Royal Palace in Caserta (Italy): description, address, photo
The large Italian city of Caserta is located inregion of Campania. It is an important business, industrial and commercial center of the country. Popular among tourists from all over the world thanks to the magnificent construction - the royal palace in Caserta. Naples - one of the most popular tourist centers of the country - is located just forty kilometers north of the city.
Every year thousands of tourists from all over the world come,to see one of the most beautiful palace and park complexes in Europe: the royal palace in the Caserta of the Bourbon dynasty, which ruled the Kingdom of Naples in the XVIII-XIX centuries, in 1997 was included in the UNESCO World Heritage Fund.
A bit of history
On the spot where today is located Caserta,there was a settlement even before the arrival of the Romans. As a result of the war for Polish domination, Caserta fell under the rule of the Naples Bourbons (one of the branches of the dynasty). This period in the history of the city researchers consider the peak of prosperity.
Charles VII in 1750 decided to build a newa residence near Naples, but far from the sea. The king wished the palace to become the most grandiose of all European. Especially he dreamed of surpassing Versailles (France). For a long time could not choose an architect, but eventually they became Luigi Vanvitelli.
The famous master arrived in Caserta only in 1751year and started work on a project that took more than six months. The first stone was laid in the beginning of 1752, timed to coincide with the birthday of Charles VII. A year later, they began to break the park.
Originally planned to build the Royalpalace in Caserta (Italy) for ten years, but in 1759 Charles VII left the country, and all the construction work went to his successors, who were not too smart. In 1779, Vanavitelli died, and his son Carlo led the construction. Notable inhabitants inhabited the palace already in 1780, but construction continued until 1845.
Royal Palace in Caserta: description
The palace in the plan is a rectangle,inside which there are four courtyards. Cross-passages divided the space into sectors. The median arches in the walls are the passageways from one courtyard to another. The length of the facade is 247 meters, the walls - 185 meters.
Royal Palace in Caserta (photos you cansee below) - this five-story building height of thirty-six meters. The complex has over one thousand two hundred rooms. By the time of the completion of the Royal Palace in Caserta, the fashion for baroque splendor had gradually ceased to exist, and this was the end of imitation of the style of Versailles. For this reason, the new halls were designed in the Empire style.
A park
At the royal palace in Caserta, a hugea park with a cascade of fountains, shady alleys, gardens and terraces. Kazertsky Park occupies a vast area of 120 hectares. The park area stretches a cascade of avenues and fountains down the slope. Particularly beautiful at any time of year are the fountains of Action and Diana, dolphins, Adonis and Venus. There is also a botanical garden, designed by John Grapher and Carlo Vanvitelli.
Main staircase
This ladder, according to experts, isthe heart of the royal palace in Caserta - a great combination of classicism and baroque. The central passage is crowned by two marble lions. Then it splits into two parallel side marches.
On the stairs are three niches with statues that were to be made of marble, but for some reason they remained plaster prototypes.
Codex
From the upper vestibule, tourists usually find themselves onThe upper level of the palace, where you can admire the luxurious ceilings, which painted the most famous Italian artists. Here, on a special pedestal under the second vault, there were orchestra players.
The Palatine Chapel
She is in the mezzanine of the palace. The chapel was opened in 1784. On the main altar is the canvas "Immaculate Conception" painted by Giuseppe Bonito. This is one surviving work from those that were ordered specifically for the chapel.
Alexandra's salon
This hall is entirely dedicated to the legendarythe Macedonian commander. It is located in the center of the building and separates the rooms of the XVIII century from the halls of the XIX century. The salon was painted by the Sicilian Mariano Rossi in 1787. He portrayed the "Wedding of Roxanne and Alexander the Great" in order to glorify the prosperity of the kingdom and the world. Over the fireplace you can see a marble high relief depicting the profile of Alexander, framed by laurel branches.
Hall of Mars
This room belongs to the marshal's apartmentNapoleon Joachim Murat. Unusual neoclassical decor glorifies the valor of the soldiers, allowing the French to conquer the kingdom. This room is dedicated to the god of war Mars. The decoration and decoration of the hall was occupied by Antonio Simone.
Hall of Astrea
It was intended for high-rankingservants and envoys, state secretaries and other privileged persons. He got his name from the mural on the vault, where the "Triumph of Astrea" is depicted. This goddess was a symbol of justice, and it was believed that in the Golden Age she lived among people.
Throne room
This hall was designed especially for a long time and inThe process of work has undergone numerous changes. Long walls adorn 28 pilots of the Corinthian order with the symbols of the Bourbons. The architrave, which encircles the hall, forms portraits of the rulers. In its center is a fresco, made in 1844 by a master from Naples, Gennaro Maldarelli.
In the depths of the hall is a throne made of gilded carved wood, and its arms are shaped like winged lions with sirens, which are the symbols of Naples.
How to get there?
The Royal Palace in Caserta, whose address is: Viale Douhet, 2 / A, Caserta (CE), is located in the city center. You can get here by train or car from Naples on your own or as part of any of the tour groups that are formed in Caserta.
