Royal Palace, Caserta
The Royal Palace of Caserta is truly a majestic palace of the kings of Naples. The palace was constructed in the 18th century and is recognized as the largest building erected in that century in Europe. The palace encompasses an area of 61 thousand square meters and includes 1200 rooms. In 1997, the palace complex was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
History of the Palace of Caserta
The Royal Palace in Caserta was erected in the suburbs to serve as the main residence for the Bourbon kings of Naples since the principal palace in Naples itself was vulnerable to attacks from the sea.
Luigi Vanvitelli, a famous Italian architect, became the author of the project. The architecture was inspired by the French Versailles and the Royal Palace in Madrid, in which King Charles VII of Bourbon spent his childhood.
Construction lasted several decades, from 1752 to 1845, with the first stone laid on the birthday of the king, but the royal family moved into the palace in 1780. The landscape was completely changed and the city of Caserta was reestablished 10 km from the site to make possible the construction of the palace. The palace complex included a church, a theatre, and a park that is still considered the largest one in Italy.
How to get there
Caserta is located 35 km from Naples, it is most convenient to get to the palace from Naples by:
- car — take motorways A1/E35;
- bus or train — Caserta is located on a regular route.
