Nature and Art in the Royal Park

With its surface area of 330 acres, the Royal Park of Capodimonte is the largest public park in Naples. In 2014 it was voted to be the “most beautiful park in Italy” for its historical, architectural and botanic heritage. Come see it!

The main entrance into the Royal Park is the Porta Grande (Big Gate), built around the second decade of the 19th century. In this painting within the Capodimonte Collection, you can see the Park and Porta Grande as it looked in ca. 1867 when Capodimonte belonged to the Crown of Savoy.

After passing through the Porta Grande, the Royal Palace and Museum comes into view, surrounded by lush tropical trees and a beautiful lawn. Benches line the walkways, so stop and take a look!

The museum's facade is striking from every angle of approach within the Royal Park surrounding it.

Sit on a bench near the lawn...

...or simply enjoy the majesty of the Museum's facade. Either way, you can't miss the Belvedere...

Close to the Porta Grande and the Museum is the Belvedere (Beautiful View). From here you can enjoy this amazing view of the city and the coast. You can recognize Vesuvius to the left, the Peninsula of Sorrento towards the middle, and the Island of Capri to the right. To the far right is the hill of Vomero with the Certosa di San Martino at its peak.

Today as in the Bourbon period, you must pass through the Porta di Mezzo (Middle Gate) to enter into the forest. This gate originally constituted the primary access point into the hunting grounds. Today the beautiful baroque iron gate, built in 1737, still remains.

Inside the Park you can follow the five long avenues designed in 1742 by the architect and scenographer Sanfelice, or you can discover the many lateral pathways and loose yourself in nature.

The Park boasts nearly 400 species of plants, including exotic and ancient trees, such as this Camphor Tree within the Tower Garden. Since 1840, following the Bourbon's wishes, many exotic botanic species from distant countries have been planted in the Anglo-Cino Garden. Visit to discover the trees and aromatic smells!

In the center of the Park is the Fontana di Mezzo (Middle Fountain). It is an old eighteenth-century fishpond. During the Bourbon period it was stocked with a variety of fishes. Around the Fountain are exotic cephalotaxis trees providing shade for the benches. The trees were planted here in the 19th century.

At the end of the longest avenue you will find the Statue of the Giant - the most valuable piece of the statuary in the park. It is composed of ancient fragments of sculpture. The bust and the head with a vase come from Palazzo Farnese in Rome.

Come for a stroll!