IThe Royal Palace of Naples has opened its doors to the new rooms dedicated to the bookshop, located at the end of the visit route. Occupying over 280 square meters, with an additional room on the upper floor, the spaces will offer not only the sale of books, catalogs and merchandising items, but also literary and educational events.
Recent architectural restoration work has brought to light valuable archaeological excavations, including a well and ancient walkways dating back to the 5000th and 17th centuries. About XNUMX fragments that emerged from these excavations have been restored, and XNUMX of them are now on display for visitors in a small exhibition.
The Archaeological Excavations
The year 1999 had already witnessed previous discoveries during restoration work in the Palace. Structures of a park connected to the Maschio Angioino, damaged during the conflicts between the Angevins and the Aragonese, were found. The reorganization of the area under the direction of the Spanish viceroy Don Pedro da Toledo in the 5000th century led to the introduction of a herringbone pavement and a deep cistern. Recent excavations have revealed over XNUMX fragments, providing precious details of viceregal life in Naples.
New Permanent Exhibition
The new permanent exhibition, entitled “The Viceroys’ Ceramics. Findings from the Well of Palazzo Vecchio,” is now open to the public. Curated by architect Stefano Gei and enriched by texts by archaeologist Milena Morreale, the exhibition takes place in a small 17th-century setting. Among the XNUMX exhibits on display are bowls, jugs, and plates that reflect the cultural and food practices of the time. Particularly noteworthy is a small bowl in white porcelain and cobalt blue enamel from the Ming Period. The installation aims to connect the Courtyard of Honor of the Palace with the spaces of the bookshop, creating a link with the architectural history of the site.
Article published on 13 December 2024 - 18:11
The Royal Palace in Naples is very interesting, but I noticed that the prices of the books in the bookshop are a bit high. Hopefully there will be discounts for students or groups. The excavations are also fascinating, it would be nice to see more finds.