The eight statues on the facade represent the successive dynasties of Naples: Roger the Norman, Frederick II, Charles I of Anjou, Alfonso V of Aragon, Charles V, Charles III of Spain, Joachim Murat, and Victor Emmanuel II.
The palace's grand staircase is constructed from multicolored Italian marble and features an ornate vaulted ceiling.
It was one of the four residences near Naples used by the House of Bourbon during the 18th century.
The court theater inside the palace was inaugurated in 1768 for the wedding of Ferdinand IV and Maria Carolina of Austria.
The interior holds an extensive collection of Gobelins tapestries and neoclassical furniture commissioned by the royal family.
The National Library located within the wings holds papyri excavated from the Villa of the Papyri in Herculaneum.
The Royal Palace of Naples served as the primary residence for the Bourbon kings during their rule of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies. Designed by Domenico Fontana in 1600, the building forms the focal point of the Piazza del Plebiscito. The palace complex contains the historic Royal Apartments, which feature authentic 18th and 19th-century furnishings, tapestries, and porcelain collections. Visitors can tour the Court Theater, the Palatine Chapel, and the grand staircase made of marble. The site also incorporates the National Library of Naples, which houses rare manuscripts and historical documents. The palace facade displays eight statues representing the monarchs of Naples. The garden area, known as the 'Giardini Pensili', offers views overlooking the Bay of Naples and Mount Vesuvius.
The landing of the grand marble staircase looking upward toward the ornate ceiling.
Check the official website for current exhibitions that may require a separate booking.
Visit the hanging gardens on the rear side for quieter views of the bay.
The library entrance is often separate from the museum entrance; clarify your destination at the gate.
Do not mistake the building's exterior for the full scope of the museum; many visitors miss the gardens and the library wings.
Closed on Wednesdays.
Maintain a quiet volume inside the apartments and do not touch the historic furniture or textiles.
