Royal Palace of Portici

18th century image of the palace.

The Royal Palace of Portici (Reggia di Portici or Palazzo Reale di Portici) is a former royal palace in Portici, Southeast of Naples along the coast, in the region of Campania, Italy. Today it is the home of the Orto Botanico di Portici, a Botanic Gardens are operated by the University of Naples Federico II. These gardens were once part of the muckle ryal estate that included an English garden, a zoo and formal parterres. It is located just a few metres from the Roman ruins of Herculaneum an is home to the Accademia Ercolanese, the deposit for all found objects of archaeological site. This is in effect the Museum of Herculaneum, opened in 1758 by King Carlo.

Background

In July 1735 at the aged 18, Infante Charles of Spain was crowned the King of Naples and Sicily. He had taken control of the two kingdoms by military force opposing the powerful Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor. In 1738, Charles an his consort Princess Maria Amalia of Saxony were favourably impressed with the area of Portici when they visited the villa of Emmanuel Maurice, the Duke of Elbeuf. The couple commissioned this palace in Portici to serve not only as a private residence, but as a place to receive foreign officials travelling to the Kingdom.

Work began at the end of 1738 under the direction of Antonio Canevari. Canevari had helped the royal couple in construction of the Neapolitan Pailace of Capodimonte. The interiors of the Palace of Portici were frescoed by Giuseppe Bonito, while the gardens were decorated with marble sculptures bi Joseph Canart.

Upon King Charles' accession to the Spanish throne in 1759, he left his Neapolitan and Sicilian domains to his third son, Prince Ferdinand who would rule till his death in 1825. During the reign of Ferdinand, the Palace was overshadowed by the far grander Caserta Palace which became the official home of the court from 1759. Portici was the private home of Prince Filippo of Naples and Sicily, "Duke of Calabria", the eldest son of Charles III of Spain. Prince Filippo was mentally disabled an lived in the palace till his death there on 19 September 1777.

Royal children born at Portici

1. Princess Maria Isabel (1740-1742)
2. Princess Josefa (1742)
3. Princess Maria Luisa of Naples and Sicily (1745-1792)
4. Prince Filippo (1747-1777)
5. Prince Carlo (1748-1819)
6. Prince Gabriele (1752–1788)
7. Princess Maria Ana (1754-1755)
8. Princess Luisa Carlotta (1804-1844)