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The largest palace in the world (sort of)

March 20, 2020 | Michael Turtle | 6 Comments

WORLD HERITAGE SITE

Visiting Caserta Palace

This incredible 18th century palace is one of the finest in Europe. It may not be the most famous but Caserta is actually one of the biggest royal palaces in the world!

What is the largest palace in the world?

You might think it should be an easy question – but it’s actually quite complicated. It depends on how you define it.

If you’re talking about the main building plus the ground, then the Palace of Versailles in France takes the title. But if you think the ground need to be enclosed within a wall, then it’s the Summer palace near Beijing in China that takes top spot.

Some people judge it by floor space. In that case, the Palace of the Parliament in Bucharest in Romania is the largest. If you restrict the floor space definition to ‘royal’ sites, then it’s the Royal Palace of Madrid in Spain.

Caserta Palace near Naples, Italy

So where does Caserta Palace near Naples in Italy fit into all of this?

It often claims to be the largest palace in the world – but by what definition?

Well, it turns out Caserta Palace is the largest in the world by volume. In other words, taking into account not just the floor space but the height as well.

The history of Caserta Palace

Arriving at Caserta Palace, the volume of the building is not immediately obvious. The facade is large – and prominent because of all the empty space in front of it – but it doesn’t give away the true size hidden behind.

Caserta Palace near Naples, Italy

It’s only when you go through the front gates that the scale is revealed. The palace is built like a grid with four outer wings and then two internal wings that cross in the middle, forming four enormous courtyards.

The size is no coincidence. Caserta Palace was built by the Bourbon Kings of Naples in the 18th century. At this point in history, the House of Bourbon – which ruled many of the great European powers over the centuries – had the wealth (and the ego) to build something this grand.

Caserta Palace near Naples, Italy

In 1752, construction began on Caserta Palace or King Charles VII of Naples. He had expressly asked for something that was modelled in the Palace of Versailles in France – only bigger!

Visiting the Royal Apartments at Castera Palace

Although the Palace of Versailles was used as inspiration, the general architecture is quite different and, if you looked at it from the outside, you wouldn’t see too much resemblance.

The similarities come in two main ways – the first of them being an interior designed to overwhelm.

To get into the Royal Apartments to see the inside of Caserta Palace, you first have to walk up an enormous flight of steps called the Grand Staircase of Honour. The amount of marble is astonishing, and it has large statues and a painted dome.

Caserta Palace near Naples, Italy

Although the staircase is considered to be one of the highlights of Caserta Palace, it is just an appetiser for the rest of the tour. As you go through, room by room, the opulence is disorienting.

Caserta Palace near Naples, Italy
Caserta Palace near Naples, Italy

There are the enormous antechambers with chandeliers and painted ceilings. You’ll then come through to the Throne Room, long and high, covered in gold, with the throne at the far end.

Caserta Palace near Naples, Italy

As you go through bedrooms and other private spaces, the rooms become smaller but no less ornately-decorated – there are gaudy light fittings, paintings, sculptures, stucco and frescoes.

Caserta Palace near Naples, Italy
Caserta Palace near Naples, Italy

It can take a while to walk through and see the Royal Apartments at Caserta Palace – although not quite as long as I expected. You see, the building has five floors and 1200 rooms! However, the section that is open to the public is only a fraction of that – about one quarter of one floor.

The Park at Caserta Palace

To see Caserta Palace properly, you also need to see the park – and it could easily take longer to explore than the main building. If you thought the palace was large, the park will really impress you with its size.

Caserta Palace near Naples, Italy

From the rear of the palace building, the park stretches out into the distance, a long line towards and then up a hill. From the palace to the end of the park is almost three kilometres long!

Caserta Palace near Naples, Italy

The first part of Caserta Park consists of large lawns with a thin forest on the edges. Statues are spaced around the edge, half-hidden in the foliage, looking inwards. If you were to venture along one of the paths into the forest, you’ll find a pond or small buildings.

Caserta Palace near Naples, Italy

The main element of the park follows the straight line that stretches outwards – a seemingly-limitless water feature. Water flows slowly down the long thin pools until it hits fountains or falls and cascades over into the next.

Caserta Palace near Naples, Italy

To explore it, you can walk (or jog) or hire a bicycle. There is also a bus that will take you to the far end (and back), if you prefer.

Is Castera like Versailles?

The park is the other way that Caserta is like Versailles. Because what the Bourbon Kings created here is more than just a royal palace. It’s effectively a new city.

The reason this site was chosen, 30 kilometres inland from Naples was intentional. It was designed to be away from the coast so it could not be attacked from the sea. And it was also to make it peaceful and efficient away from the political strife and chaos of Naples.

Caserta Palace near Naples, Italy

Around the palace a city was developed to accommodate the palace’s workers and all the bureaucracy of the government. Other industries were also moved here to give this new city its own economy, to help make it sustainable for the families that would call it home.

And so, much like Versailles, there was a new centre of power in the kingdom with its own army and commercial prospects, easier to defend and easier to rule from. It added yet another layer of grandeur to the palace.

Visiting Caserta Palace

One of the things that surprises me as I explore Caserta is why it is not more famous.

Sure, lots of tourists visit and it can get crowded in busy periods – but you won’t find anything like the queues at the Palace of Versailles. I also get the feeling that an average person may never have even heard of it… and the same can’t be said for its French counterpart.

Caserta Palace near Naples, Italy

If you’re planning to visit Caserta Palace, it’s an easy day trip from Naples with a direct train that stops right in front of the main entrance. I would suggest going a little later in the day to avoid the tour groups that tend to come first thing in the morning.

If you would like to skip the line and/or have a guide to tell you all about the palace’s fascinating history, I’ve got a few options for you here:

However you go, give yourself at least a few hours to wander through the Royal Apartments at your own leisure and then explore the park. The largest palace in the world (by volume, remember) deserves at least that!

Where is Caserta Palace?

Caserta Palace is about 30 kilometres north of the centre of Naples. The official address is Viale Douhet, 2/a, 81100 Caserta. You can see it on a map here.

How do you get to Caserta Palace?

The easiest way to get to Caserta Palace by public transport is on the train. There is a direct train from Napoli Centrale that takes about 45 minutes and costs €3.40. You can check the timetable here.

When is Caserta Palace open?

Caserta Palace is open from Wednesday – Monday but is closed on Tuesday.

The Royal Apartments are open from 08:30 – 19:30 with last admission at 19:00.

The park opens at 08:30 all year but closes at different times (with the last admission an hour before closing time).
In January, it closes at 16:00.
In February, it closes at 16:30.
In March, it closes at 17:00.
From April – September, it closes at 19:00.
In October, it closes at 17:30.
In November and December, it closes at 15:30.

How much does it cost to visit Caserta Palace?

Admission to the Royal Apartments and Caserta Park costs €12 for a regular ticket and €6 for a concession.

You can also get admission for just the park, which is €8 for a regular ticket and €4 for concession.

>> See the palace's official website <<

THE BEST ACCOMMODATION IN NAPLES

It makes sense to stay in Naples and do a day trip to Caserta. It means you’ve got a good base to explore the whole region.

BACKPACKER

If you’re looking for a budget option, I would suggest the really fun Hostel of the Sun.

BUDGET

There are a few good cheap hotels – I would suggest Hotel Europeo Napoli in the historic centre.

BOUTIQUE

For something with a bit more style, I would recommend the modern Palazzo d’Auria ApartHotel.

LUXURY

And when it comes to luxury, have a look at the incredible Palazzao Alabardieri.

This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. For more info click here. You can see all the UNESCO World Heritage Sites I’ve visited here.

WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT NAPLES?

See my Naples City Guide

To help you plan your trip to Naples:

  • What you need to know before you go
  • How to spend a day seeing the Historic Centre
  • The best day trips from Naples
  • A self-guided tour through the amazing Pompeii site
  • The best way to hike up Mount Vesuvius
  • Visiting the largest royal palace in the world
  • How to do the Amalfi Coast as a day trip
  • Joining the glitterati on the island of Capri
  • The best Greek temples in the world… are in Italy?!

Let someone else do the work for you:

You may also want to consider taking a Italy tour that includes Naples, rather than organising everything on your own. It’s also a nice way to have company if you are travelling solo.

I am a ‘Wanderer’ with G Adventures and they have great tours in Italy.

You could consider:

  • Local Living on the Amalfi Coast (8 days)
  • Naples Pizza Adventure (5 days)
  • Iconic Italy – National Geographic Journey (14 days)

When I travel internationally, I always get insurance. It’s not worth the risk, in case there’s a medical emergency or another serious incident. I recommend you should use World Nomads for your trip.

Reader Interactions

    Comments Cancel reply

  1. Ryan Biddulph |

    April 25, 2018 at 10:22 am

    Reply

    Finding and measuring those qualifications seems tiring Michael LOL. I do dig the different aspects of the biggest palaces on earth though. Quite inspired stuff. Seeing the scale of these places amazes me. To think when some of these buildings were designed and created….mind-boggling.

    Ryan

  2. Maya |

    May 4, 2018 at 10:04 am

    Reply

    OMG those places are beyond gorgeous!

  3. Same Day Agra Tour By Train |

    May 7, 2018 at 11:55 am

    Reply

    Wow, this is awesome! The pictures are just incredible and I would love to visit. Plan to go to Naples in the next year so this is super helpful post!

  4. Same day Agra tour by train |

    May 22, 2018 at 12:17 pm

    Reply

    Such a great adventures you shared! Beautiful photographs! Stunning post! You shared awesome experience. Thank you!
    Keep posting..

  5. Catherine McDaniel |

    July 17, 2018 at 6:42 am

    Reply

    Thank you! This is the most comprehensive review with the absolute best links for visiting this site! I’ve been gathering info to plan my visit, but with your help I have it scheduled and booked for September…can’t wait!

  6. Delhi ka Taj Mahal |

    November 9, 2019 at 1:20 am

    Reply

    Oho God, these places are so beautiful, once in a lifetime everyone have to see these places.

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This is the website of travel writer, Michael Turtle. After working in broadcast journalism for a decade in Australia, Michael left Sydney to travel the world indefinitely and write about the places, people and experiences he discovers. This isn't a diary - these are real stories from the world.

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