The Peschiera Grande in the Royal Park reopens on Epiphany.

CASERTA. On the feast of the Epiphany, the Royal Palace of Caserta returns to the public one of the most evocative places in its Royal Park. Starting tomorrow, the Peschiera Grande, the jewel of the Bosco Vecchio, reopens. It symbolizes a long and complex journey that today represents a tangible sign of rebirth.

The reopening comes after years of complex litigation related to the tender process, which profoundly impacted the timing and methods of the intervention. This process never stopped, and was resolved thanks to shared determination and institutional synergy capable of overcoming the difficulties without interrupting the progress of the work. The contribution of the State Attorney's Office was crucial, supported by the commitment of the incoming company, the project management, and the Institute's determination to proceed responsibly even in the most critical moments.

The restoration of the Peschiera Grande was carried out with Special Development and Cohesion Funds and with the ongoing support of the Ministry of Culture's central services, particularly the General Secretariat, in an ongoing dialogue between the center and the local area that transformed administrative complexity into an example of good public management.

Built starting in 1762 by architect Francesco Collecini based on a design by Luigi Vanvitelli, the Peschiera Grande has now returned to its original identity. Not just a body of water, but a true architectural and landscape itinerary, redesigned according to Vanvitelli's vision, restoring the geometry, rest areas, and quality of experience conceived in the eighteenth century. The area, marked by severe structural and plant degradation, has undergone a comprehensive restoration that has brought together water, architecture, and greenery as part of a single design.

This is a highly symbolic restitution, a gift to the Royal Park and its visitors. The official inauguration is scheduled for March 21, 2026, marking the beginning of spring and a new beginning.

"Today, the Peschiera Grande is much more than a restored site," says Tiziana Maffei, director of the Royal Palace of Caserta. "It is a visible sign of how one can overcome difficulties without losing one's direction. In these seven years, many of the projects begun are now nearing completion, and the profound meaning of this time has been to consolidate and lay a solid foundation for the future of the Royal Palace and its Park." Maffei emphasizes the collective value of the journey accomplished. "The Peschiera Grande tells a story of shared public responsibility. It demonstrates that even long and complex disputes can be addressed with rigor and vision, without halting the construction of beauty." She concludes: "Restoring it to public use on the day of the Epiphany means recognizing this place as a gift, for those who believe that protecting heritage depends on the ability to combine expertise, perseverance, and a future."