Caserta was heavily damaged by bombings during World War II, and the modern city itself isn’t particularly remarkable. However, there are several truly stunning things to see. In addition to the main attractions discussed below, we recommend visiting the 15th-century Sant’Agostino Complex, which includes a convent, church, and cloister. There are also several museums worth seeing, such as the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Museum of Traditions, and the recently inaugurated “Le Muse” museum. Inspired by Madame Tussauds in London, this museum offers an engaging look into local history, presenting its key figures in period costumes and authentic settings. The museum is located in Largo San Sebastiano, just off Via Mazzini, and is open in summer from 9:30 AM to 7:30 PM, and in winter from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
After Visiting the Royal Palace of Caserta
Head to Piazza Carlo III before making your way to the city’s main cathedral, dedicated to Saint Michael the Archangel. Completed in the 19th century, the cathedral stands atop a staircase and features three naves, several remarkable frescoes, and beautiful 16th-century paintings.
Caserta’s Art and Culture: Places to Visit
Although the city has a modern urban layout, you can still enjoy charming squares like Piazza Dante, Piazza del Mercato, and Piazza Vanvitelli, as well as admire high-quality statues. The Museum of Contemporary Art is definitely worth a visit.
The Royal Palace of Caserta
One of the most beautiful royal residences in the world, the Royal Palace (Reggia di Caserta) is a masterpiece of harmonious architecture and decorative arts. If it feels familiar during your visit, it might be because it served as a filming location for Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace!
When King Charles III of Bourbon decided to leave Naples—believing it too vulnerable to sea attacks—he commissioned architect Luigi Vanvitelli to build a palace that could rival the courts of Paris, London, and Madrid. Vanvitelli dedicated the last 20 years of his life to its construction, using the finest materials and craftsmanship available at the time. The palace was completed a year after his death in 1774, though its interior wasn’t finished until 1847. The vast palace spans more than 45,000 square meters and is divided into four wings, each surrounding a separate courtyard.
Guided tours led by art historians last about 90 minutes and are offered on weekends and holidays during the winter, and daily in summer (booking required). On summer weekend nights, the royal rooms are often open to visitors, with tours enhanced by 18th-century music and light effects—these must be booked well in advance.
The carriage tour through the gardens is short but very romantic. Don’t expect it to take you to the top, though—the incline is too steep for the horses. The carriages turn around near the Fountain of Aeolus.
Visiting the palace—and especially the park—involves a lot of walking. A shuttle bus service runs between the palace and the entrance to the English Gardens; tickets and reservations are required at the main ticket office.
There is a café inside the palace, at the end of the main gallery just before the garden exit, open during all visiting hours. In summer, you’ll also find a snack bar at the entrance to the English Gardens.
Casertavecchia
Overlooking modern Caserta, this medieval village is one of the best-preserved in Italy. It’s the original Caserta, abandoned when King Charles III built the Royal Palace in the valley below and employed much of the local population there. Dominated by a now-ruined castle, the village is centered around its cathedral, located in Piazza Vescovado—a fine example of Arab-Norman architecture. Dedicated to Saint Michael, it was built by the Normans in the 12th century using Paleo-Christian elements and materials from a nearby temple to Jupiter. The church is constructed from tuff stone, like the rest of the town, with elegant white marble details: portals, window frames, decorative columns, and zoomorphic sculptures. The dome is topped by a beautiful lantern (tiburio), showing clear Arab influence with alternating yellow and gray tuff geometric patterns and interwoven arches supported by white columns. Inside, admire the mosaic-adorned altar and a 4th-century baptismal font. The façade is completed by a 13th-century bell tower, under which the town’s main road passes; it has an octagonal roof and similar decoration to the cathedral.
Behind the cathedral, on the main street, is the Church of the Annunciation (Chiesetta dell’Annunziata), a Gothic church built in the late 13th century. Its portico was added in the 18th century, but behind it, you can still see the original façade and beautiful marble portal. Farther on is the 11th-century Norman castle. While most of its original six-tower structure is in ruins, the main tower remains. Take time to wander the narrow medieval streets, admiring original paving stones and well-preserved medieval decorative elements on buildings and stone arches. Unsurprisingly, this is a favorite spot for summer evenings, thanks to the food, views, and atmosphere. The best time to visit Casertavecchia is between late August and early September during the “Settembre al Borgo” festival, a captivating event of theater and music that draws performers from all over the world.
San Leucio
Located on a hill northwest of the Royal Palace, San Leucio is where King Ferdinand IV had his hunting reserve and created a self-sufficient colony for a social experiment. To make the colony economically independent, he established silkworm breeding and a weaving factory. Following principles that are radical even by today’s standards, Ferdinand and his liberal minister Bernardo Tanucci gave the colony its own innovative laws and organization. Education was compulsory and free from age 6, and only skilled workers were allowed to marry and have children. There were no gender distinctions, and all workers contributed to a common fund for those unable to work due to age or illness. The factory became famous for its luxurious fabrics, which were exported across Europe. Today, it operates privately under the name Stabilimento Serico De Negri, where expert artisans continue the tradition, producing damasks, brocades, and other fine fabrics.
Opening onto Piazza della Seta, the original colony is quite scenic, with rows of neat houses offering views of the palace and surrounding areas. The small church predates the village and is likely Lombard in origin. A road leading left from beneath the original silk mill staircase ascends to the Hunting Lodge of the Aquaviva princes, former owners of the estate. Nearby is the Vaccheria, the stables where Ferdinand first started the weaving activity before building the village.
