The Royal Palace of Naples
The Royal Palace of Naples: history
Il Royal Palace of Naples fu founded in the seventeenth century to host the Kings of Spain, commissioned by the Spanish Viceroy, but has since become the center of the monarchical power of Naples, also hosting the Austrian kings, the Bourbons and was also home of the Savoy dynasty after the unification of Italy. The Palace represented one of the four residences of the Borbone dynasty of Naples (the other three are the Royal Palace of Capodimonte, the Reggia of Portici and the Royal Palace of Caserta).
This imposing and majestic palace that still dominates is famous Plebiscito Square it was made in 1600 by Domenico Fontana commissioned by the viceroy Fernando Ruiz de Castro, who wanted to host King Philip III of Spain on an official visit to Naples, capital of the viceroyalty, in a spacious and comfortable place. An opportunity that never came true, given the volatility of King Philip III who decided to cancel the visit. But Naples found himself, almost by chance, finally having a Royal Palace that, from that moment, became one of the most prestigious royal residences, rich in masterpieces of art and precious objects that belonged to the royals of four dynasties.
Royal Palace, originally designed by the architect Domenico Fontana, it was then finished by Luigi Vanvitelli and Gaetano Genovese which, commissioned by Ferdinand II of Bourbon, restored and modernized the entire structure after the fire of the 1837 that damaged the palace. It was Genovese who renovated the impressive Marble Honor staircase, located at the entrance of the Palace, and to add the famous Ala delle feste, which currently houses the National Library.
What to visit in the Royal Palace of Naples
Inside the Palazzo Reale you can visit the historic apartment used as a museum, which contains, among the many rooms, the Court Theater, the Sala del Trono, the Sala di Mariacristina di Savoia and the Royal Chapel, which contain prestigious masterpieces made by most famous painters of the Bourbon period such as Guercino, Andrea Vaccaro, Mattia Preti, Massimo Stanzione, Francesco De Mura, Battistello Caracciolo, Luca Giordano, Filippo and Nicola Palizzi and Consalvo Carelli.
Do not miss the walk outside the Palazzo Reale, crossing the courtyard of Honor, the courtyard of carriages, the belvedere courtyard and the hanging gardens, which offer a splendid view of the Gulf of Naples and Mount Vesuvius. From the courtyard of Honor you can also access the Royal Gardens, a park full of statues, avenues and "secret" paths. After the Genovese reastaur, it assumed an aspect of "English garden".
The long one external façade of the Palazzo Reale is characterized by the presence of the celebrate eight majestic statues of the sovereigns who reigned in Naples, whose placement in the outer niches was commissioned by King Umberto I of Savoy in the 1888. The statues are placed in chronological order with the precise intention of not including any exponent of the Bourbon dynasty. You can admire, from left to right, the statues of Roger the Norman, first true king of Naples, Frederick II of Swabia, Charles I of Anjou, Alfonso V of Aragon, Charles V of Hapsburg, Charles III of Spain, Gioacchino Murat and finally Vittorio Emanuele II, the biggest addition to Vittorio Emanuele II who, formally, was never king of Naples but of Italy.
Information on the Royal Palace
Opening time
Historical apartment
- Thirty furnished rooms on the noble floor of the ancient viceregal and Bourbon residence, including the Court Theater, the Throne Room and the Royal Chapel: 09:00 - 20:00 (the ticket office closes at 19:00)
closed wednesday; Christmas, New Year, 1 May, Ferragosto or extraordinary opening.
Courtyards
- Freely accessible from 09: 00 to 19: 00 | in the winter period Up to 17: 00
gardens
- children up to 12 years can only be accessed if accompanied
- allowed entry to the owners of dogs with a pallet, with animals kept on a leash and with a muzzle
- it is forbidden to step on the lawns, play football and damage the sculptures and vegetation of the garden.
- the gardens are temporarily closed due to restoration work
Ticket price
- full: € 4,00 over the age of 24
- reduced: € 3,00 for European citizens aged 18-24 years with document
- free: on the first Sunday of the month | European citizens under the 18 years with document | European citizens with disabilities including accompanying persons check the other conditions for free tickets
Address
Plebiscito Square 1 – 80132 Naples
How to Get There:
By car:
from the motorway, ring road, exit Centro – Porto, take Via Marina to Piazza Municipio. Walk up to Plebiscito Square (10 minutes).
By plane
from Alibus airport to Piazza Municipio. Walk up to Plebiscito Square (10 minutes).
By train
from the Piazza Garibaldi train station take the Subway 1 Line towards Piscinola, get off at the Municipio stop. Walk up to Plebiscito Square (10 minutes).
Or from Piazza Garibaldi take R2 bus to the San Carlo theater.
By subway
1 Line Town Hall stop.
By bus
from Piazza Garibaldi, take the R2 number to Piazza Municipio.
from Piazza Vittoria take the 1 tram to Piazza Municipio.
In funicular
from Piazza Fuga (Vomero) take the Central Funicular to the last stop in Piazzetta Duca d'Aosta.
Contact us
Phone: 081 5808111
Email: pm-cam.palazzoreale-na@beniculturali.it
Official site of the Royal Palace of Naples