The Villa Comunale of Naples is one of the city’s symbolic places and a beautiful historical garden of about 1 kilometre, that boasts many pine trees, palms, eucalyptus and holm oaks. Commissioned by King Ferdinand IV of Bourbon in 1780, its architecture, carefully designed by Carlo Vanvitelli, is inspired by the ‘Tuilieres’ of Paris with its promenades enriched by small temples, fountains, neoclassical statues and a cast-iron and glass sound box.
In 1807, Giuseppe Bonaparte entrusted new extension work to the architects Stefano Gasse and Paolo Ambrosino, while the Botanical Garden inspector, Friedrich Dehnhardt, was asked to advise on the choice of tree species. Thanks to the creation of a ‘grove’, the Villa took on the appearance of a real city park, decorated with flower beds and small paths. Finally, in 1869 it took on the name of comunale or municipale and was extended towards the sea at Via Caracciolo.
A final restoration took place between 1997 and 1999 by Alessandro Mendini. The chalets were designed and the green spaces rearranged, the gate and a new lighting system created. Other buildings are also located in this area, such as the Press Club and the important Zoo Station Anton Dohr where Europe’s oldest aquarium is housed. The Villa is open daily all year round and admission is free.
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