Campania is an Italian region with a thousand years of history. This area has been inhabited since ancient times, and over the centuries many different civilizations have followed. This is also visible in the most important centres of this region, which often present side by side testimonies from different eras.
A good example are the Bourbon kingdoms, which still today proudly show the traces of the domination of this dynasty.
Moving in Campania means not only filling your eyes with these architectural works, but also giving the right importance to the pleasures of taste, exploring genuine and authentic flavors. The culinary tradition of Campania is famous and appreciated all over the world.
Start in Naples, the beating heart of this region
If you are planning a route that crosses much of Campania, with the aim of visiting the Bourbon reggia, the best choice you can make is to start from Naples. This city is known to be full of vitality like few others, while history and art merge and mix in every point, from the great squares to the narrow alleys that connect every part of Naples. To this is added of course the culinary tradition: every day people come to town eager to taste the best that the Campanian and Neapolitan cuisine can offer. Obviously among the most popular recipes there is the one, unique and inimitable pizza margherita, but we must not forget the cuoppo, a paper cone filled with mixed fried flavors.
As for the Bourbon kingdoms here you can visit the Royal Palace, one of the buildings that best represents the Bourbon monarchy. It is located in Piazza del Plebiscito. It offers a unique view of the Gulf of Naples. If you want to know more about the Naples of the Bourbons, you could also include the Teatro di San Carlo in your visit.
Visit the remains of Herculaneum
Herculaneum is a place that not many people can associate with the monarchy of the Bourbons. In fact, a short distance from Ercolano there is Villa Campolieto. This villa was built in the middle of the Bourbon era, along a street that takes the name of Golden Mile. On this road many noble families built their homes during the 18th century. Villa Campolieto is very beautiful and evocative, and the credit goes to its gardens and frescoes made inside.
Visiting Herculaneum you can instead immerse yourself in the archeology. Herculaneum was a living city already in Roman times, but together with Pompeii it was destroyed by the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 A.D. and remained hidden for many centuries under ash and lapilli. Over time it was literally found, and today you can admire the remains of the ancient city.
San Leucio and the first industrialization of Campania
During your itinerary to discover the Bourbon period a must-see is San Leucio. This locality is located in the hinterland, and has played an important role in the history of Campania. Here the Bourbons tried to realize an initial idea of industrialization, transforming the Belvedere residence into a production complex. The plant was to be used for silk processing.
The production complex was only part of the experiment of Charles de Bourbon, who put himself into the project. The plant was the centre of what should have been a sort of autonomous community, where there was an unusual interest, at least for the time, in the living conditions of workers.
Today the old residence, now a UNESCO Heritage Site, can be visited to admire everything that has remained inside, starting from the original frames.
The splendor of the Bourbon dynasty: the Reggia di Caserta
Your journey to discover the Bourbon kingdoms can only end with the real great legacy that this dynasty has been able to give to the world: the wonderful Palace of Caserta, among the most famous architectural works in the world. The palace consists of more than 1200 different rooms, and is surrounded by large gardens, embellished with many and different artistic elements, among which stand out numerous fountains. There are also some water games designed to entertain guests.
Walking through the Palace of Caserta you can still breathe the ancient atmosphere of its rooms, where magnificence and splendor reign supreme.
Pleasures for the eyes and palate
Illustrating this ideal itinerary for the Bourbon kingdoms we talked mainly about the pleasure that can be drawn from art, history and nature, but you certainly can not put in the background the importance of enjoying the flavors of this region.
Certainly pizza can not be missed, but there is also much more that can conquer even the most difficult palates. In Ercolano, for example, you could try different dishes based on fresh fish, prepared according to traditional recipes. And in every location you will surely find a good assortment of mozzarella and dairy products.
Finally leave some space for sweets, such as babà and sfogliatelle.
Copertina: Unsplash
