Palace of Caserta, Royal palace and museum in Caserta, Italy
The Palace of Caserta is a rectangular royal residence 247 metres long, 190 wide and 41 high, with four inner courtyards whose corners are cut at 45 degrees. Its pale ochre facade has a central pediment with a clock above three large entrance arches. Inside, a vaulted hall painted with a figurative scene and framed by gilded pilasters leads past tall windows and mirrors.
Charles VII of Naples commissioned the construction in the 18th century to create a new seat for his kingdom away from the coast. Work continued for decades and was completed only after the death of the original architect.
Families and school groups regularly visit the palace to walk through the ceremonial rooms and learn about royal life. The museum halls display paintings, furniture, and personal belongings of the Bourbon family that visitors can observe up close.
Visiting the interior takes several hours, especially if you want to see the different floors and the art collections. Plan extra time for the gardens, as the pathways are long and can become tiring in warm weather.
At the far end of the park stands a lake with a small wooded island reachable by a narrow footbridge. On this island, replicas of ancient temples and crumbling columns recreate a landscape of ruins.
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