Palazzo Reale, Naples
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One glance at this imposing Royal Palace and it becomes clear that, in its heyday, Naples was one of Europe’s most important cities and home to one of the Mediterranean’s most glittering royal courts. Begun in 1600, by order of the Spanish viceroy, it was designed by Domenico Fontana and completed in just two years. However, additions, including the grand staircase, were made over the years, and it was enlarged and redesigned in the 18th and 19th centuries. The edifice was a royal residence until 1946, when the monarchy was exiled for their ill-considered support of Mussolini’s Fascist regime.
The Farnese Hercules statue, once in the Sala di Ercole, can now be seen in the Museo Archeologico (see Museo Archeologico Nazionale)
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1. Façade
1. FaçadeDominating the vast Piazza del Plebiscito, the palace’s late Renaissance façade of brickwork and grey piperno stone is adorned with giant statues of Naples’ foremost kings.
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2. Teatrino di Corte
Dating from 1768, this private theatre attests to the royal family’s passion for comic opera. In the side niches are figures of Apollo and his Muses.
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3. Staircase
The monumental staircase leads from the central courtyard up to the royal apartments. The original masterpiece dates from 1651; in 1837 it was embellished with marble.
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4. Decor of the Apartments
The subject matter of the frescoes that decorate the 30 royal apartments was chosen to flatter various royals.
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5. Furnishings
Stunning examples of Empire furniture predominate in the palace’s apartments, much of it of French manufacture. Tapestries adorn many of the rooms, as do exceptional examples of 18th-century marble tables elaborately inlaid with semi-precious stones.
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6. Paintings
Of considerable importance is the abundance of paintings of all genres, including works by Giordano, Guercino, Carracci, Preti and Titian. Look, too, for 17th-century Dutch portraits, 19th-century Neapolitan landscape paintings and 18th-century Chinese watercolours.
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7. Sala di Ercole
The Hall of Hercules derives its name from the ancient statue displayed here in the 19th century.
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8. Cappella Palatina
A 16th-century wooden door, painted in faux bronze, leads to the Royal Chapel, where all the court’s religious activities took place. The high altar consists of semiprecious stones set in gilt copper, while the 18th-century nativity scene is a rich study of local life at the time.
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9. Biblioteca Nazionale
The massive National Library has at its core the Farnese collection, with books dating from the 5th century. Also here are 1st-century-BC papyri found at Herculaneum.
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10. Gardens & Stables
To the north of the palace, the gardens, laid out in 1841, afford views of the hill of San Martino in one direction, and of Vesuvius and the bay in the other. The old stables are now used for special exhibitions.
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