Palace of Caserta

The Palace of Caster was built in the 18th Century by the Bourbon kings of Naples. It is often referred to as Italy's answer to the French Palace of Versailles. Caserta was one of the largest palaces built in the 18th Century.

Charles VII of Naples intiated construction of the palace in 1752, however, he never got to stay there as in 1759 he abdicated to beome the King of Spain.

Caserta is big, it has over 1,200 rooms,24 state apartments, a library and a theatre that was modelled after the famous Teatrop San Carlo in Naples.

There was to be a grand 20 km road that would run from Naples to the Palace, but that part was never constructed.

Events that took place here include the signing of the agreement of surrender by Germany.

The sights in the palace include the stairway of honour, the apartments, picture gallery, lobby, library, chapel and the court theatre and opera museum.

 

Surrounding the palace is a large park. There are numerous fountains that fill a basin and a wide canal that runs as far as the eye can see. Pictured above is looking back down the canal towards the palace.

As you walk around you may recall seeing parts of the palace in movies such as Star Wars III or Mission Impossible III.

Caserta is about a half-hour drive from Naples or car, or you can travel by train.