Reggia di Caserta / Royal Palace of Caserta
Hi guys, today, we’ll go on a journey to one of Italy’s most magnificent and lesser-known treasures— the Royal Palace of Caserta, that is, Reggia di Caserta. Often referred to as the ‘Versailles of Italy’, this royal palace is a stunning example of Baroque architecture and opulent design. Let’s dive into the history, beauty, and secrets of this incredible palace!
Located in Southern Italy, in the heart of the Campania region, just north of Naples, it’s a 40-minute drive from Naples in a city called Caserta.
FUN-FACT:
Did you know that the first written reference to the bidet shows up in Italy in 1726, precisely, right here at the Royal Palace of Caserta. Somewhere around the later half of the 18th century, Maria Carolina of Austria, Queen of Naples and Sicily is said to have requested a bidet for use in her bathroom at the Royal Palace of Caserta.
The Reggia di Caserta is a huge, monumental building with important architectural, artistic and natural heritage. It consists of the Royal Palace, the Royal Park, the English Garden, the Wood of San Silvestro and the Caroline Aqueduct and has been a World Heritage Site since 1997.
In 1751, Charles of Bourbon, that is, Charles VII, king of Naples, commissioned the construction of the project to the architect Luigi Vanvitelli. Charles wanted the Royal Palace of Caserta to be the symbol of the new Bourbon Government, powerful and magnificent, but also modern and efficient.
The royal palace of Caserta is not only the largest palace in Europe, but one that is the grandest, most visionary, and the ultimate expression of the Baroque form of art in architecture.
The grounds and palace hall of this massive 18th-century complex that spans 47, 000 square meters and it is recommended that you hire bikes, a horse-drawn carriage, or use the shuttle bus to make the most of all of the sights on offer.
A Quick History
The construction of the palace began on 20th January 1752 as Charles VII, king of Naples, envisioned a palace similar to the Palace of Versailles, commissioning the architect Luigi Venvitelli with the monumental task.
Designed by the renowned architect Luigi Vanvitelli, the palace was intended to rival the grandeur of Versailles and serve as a symbol of the Bourbon dynasty’s power. Vanvitelli’s masterpiece features over 1,200 rooms, a stunning chapel, a grand theater, and an expansive park stretching over 120 hectares.
Under King Louis XIV of France, Versailles was the center of all political and social action in France.
Charles VII had a similar idea; the palace would be home, court and government, university, library, and, in general, home to every important function of the Kingdom of Naples, a small city that blended into the natural scenery of Southern Italy.
And there is another similarity between the two kings and palaces. King Louis XIV of France built Versailles so he could get away from the chaotic Paris that he hated and feared because of the violence he once suffered under the Parisian mobs.
Similarly, King Charles VII of Naples feared the violence-prone city of Naples and Reggia di Caserta was his solution to the problem.
However, Charles VII did not see the completion of the palace. Drawn to the more powerful crown of Spain because of his Bourbon blood, King Charles VII of Naples became King Charles III of Spain in 1759, leaving the massive project to his son King Ferdinand IV of Naples.
In time, the palace would survive the frequent Italian wars, Italian Unification, and both World Wars, lootings, and even bombings.
The beauty of the palace would lead the Italian government in trying to restore and recover the looted furniture and decorations of the looted palace. More recently, the palace is a museum and has served as a movie set for box office blockbuster films such as Star Wars, Mission Impossible III, and my all time favorite … Angels and Demons based on the novel by Dan Brown.
READ:
The Grand Entrance Hall
As soon as you step inside, you are greeted by the majestic grand staircase, a true marvel of design and engineering. This staircase leads to the royal apartments and is adorned with intricate marble details and towering columns. It’s easy to see why this palace was the pride of the Bourbon kings.
If you watched the movie Angels and Demons you will remember this scene …
Throne Room, Royal apartments, and other lavish interiors.
The interior of the Reggia di Caserta is a testament to the lavish lifestyle of the Bourbon monarchy. The Throne Room, with its gilded decorations and stunning frescoes, was used for royal audiences and ceremonies. The royal apartments, decorated with exquisite tapestries, furniture, and artwork, provide a glimpse into the luxurious lives of the palace’s inhabitants.
Generally, great constructions like cathedrals and palaces would take decades or centuries. More importantly, they would go through different eras in art and architecture, meaning that they would also involve different architects and designers.
Because of aesthetics and attempts at retaining the holistic ideas behind the constructions, the final product usually results in things of beauty.
With Reggia di Caserta, there were no fears that the final product could possibly come into conflict with the original conception. Reggia di Caserta is regarded as grander than even the Palace of Versailles because the entire complex was the product of a single architect’s imagination and planning. This remained the case even when the original architect, Vanvitelli, died in 1773.
I would argue that the palace is more grand – more magnificent – than it is beautiful. It is a place full of ideas. For one, Charles VII demanded that the architect install a grand staircase similar to the one in Versailles. This would establish the king’s majesty and focus all attention on the king as he descended towards his court.
1200 rooms would house the court, alongside the nearly 1000 fireplaces, theatre, library, dozens of state apartments, and the before-mentioned army barracks. There are pavilions and balustrades, courtyards and courts; all meant to provide a home away from home for Naples’ nobles and administrative officials.
And as with most Baroque works, it would be a place of light and lightness. The palace had some 1742 windows in total and was designed according to a rectangular pattern with arms to the sides.
As for the Throne Room…words cannot describe the grand magnificence that is light and color as sunlight streams in via the massive windows and doors. With the white stone of the exterior, the palace appears as if floating or suspended in the air. Simply put, you have to be here to really appreciate the greatness of the vision behind this palace complex.
The Park
But the opulence doesn’t stop inside. The gardens of Reggia di Caserta are equally breathtaking. Inspired by the gardens of Versailles, they feature beautiful fountains, sculptures, and water features, including the famous Great Waterfall. These gardens were designed not just for leisure but to impress visitors with the kingdom’s wealth and sophistication.
Among the highlights of the palace’s grounds is the English Garden, one of the earliest examples of an English-style garden in Italy. Commissioned by Queen Maria Carolina, this garden offers a serene escape with its picturesque landscapes, winding paths, and exotic plants.
Just like with Versailles, there would be a great park designed after the Baroque fashion. This meant fountains and statues, water canals and water cascades propelled by hydraulics, and an English-styled botanical garden.
The most notable would be the fountains which would feature figures out of Greek mythology. These would be fountains dedicated to Venus and Adonis for beauty, Diana and Actaeon for nature and herding, Aeolus for the four winds, and Ceres in her capacity as the goddess of agriculture.
Tips
1. Avoid Summer months
Firstly, summer is not the best time to visit Reggia di Caserta, if heat is not your thing. It’s brutally hot, tho you could decide to walk along the bike path where there is shade, but its still hot. A hat, a bottle of water and lots of sunscreen is my recommendation. As you can see, I was fully covered from head to toe becaused I’m 40 and I’m trying to age gracefully. Lol!
2. If you can’t drive, TRAIN IT!
There are direct trains from Naples incase you don’t have a car and if coming from Rome, theres a direct speed train which takes about 1 hour and 6 minutes. The Caserta railway station was built right in front of the Royal Palace in 1843. The reason was simple: to allow the Bourbon sovereigns to reach the palace directly by train.
3. You don’t need a tour guide.
Having a tour guide will regale you with the in-depth story behind the history of the palace, including when both Nazis and the Allies may have looted the great palace. If you choose to do it free style, there are visitors guide bronchures issued at the entrance and a bookshop.
4. Lots of bidets around!
A visit here might even take you all day, though half a day is more likely. Fortunately, there are toilets available on the grounds, and you might even get to use a bidet yourself! Restaurants are available, as are luggage stores and bike rentals.
5. Don’t stress it, rent a bike, horse or bus!
There are also scooters at the ticket office on request. There are wheelchairs for the physically disabled available, and if they are citizens, they and their companion can enter for free! So, carry your ID!
6. Dressing!
Casual dress – though modest dressing – is advised. They ask that visitors wear clothes that cover the arms and shoulders, so no vests or see-through clothes. Best carry your own water, sunglasses, sunscreen, and wide-brimmed hat if you plan to walk the grounds in Summer.
7. Wear comfy shoes!
It is a 15-minute walk from the bus stop to Reggia di Caserta, then to tour the massive Palace – to say nothing of the grounds – comfortable shoes are advised!
8. Charges!
Finally, they charge differently for the different sections of the palace grounds and complex. For example, it is 18 euros for the park and apartments. Online reservations are possible, but there is an additional fee to do that!
EU citizens are charged less, as are children under 18, so again, carry your ID or passport!
9. Time!
They open 9 am to 7:30 pm, with groups going in every 30 minutes, but the last time people can go in is at 6:30 pm.
10. Don’t miss the city of Caserta!
Then after exploring Reggia di Caserta, walk through the main town of Caserta and also sample the food of this region, in general, you can never go wrong eating food in the Campania region of Italy.
Typical dishes in the Campania region:
1. Pizza Margherita
The traditional pizza Margherita consists of tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, and a drizzle of olive oil over basil leaves that top a typical wheat dough. It was first invented in the 19th century in honor of Queen Margherita of Savoy’s visit to a Neapolitan restaurant.
2. Mozzarella di Bufala DOP
Buffalo mozzarella is a famous cheese made from buffalo milk.
3. Spaghetti con Vongole
My favorite, It’s simply Spaghetti with clams – a classic Campania dish. Spaghetti con Vongole is popular on the Amalfi Coast, the islands of (SCENES) Capri and Ischia, as well as around the elongated Campania coastline.
4. Risotto alla Pescatora
The classic rice dish of Campania highlights the stunning seafood of the coastal areas in the popular city of Naples and the charming towns of the Amalfi Coast. While risotto is associated more with northern Italy, Risotto alla Pescatore blends the richness of the rice base with the refreshing briny flavors of the sea. The name reflects the nature of the dish, which when translated means “fisherman’s risotto”.
Then there is,
5. Tartufo di Bagnoli Irpino
The black truffle – not my favorite though. You simply can’t go wrong in Campania region.
That is it for Reggia di Caserta, and I have a full YouTube video on Reggia di Caserta. Please subscribe to my channel for more videos across Italy.
Until the next post, Ciao! Ciao!
