Royal Palace, Naples (must see)

The Royal Palace of Naples stands along the eastern side of Plebiscite Square as a reminder of the centuries when Naples served as a European capital. Construction began in 1600 under Spanish rule, and the building was designed as the residence of the Spanish viceroys. From the outset, the palace was intended to project authority and stability, facing both the city and the sea. Over time, it was expanded and adapted by successive rulers, including the Bourbons, who made it one of their principal royal residences when Naples became the capital of the Kingdom of Naples and later the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies.

Niches along the palace’s orderly façade hold statues of historical rulers connected to Naples. Inside, the atmosphere shifts toward grand staircases, ceremonial halls, and richly decorated apartments. The Royal Apartments preserve original décor, including gilded ceilings, frescoes, tapestries, and period furniture, offering a glimpse into court life from the 17th to the 19th century.

As soon as you enter the palace, you have a choice. If you turn left, you reach the Court Theatre, an intimate performance space that reflects Naples’ long association with music and opera. If instead you continue straight ahead, you arrive at the square-shaped Courtyard of Honour. Continuing northeast, the Palatine Chapel, built for private worship, comes into view. While the palace’s western wing contains the Royal Apartments and the aforementioned spaces, if you turn right after entering the palace, you come to the National Library of Naples housed in the easten wing. It is one of Italy’s most important libraries, containing rare manuscripts and historic collections.

The Royal Palace offers a quieter counterpoint to Naples’ dense streets. Its broad rooms and ordered layout provide a sense of scale and formality rarely found elsewhere in the city.