Did you know that the world’s largest royal palace is in Campania, in the beautiful city of Caserta. Declared a “UNESCO World Heritage Site”, this building is the demonstration of how wonderful human artworks can be. Everyone is left with their mouth open in front of this architectural masterpiece of incredible dimensions which seems to extend as far as the eye can see.
The works for the “Reggia di Caserta” started in 1751 with Luigi Vanvitelli and it was concluded by his son Carlo in 1845. In this period, Rococo style was facing its downfall and it was leaving space to Neoclassicism, which will mark the 19th century with a strong artistic opposition to all the previous stylistic features. For this reason, the palace presents the cohabitation of various artistic styles and the result is outstanding.
The Baroque-Rococo style is distinguished by a decorative overabundance and by an exaggeration of complex curved shapes. The best example is the "Grand Staircase of Honour”, which also became the source of inspiration for makers of other following staircases. Alongside this majestic structure, you will admire some big statues and two spectacular staircases ending with two small temples and a "fake" decorative dome.
Instead, the Neoclassical style was inspired by Greek-Roman arts and was distinguished by semplification, geometrization, rationalism and decorative austerity. An example is the outer façade, which presents scarce decorations, plain colours and a rational quadrilateral structure.
The artwork commission was presented by Carlo III Borbone, who wanted to make Caserta the new cornerstone of the Kingdom of Naples.
It is a huge structure with a 47000 sq. m. surface, composed by five floors, four inner courtyards, some historical apartments, one "Palatine Chapel", a theater, the so-called "Quadreria" and a magnificent park. The gardens are divided in two parts and their style mixes the typical Italian Garden elements with the English one. Walk along the splendid boulevards embellished by fountains, sculptures and small woods, until reaching the incredible final waterfall! Inside the park, you will also find some beautiful thematic sculptural groups such as the one dedicated to hunting with "Diana and Atteone Fountain", which all represent humanity's achievements and progress.
The Royal Palace of Caserta is definitely an open-air masterpiece concealing innumerable wonders.
If you are staying in Campania for a few days or for a long summer holiday, do not forget to plan your visit to this stunning place!
Opening hours of the historical apartments, the park and the Quadreria are 8.30am-7.30pm, while the "Decorative Arts Tour" to the Staircase of Honour is by reservation only. Tickets cost €12 (full-price), €6 (half-price) and are free for under-18s.
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