The Spectacle of The Palace of Caserta, Italy

A colossal museum; one of the largest in the world. That’s all the information we had before we visited the Palace of Caserta. Lo and behold! The very first impression of the mansion never failed to live up to that expectation. Yet, marvelling at the exterior of the Palace of Caserta, we knew little that the interior would be matchlessly magnificent. Would an overcast and drizzling day be ideal to visit the Palace of Caserta? I do think so as the summer days are already here in Italy. To cover an area of 47,000 square meters walking through hundreds of rooms is no trivial activity. And more taxing it is to cover the stretch of almost three kilometres long garden. Once you have walked through the entrance, the staff would guide you which area you should visit first. I was directed towards the Palace entrance.

History of the Royal Palace of Caserta

A young King, Charles of Bourbon (1716-1788) reigning the throne of Naples in the 1740s, envisioned the outstanding project of the Royal Palace of Caserta. Quest for a new capital not far from Naples, zeroed in on Caserta. On the 20th of January 1752, the King laid the foundation stone of the marathon project. Luigi Vanvitelli, one of the greatest Italian architects of the 18th century was the chief architect. From 1752, the work continued on until 1845. Works running through different decades meant rooms and enhancements therein reflect the changes in era. Back then, the Royal Palace of Caserta was one of the largest buildings erected in Europe. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Palace of Caserta reflects the might of the Bourbons in the 18^th and 19^th centuries.

The Royal Palace

Even before entering the palace, you will be asked to leave your backpack and food items in the clock room. Since the area is always flooded with tourists, you do not need to look for signs or guides to find your way. Guided tours are available though. Although, we did not opt for it, if you have a panache for the historical monuments, arts and architecture, it is totally worth and recommended. Just flow with the tide of visitors and you are never lost here despite its enormous size. Five floors, 1,200 rooms, 1,742 windows, 1026 fireplaces, innumerable paintings and elaborate decorative works summarize the Royal Palace of Caserta.

Packed with the court chapel, the library, impressive 34 stairways and a theatre, the palace is purely a work of art. Baroque art at its best is illustrated in each of the painted rooms. The paintings on roofs of the rooms will certainly arrest your attention. Ideally 4-5 hours will suffice to cover almost all the areas of the palace open to the public. After collecting the baggage, walk towards the garden area behind the palace.

The Royal Garden

A royal garden befitting a magnificent palace. Well, if you thought the garden is like the Miracle Garden in Dubai or something of the sort, you’re mistaken. Construction of the garden started in 1753, and was completed by Carlo Vanvitelli, son of Luigi.

At one glace, it is a plain, endless stretch of grassy meadow until your eyes meet a waterfall at far end. The beauty of the garden lies in its ‘telescope effect’ when looked from the palace. Stretching 120 hectares of land with a slight upward slant towards the hilly terrain, the garden walk is a pleasing experience. Of course, it’s not a cakewalk for everyone. But worry not. You can avail the minibus shuttle service or hire bikes. In my experience, it is worth a leisurely walk.

In simple terms the garden is a neatly-cut, grassy-lawns on either side of broad space to walk or ride surrounded by a forested area. As you walk the three-kilometres stretch, a chain of mini flower gardens, basins with fishes and fountains keep you amused. There are resting and washroom areas. Halfway between the Reggia and the Fountain of Diana and Actaeon, stop to admire the Fountain of Aeolus. In fact, each section of these basins and fountains are named. You can also take a break to enjoy food if you have carried it as long as you don’t litter. Botanical garden, called The English Garden and cascade at far end add more charm to the garden.

How to reach?

Easily accessible by road or train from all the towns in the country. Palace is nearly 40 kilometres away from Naples which has an airport. There is a metro rail station right in front of the palace.

Ticket

€18 for adults and free for those under 18 provided you are a citizen of Eu union.

And if you are planning your trip on 1^st Sunday of the month, entrance is free.

Interesting facts

• It is the largest palace in the world.
• It was intended to function as a small city.
• The palace has a rectangular design with four inner courts.
• During the reign of Napoleon, construction was halted until Bourbons returned.
• The palace was a major shelter for the invaders during WW II.
• It was the location of the Accademia Aeronautica, the Italian Air Force Academy from 1923 to 1943.
• The palace has been a location for major films such as Angels and Demons, The Two Popes, Star Wars, Mission Impossible and more.

Points to note

• It is a perfect day-trip destination in Naples
• Open from 8.30 AM till 7.30 PM
• Tickets can be purchased at the entrance but the queue can be long
• To visit the palace and garden, you require separate passes.
• Advised to prebook ticket online
• Bicycle, quad tour, tandem tour, bus tour and horse-drawn carriage tour are available
• The audio guide is available in English, Italian, Spanish, German and French
• Photography is allowed
• Food and beverages are allowed inside the premises although not inside the palace
• Closed on all the Tuesdays