The Bourbon King Charles III was again the mastermind behind this impressive architectural centrepiece for the region, and the court architect Luigi Vanvitelli threw himself into planning its constructions in 1752. Charles wanted a royal palace and seat of government away from congested Naples. The palace has been likened to Versailles and the main façade of the yellow stucco and travertine building is almost 250 m. long. The utterly symmetrical Neo-Classical plan has for identical inner courtyards. The gardens stretch for three kilometres north beyond the back façade of the palace. Sculptures, fountains and cascades, along with an English garden and man-made lake with an island are all part of the impressive landscape.
The Bourbon King Charles III was again the mastermind behind this impressive architectural centrepiece for the region, and the court architect Luigi Vanvitelli threw himself into planning its constructions in 1752. Charles wanted a royal palace and seat of government away from congested Naples. The palace has been likened to Versailles and the main façade of the yellow stucco and travertine building is almost 250 m. long. The utterly symmetrical Neo-Classical plan has for identical inner courtyards. The gardens stretch for three kilometres north beyond the back façade of the palace. Sculptures, fountains and cascades, along with an English garden and man-made lake with an island are all part of the impressive landscape. 