, an interesting fact to consider when you see the opulence on display. Money problems are evidenced by clever faux finishes that disguised common tile as marble or other stonework.
You won't get to visit all 1200 rooms in the palace modeled after Versailles, nor would you particularly want to. An hour or two for the palace, and another visiting the extensive grounds, gardens and waterworks will be plenty.
Enjoy our Caserta Royal Palace Pictures. Click each picture to see it larger.
- Graphic Index
- Text Index