Caserta

Caserta is known as the "Versailles of Naples" because of the Royal Palace built here by Vanvitelli in 1752 for the Bourbon King Charles III. He wanted a royal palace and seat of government away from congested Naples. The palace with the main façade of the yellow stucco and travertine building is almost 250 m. long. The utterly symmetrical Neo-Classical plan has for identical inner courtyards. It contains a majestic staircase and a series of vast consecutive rooms (1.200 about) with frescoes and furniture, still providing an idea of the past splendor. Opposite the main entrance, the Palace gate opens onto the park and gardens stretch for three kilometers north beyond the back façade of the palace. Sculptures, fountains and monumental water cascade, along with an English garden and man-made lake with an island are all part of the impressive landscape.