The Royal Palace of Naples

The Royal Palace of Naples is an historic building located in Piazza Plebiscito, one of the city’s landmarks. It’s museum complex holds objects, decors, tapestries and rooms dating back to the Spanish and Bourbon periods and important paintings and frescoes by artists of the time.
It was from the palace that the Spanish and Bourbon dynasties ruled much of southern Italy, including Sicily for several hundred years .This was known as the Kingdom of Naples.

The palace, which overlooks the Bay of Naples and its port attracts millions of visitors each year. It was the historic residence of the Spanish viceroys for over 150 years. Its construction was commissioned by Fernando Ruiz de Castro, viceroy of the kingdom of Naples, to host Philip III of Habsburg, king of Spain, for his visit, although this never happened..

Construction of the building started in 1600, by Domenico Fontana, considered at that time the most prestigious architect in the Western world, who gave to the building a late-Renaissance influence .

In 1734 Naples was conquered by Charles of Bourbon who decided to use the palace as a royal residence. It was enlarged and the marble and painted decorations were rebuilt in Baroque style by Francesco De Muraand Antonio Vaccaro.

With the Unification of Italy, the Palace became the residence of the new Italian kings from the House of Savoy , even though the royals only occasionally lived here . In 1919 Victor Emmanuel III of Savoy ceded it to the State Property, which converted it for the most part into the National Library. The oldest wing was designated as a museum.

The Royal Palace has a main facade, which opens to Piazza Plebiscito, 169 meters long. There are also numerous outdoor areas that you can visit: the courtyard of honor, the courtyard of the coaches, the belvedere courtyard and the hanging gardens, which offer a wonderful view of the Gulf of Naples and Vesuvius. From the courtyard of Honor you can also access the Royal Gardens, a park full of statues, avenues and “secret” paths.

The nearby San Carlo Theater belongs to the complex. It is one of the most famous and prestigious theaters in the world, built by Antonio Medrano, and inaugurated in 1737 . The theatre is connected directly to the royal palace with two foyers and through the garden.

Destination: Italy