Whenever one talks of Italy, the first thing that comes to the mind is Rome and think of a landmark, more or less it will be Colosseum/Vatican/Trevi Fountain or any other visitor site but not Caserta Royal Palace. This is one of the best kept secrets of Bourbon Royal Family of Italy and is the world's largest palace by volume and was one of the largest palaces in Europe in 18th century. Close to 88 hectares, the palace is Baroque style and has Neoclassical Architecture.Trains for Caserta can be taken from Rome (from North) or Naples (from South). Very easy to reach and 5 mins walking distance from the Caserta train station. Please be prepared to walk the parks and gardens. For seniors and others who do not want to walk the length and breadth of the gardens can take the bus rides (€5 return, €2.50 single). The drop off point is good walk away from the waterfall. This marvellous place was designed by the architect Luigi Vanvitelli - The Father of Neoclassical Architecture. The water is brought right to the kitchens of the Royal Palace by "Telescope Effect" waterfall. Vast expanse of land and well kept gardens will entice you to discover more of the hidden treasures. The whole walk of the gardens - to and fro would be arouund 5 kms. Tickets are Adults - €12. Kids (show age proof) under 18 go free, so don't be surprised if you see lot of kids during the school (half) term breaks. The Royal apartments are beautiful and impressive and if you want to know the intricacies of the Palace please do take the audio guides before entering the Apartments (€5) as they do provide lot of information. Grand entrance to the State Apartment will be etched in your mind. The wide grandiose stairs reaching to the mezzanine's vestibule leading to the Royal Chapel is also amazing. After the World War blitz, the chapel has been refurbished. There are some pillars that have been left out deliberately to show some of the extent of damage during the War. The Palace has 1200 rooms and has one of a kind court theatre. The State apartments are even grander than the modest entrance to the State Apartments. In the apartments, the names of the Royals are missing from the bust in the very first room, making it difficult to get the names of the people. Solid marble top tables and chairs with original fabric can be seen. The rooms are tastefully done and the other furnishings are also displayed. The frescoes in each of the rooms are simply amazing and has a story to each of the frescoes. The sculpture in the rooms by various sculptors and paintings by different artists bring out the royal taste of art. There are lot of sculptures, paintings, bronze, chinaware and books. The Kings bed chamber, toilets, reception rooms and the Season themed rooms are sheer brilliance! The gilded Throne Room is a must and not to be missed!!The huge rooms library has lot of books for the 18th century along with the maps and globes! Contemporary art/paintings/sculptures were also on display. I guess - to literally look at the rooms would take a day or two but if only the important bits are taken into consideration then a day should be enough. You would be able to take pram/strollers/buggy/pushcarts can be taken into the state apartments (but will have to carry the buggy up the stairs - I did see couple of them) and in the gardens as it has motorable road. The toilets are available on the sides of roads but not very well maintained. Hot running water was available (but not in all) when we visited and in some there were no toilet tissues!! If visiting during summer, bring water bottles as there are no drinking water fountains. Cafe does have fair choices for food and drink though. Wheelchair accessibility to the gardens but not to...
Read moreLocated at Piazza Carlo di Borbone, 81100 Caserta CI, Italy 🇮🇹. The Royal Palace of Caserta is a former Royal residence in Caserta, Campania, 35km north of Naples. It was constructed by the House of Bourbon-Two Sicilies as their main residence as Kings of Naples. The complex is the largest palace erected in Europe during the 18th century. 1997, it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Royal Palace of Caserta is the largest former royal residence in the world covering an area of 47,000 metres squared. Construction of the palace started in 1752 for King Charles VII of Naples (later Charles II of Spain). In the end he never spent a night there as he abdicated to become King of Spain. Admission Tickets - 18€ Including - Royal Palace (Royal Apartments and Court Theatre) Royal Park and English Garden The Royal Palace of Caserta is hands down one of the most stunning Palaces I have seen. The grandeur of the Palace, its apartments and the Gardens were breathtaking. The throne room and the staircase were maybe the highlights but that didn’t take away from the rest of the complex. The artwork and architecture was magnificent, I was humbled by the craftsmanship and intricacies of the carving and paintings I had a truly memorable visit. There’s a shuttle bus to help get around the complex, I recommend taking advantage as it’s huge. It’s active all day during opening hours. I used the audio guide and it helped a lot. I was able to go at my own pace and it provided so much interesting information about the Palace and its history and art. Cost individual audioguide Real Apartments + individual audioguide Real Park 8€. Remember to wear comfortable shoes as there’s a lot of walking. There are bike rentals available to get around the Royal Park also. Also, plan to get there early morning and be there 6-7 hours. That’s how I was. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend visiting this wonderful place. It was fantastic. Thumbs...
Read moreThe Royal Palace of Caserta, located in Caserta, Italy, is one of the most magnificent royal residences in Europe and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built in the 18th century for the Bourbon kings of Naples, the palace is a masterpiece of Baroque and Neoclassical architecture and is often referred to as the "Versailles of Italy." Designed by the architect Luigi Vanvitelli, the palace is a sprawling complex spanning over 45,000 square meters, with over 1,200 rooms, making it one of the largest palaces in the world.
The highlight of the Royal Palace of Caserta is its stunning Grand Staircase, a majestic double staircase adorned with marble sculptures and frescoes depicting scenes from classical mythology. The staircase leads to the royal apartments, which are lavishly decorated with gilded ceilings, ornate furnishings, and priceless works of art. Visitors can explore the opulent State Rooms, including the Throne Room, the Ballroom, and the Royal Chapel, each showcasing the wealth and grandeur of the Bourbon monarchy.
Surrounding the palace is a vast park and gardens, designed in the style of the famous gardens of Versailles. The park features expansive lawns, ornamental fountains, and sculpted hedges, as well as a majestic waterway known as the Great Cascade. Visitors can wander through the park's winding pathways, discover hidden grottoes, and marvel at the intricately landscaped gardens, providing a tranquil retreat from the bustle of the city.
Today, the Royal Palace of Caserta is open to the public and serves as a cultural and historical landmark, attracting visitors from around the world. Its magnificent architecture, opulent interiors, and sprawling gardens continue to captivate visitors, offering a glimpse into the splendor of Italy's royal past and the enduring legacy of the...
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