Caserta: royal residence and historical discoveries

Caserta combines the Reggia di Caserta with medieval Casertavecchia, museums and the silk-making history of San Leucio. Anyone planning a trip can choose between monumental culture, historic alleyways and walking paths. When looking for a holiday apartment in Caserta, it helps to decide on your main focus early on: the Reggia represents courtly history and garden design, Casertavecchia offers a well-preserved medieval village setting, while San Leucio and the museums reveal further facets of the city.

A specific natural and landscape feature of Caserta is the Bosco di San Silvestro. It is an area of Community importance recognized by the European Union and has been part of the Natura 2000 network since 1995.

The Reggia di Caserta and the Royal Park

The Reggia di Caserta complex was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1997. Today, the Reggia is one of the largest royal residences in the world. Its grounds are defined by the Parco Reale, created according to designs by Luigi Vanvitelli and his son Carlo. The park’s central axis is formed by the Via d’Acqua. It comprises a series of water features supplied through the Acquedotto Carolino.

The Acquedotto Carolino is a hydraulic engineering work designed by Luigi Vanvitelli. Following a 38-kilometre route, it carries water to the Parco Reale and supplies its fountains. The Via d’Acqua is particularly interesting for trip planning because it runs with a gentle incline from the Fontana Margherita to the Torrione del Monte Briano. Anyone who enjoys structuring the day around a walk and a clearly defined landscape route can plan this path as a separate item on their itinerary. The Giardino Inglese of the Reggia is also considered one of the first examples of its kind on mainland Europe.

Casertavecchia: medieval history between the cathedral and alleyways

Casertavecchia is a completely preserved medieval village. The historic centre includes a 12th-century cathedral, a bell tower, the remains of a castle and a network of characteristic alleyways. The Duomo di San Michele Arcangelo dates from the period between 1153 and 1197. Its Romanesque-Sicilian architecture combines Islamic and Gothic influences. Casertavecchia therefore offers a clear contrast to the Reggia’s imposing complex: the focus here is not on the dimensions of a royal residence, but on historic architectural forms and the structure of a medieval village.

Museums, churches and craft traditions

In Caserta’s historic centre, the Museo Diocesano di Caserta is housed in the Church of SS.mo Redentore. It contains around 200 works dating from the 14th to the 19th century and documents the artistic and religious traditions of the Casertano area. The Chiesa di Sant’Agostino preserves 17th-century paintings as well as works by Giacinto Diano, Domenico Mondo, Bardellino and Antonio Dominici.

The Chiostro di Sant’Agostino complex includes a 16th-century cloister and an adjoining monastery. It is also home to the Museo delle tradizioni, recognized as being of regional interest, and the Museo d’Arte Contemporanea. The Museo Storico-Scientifico e Tecnologico “Michelangelo” complements these cultural sites with objects from natural history, science and technology. Its sections cover mineralogy, the pure sciences and topography; at the same time, the museum traces the history of science and technology from the mid-19th century to the 1990s.

San Leucio and the history of silk

The silk factory at the San Leucio complex was inaugurated in 1778. The Belvedere di San Leucio comprises three areas open to visitors. The tour extends over two floors and passes nine handlooms. These specific stops make San Leucio a worthwhile addition for anyone who wants to learn about production, craftsmanship and technical processes alongside palace history. Accommodation in Caserta can therefore be particularly suitable if you want to combine several cultural themes without limiting your trip to a single attraction.

Getting there and further destinations

For planning your journey, Caserta railway station is a prominent point of reference: it is located directly opposite the Reggia di Caserta. The Reggia Express also operates as a historic train on the Naples–Caserta route. When choosing your holiday apartment, consider which experiences should be the focus of your stay and which form of travel you prefer. You can find other places in this selection under Macerata Campania, Valle Di Maddaloni, Alvignano, Castel Volturno, Lauro, Casanova, Orta Di Atella and Camigliano.

For the higher-level travel overview: Caserta.