Naples, the Garden of Princes in Capodimonte reopens to the public

Naples – After a year of works financed by the Pnrr, the Garden of the Princes, the botanical heart of the Royal Wood of Capodimonte, reopens to the public.

A 25 million euro restoration that gives the city back two hectares of XNUMXth-century landscape, including groves, winding avenues and breathtaking views of Vesuvius.

A regenerated “living monument”

Designed in 1840 by Friedrich Dehnhardt, head gardener of the Royal Botanical Garden, the Garden of the Princes is a masterpiece of biodiversity, custodian of 70% of the exotic species of the park. Today, thanks to the recovery of architectural and plant components, it returns to its ancient splendor.

"A special day for Naples," declared the Minister of Culture Alessandro Giuli, underlining the importance of the Pnrr funds for the regeneration of Italy's historic parks.

Record numbers: 10 thousand new plants

The project involved the planting of 62 trees, 2.450 shrubs and 2.465 herbaceous plants in the Garden of the Princes alone, part of a larger project that includes 10.047 trees and 43.243 herbaceous plants throughout the Forest. Among the botanical rarities, a majestic Camphor, a Taxodium mucronatum and a Eucalyptus camaldulensis stand out, alongside magnolias, Lebanese cedars and melaleucas.

The restoration combines innovation and history: the avenues were made with a highly permeable conglomerate, similar to the ancient beaten tuff, to facilitate water absorption. Also restored were 319 drainage ditches of the Bourbon hydraulic system, already successfully tested during extreme weather events.

A dedicated lookout and an active community

The Belvedere dei Principi, a new panoramic point on the park, was inaugurated today. To involve citizens in the care of the Woods, the “Comunità Ecologica Capodimonte” was born, a green agora to discuss sustainability and enhancement of the heritage.

"This intervention is not just conservation, but a bet on the future," explained Eike Schmidt, director of the Museum and Royal Forest. "We aim to ensure the regeneration of the landscape for the next 100 years."

Access to the Real Bosco remains free, with 19th-century paths finally restored. An opportunity to immerse yourself in an "open-air museum", where history, nature and innovation meet.