The Royal Palace of Caserta is one of the greatest architectural masterpieces of the 18th century. This majestic palace, designed by architect Luigi Vanvitelli, was inaugurated in 1773 and took many years to complete.
The 250th Anniversary of Luigi Vanvitelli
This year marks the 250th anniversary of the death of the great architect who designed and built the largest and most magnificent royal palace in Europe. The Royal Palace of Caserta, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997, is one of Italy’s most important tourist attractions.
Today, the palace is a popular tourist destination that attracts visitors from around the world. It is open to the public and offers a wide range of activities and programs, including guided tours, cultural events, and art exhibitions.
The 250th anniversary of Vanvitelli’s death is a special occasion to celebrate this significant Italian cultural heritage and to recognize the genius of the architect who influenced the development of European architecture.
The Royal Palace of Caserta stands as a testament to the greatness of Italian art and culture, and to human creativity capable of producing works that withstand the test of time.
The Royal Palace of Caserta: Baroque and Neoclassical Architecture
The construction of the Royal Palace of Caserta was commissioned by King Charles III of Bourbon, who wanted to create a palace that could rival the grandeur of Versailles.
Vanvitelli, one of the most prominent architects of his time, was chosen for the project and spent over 20 years completing the palace.
The Royal Palace is an outstanding example of Neapolitan Baroque and Neoclassical architecture. It covers an area of over 47,000 square meters, with more than 1,200 rooms, 34 staircases, and a vast Italian-style garden.
One of the highlights of the palace is the grand staircase leading to the Throne Room, inspired by the Scala Regia of Versailles.
The palace’s sheer size and opulent style make it one of the most majestic royal residences in Europe.
Visitors can explore numerous rooms and halls, such as the Hall of Alexander, the Hall of the Farnese Glories, and the Throne Room.
The palace is surrounded by a huge 120-hectare park, which includes Italian-style gardens, woodlands, waterfalls, and fountains. But this monument is more than just an architectural masterpiece—it has also been a center of important political, cultural, and social events over the centuries.
The Royal Palace has hosted many prominent figures, including kings, queens, presidents, and international celebrities.
Despite its immense historical and cultural value, the palace has faced many challenges over the years, such as neglect and the deterioration of its interiors. However, through extensive restoration efforts, it has been returned to its former glory.
Today, it is one of Southern Italy’s most visited and admired landmarks, a perfect destination for lovers of history, architecture, and beauty.
Luigi Vanvitelli’s Legacy Across Italy
Luigi Vanvitelli should not be remembered solely for the Royal Palace of Caserta. He also designed many other grand and brilliant structures. Noble palaces, public buildings, and churches all reflect the artistic vision of the great Neapolitan architect, who also designed the Carolino Aqueduct, considered one of the most ingenious and daring engineering works of the 18th century.
Vanvitelli also served Pope Clement XII, expanding the port of Ancona, building the Lazzaretto Palace there, and working throughout the Marche region, moving between Loreto, Macerata, and Pesaro.
In 2019, Vanvitelli’s magnificent work was already celebrated with a series of special events and initiatives. Key activities for the palace’s anniversary included art exhibitions, concerts, theatrical performances, lectures, thematic guided tours, and other cultural events.
A highlight of the 2019 celebrations was the inauguration of a major exhibition titled “Living the Palace”, set up in the Grand Halls of the palace. The exhibition featured a selection of objects and documents that told the story and daily life of the Royal Palace from the 18th century to the present day. There were also nighttime guided tours, fireworks shows, and open-air concerts in the palace park, along with a series of talks and debates on art, architecture, and the history of the palace.
That celebration was a special opportunity to honor the beauty and grandeur of this marvelous palace and to deepen public understanding of its history and cultural significance.
Commemorating Luigi Vanvitelli: 250 Years Later
On March 1, celebrations began for the 250th anniversary of Luigi Vanvitelli’s death, with a day full of events and ceremonies. The first event took place in the Parish of San Francesco de Paola, attended by the parish priest Don Biagio Saiano, with a solemn commemoration and the extraordinary opening of the crypt where Vanvitelli chose to be buried out of devotion.
The day continued with a symphonic prelude by Pompeo Ferraro, an introduction by the parish priest, and greetings from the mayors of Caserta and Casagiove (Carlo Marino and Giuseppe Vozza), the director of the Royal Palace, Tiziana Maffei, the Rector of the Vanvitelli University, Gianfranco Nicoletti, and the presidents of the Engineers’ and Architects’ Orders.
There was a reading of Vanvitelli’s letters by Giuseppe De Nitto, Nando Astarita, and Massimo Santoro, followed by another musical performance and the laying of a wreath at Vanvitelli’s tomb.
The morning concluded with a memorial mass for the architect, presided over by Bishop Pietro Lagnese.
In the afternoon, the Royal Palace extended its opening hours until 10:00 PM to host more tributes to Vanvitelli, starting at 4:30 PM with the opening of the Vanvitelli Rooms to the public. These museum spaces, located on the first floor and accessed from the Guard Room, offered a reinterpretation of historical sources, art literature, and contemporary scholarship related to the architect.
As part of the anniversary, the Italian State Mint will issue gold and silver commemorative coins dedicated to Vanvitelli, and a special volume will be published in honor of the Royal Palace of Caserta as part of Treccani’s “Palaces of Italy” collection.
Celebrations will continue throughout the year across Italy, including temporary exhibitions, special installations, public talks, and events held at cultural sites to honor the great Campanian architect.
