A Palace to rival Versailles

Saturday 31^st May

We left Rome this morning headed to a place called Caserta which is not far from Naples. We decided to use the autostrade to get there as we wanted to get away from Rome traffic as quickly as possible. The autostrade are at least good roads so you can make good time – I’m not too keen on travelling at 140 or 150 though.

At Caserta we visited the palace, La Reggia di Caserta which was built in the early 1700s and is the last palace of its type built in Europe. It was modelled on Versailles but it was never finished to its original plan. The original owner died before its completion and his son simplified some aspects to finish it. It has not had the upkeep of Versailles – you can see it in the gardens where the lawns need mowing and hedges trimming. The grounds look quite unkempt. It has a long avenue leading away from the palace to a man made waterfall. The weather looked pretty threatening and we could hear thunder and see lightning so we took the bus to the end of the avenue. Rob decided to walk back while I took the bus. A couple of minutes in to his walk the heavens opened and it poured. He had a poncho on so was mostly dry when he got back but his shoes were soaked.

 

Waiting in line for tickets to the Palace.

Looking back to the Palace from the end of the avenue leading to the waterfall and fountains. The Royal Palace of Caserta, is a former royal residence and was constructed for the Bourbon kings of Naples. It was the largest palace and one of the largest buildings erected in Europe during the 18th century.
The palace has been used as a film set - used as the setting for Queen Amidala's Royal Palace on Naboo in the 1999 film Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace and again in the 2002 film Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones as Queen Jamilla's palace.

Another view back to the palace from the long avenue.
This was taken when Rob was walking in the rain.

The Grand Cascade at the end of the avenue.

 The Diana and Actaeon Fountain at the feet of the Grand Cascade
- this photo and the one below.

Inside the palace the rooms that are open to the public are really amazing with beautiful frescoes on the vaulted ceilings in most rooms. It really was quite stunning and the best part was you could see it all without having to fight through crowds of tour groups. I don’t think we saw a single tour group here. There wasn't as much furniture on display in the rooms as at Versailles but it was still fantastic. You just end up shaking your head in wonder as you move from room to room.

The grand staircase - used  in Angels & Demons as the Vatican's staircase.

A pretty fancy baby bassinet.

Setting in the bedroom of one of the royals.

Just a few pictures to give you a taste of the beauty in the palace.

A friendly lion on the grand staircase.

Our accommodation in Caserta was another B&B – again a little tricky to find. On the advice of the manager we ate at the Mexican restaurant next door and it was a great meal. The owner of the restaurant was quite excited to have Australians in his restaurant, only the 2^nd time ever. He asked why we were in Caserta and when we told him it was the palace he told us how the town was broke and until recently were pretty blasé about having the palace. He was really quite passionate about his town and also Naples and said if we were ever coming back to let him know because he would love to show us his Naples and be our tour guide for a couple of days. He and his wife were lovely to talk with (great English) and they made our night quite special.

Our B&B in Caserta.