New spaces of the Royal Palace were inaugurated today in Naples: the Belvedere, the Museo della Fabbrica, with the new ticket office and reception area in the Cortile d'Onore, and the temporary exhibition that tells the story of the four centuries of history of the palace, in the Galleria del Genovese on the piano nobile. The Minister of Culture Gennaro Sangiuliano and the General Director of Museums Massimo Osanna were present, welcomed by the Director of the Royal Palace, Mario Epifani.
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The Factory Museum
The Museo della Fabbrica del Palazzo Reale di Napoli is a permanent exhibition that represents an introductory path to the visit not only of the Appartamento di Etichetta, but of the entire monumental complex. Located on the ground floor, with access from the Cortile d'Onore, the museum narrates the history of the palace through works and audiovisual installations, including 3D representations. In the central part, the nineteenth-century models of the architects Antonio Niccolini and Gaetano Genovese are exhibited.
A Recovery and Innovation Project
Conceived by director Mario Epifani, the Museo della Fabbrica is part of a larger project to reclaim the spaces on the ground floor, curated by architect Almerinda Padricelli. This project aims to relocate existing functions and insert new ones, giving the Cortile d'Onore the role of connecting the Palace and the city. The new main entrance in Piazza del Plebiscito includes a ticket office and cloakroom, creating a new foyer for visitors, who will be able to access the museum from July 16.
The Exhibition “Four Centuries of History”
Until September 3, in the Galleria del Genovese on the piano nobile, you can visit the exhibition “Four centuries of history: the factory of Palazzo Reale”, curated by Mario Epifani with the support of the architect Stefano Gei. The exhibition presents works that tell the story of the palace through the centuries. These works come from various Neapolitan state museum institutions, such as the Museo di San Martino and the Museo di Capodimonte, as well as international loans, including two paintings by Antonio Joli from the collection of Lord Montagu of Beaulieu in England.
The Restoration of the Belvedere
During the inauguration, the restoration of the Belvedere, located on the roof of the Royal Palace and overlooking the Molosiglio, was presented. This exclusive space offers a unique view of the Gulf of Naples. The restoration, which lasted a year and six months, was directed by the architect Almerinda Padricelli and carried out by the Modugno company. From September, visitors will be able to visit the Belvedere tower, which has never been open to the public until now.
Projections and Statements
In the Court Theatre, videos documenting the restoration and preparation work of the new spaces were shown. “Rereading the history of the Royal Palace is a journey into the depths of the history of Naples,” said Minister Gennaro Sangiuliano. The Director General of Museums, Massimo Osanna, underlined the success of the policies for the enhancement of the Royal Palace, aimed at an increasingly inclusive cultural offering. Director Mario Epifani added that the goal is to reconstruct the historical identity of the Palace, transforming it into a cultural hub for the city.
Exhibition Catalogue
The exhibition is accompanied by a catalogue published as a monographic issue of the “Quaderni di Palazzo Reale” Editori Paparo, edited by Mario Epifani and with the editorial coordination of Alessandra Cosmi. The catalogue includes contributions by various scholars, focusing on the architectural events of the palace, with introductions by the Minister of Culture, Gennaro Sangiuliano, and the Director General of Museums, Massimo Osanna.
Article published on 16 July 2024 - 12:42
