REGGIA DI CASERTA

Charles de Bourbon, King of Naples from 1734 to 1759, wanted "his Versailles". Luigi Vanvitelli drew up the plans in the second half of the ^18th century. Covering an area of 47,000^m2, the 190 m-wide palace is built around four courtyards. It also boasts 1,200 rooms, 1,790 windows, 34 staircases and 120 hectares of parkland. The palace's harmonious facade features a skilful alternation of solids and voids, with well-balanced volumes. Take the magnificent marble grand staircase that leads to the grand vestibule and the royal apartments. From the vestibule, enjoy the view of the park's central avenue. Continue on to the Palatine Chapel, a near-replica of the one in Versailles.

The royal apartments. In the Salle des Hallebardiers, 22.50 m long and 14.25 m wide, see the vaulted ceiling and frescoes by Domenico Mondo, depicting the arms of the Bourbons supported by the Virtues. The Salle des Gardes du Corps houses twelve high reliefs illustrating major events in the history of the kingdom. Note, on the vaulted ceiling, decorated with stucco and arabesques, the fresco La Gloire des Princes, depicting the kingdom's twelve provinces. Linger in the sumptuous Salon of Alexander the Great, with its superb frescoes (the Macedonian king's wedding to Roxanne) and splendid marbles. You then move on to the "old" apartments, the first to have been inhabited. The seasons are in the spotlight, with the Spring salon inspired by the great fresco adorning the vaulted ceiling. This is followed by the Summer salon, with its fresco of Ceres and Proserpine. Autumn is not to be outdone, with a vault dedicated to Bacchus and Ariadne. On the walls, several still lifes by the Neapolitan school. The Winter Salon was also the smoking room. The Oriental-style studio was particularly popular with King Ferdinand ^I (1751-1825), son and successor of Charles de Bourbon. See also his bedroom and the Empire-style bed. Then take a look at the Queen's elegantly furnished reception room. The library, spread over three rooms, contains over 12,000 volumes. Nearby, note the famous Neapolitan crib(presepe). Charles de Bourbon created a veritable craze for pastoral art among the Neapolitan aristocracy in the ^18th century. The "new" apartments, completed last, include a beautiful Empire-style Mars Room. Note the oriental alabaster cup in the center, a gift from Pius IX to Ferdinand II (1810-1859). And, of course, the very solemn Throne Room, covered in paintings and gilding. A series of some fifty medallions bearing the effigies of the kings of Naples surrounds the room. A stone's throw away, the king's bedroom contains a beautiful Empire-style bed in ebony and gilded bronze.

The park is also well worth a visit. Ponds, monumental fountains and cascades follow one another in the midst of gardens combining Italian (labyrinth) and French styles. Beautiful Dolphin, Aeolus and Ceres fountains, symbols of the natural elements. See also the Fountain of Venus, a grandiose marble group: the goddess tries to dissuade Adonis from going hunting. Finish your visit with a detour to the great waterfall and the fountain of Diana and Actaeon, a lost hunter who saw Diana bathing naked. The goddess, furious, transformed him into a stag and had him devoured by her dogs..