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Dominating 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.

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.

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.

The subject matter of the frescoes that decorate the 30 royal apartments was chosen to flatter various royals.

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.

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.

The Hall of Hercules derives its name from the ancient statue displayed here in the 19th century.

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.

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.

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.