Belvedere di San Leucio
Bourbon complex of the Real Colonia di San Leucio with the Silk Museum, historic apartment, Reali Giardini and the Casa del Tessitore.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
In 1773 King Ferdinand IV of Bourbon had the woods around the Renaissance residence of the Acquaviva family enclosed as a hunting reserve. There he founded what the site presents as the first free and compulsory school in Italy, and launched silk production, with the cultivation of mulberry trees and the rearing of silkworms.
In 1789 the royal manufactory became a self-governing community, governed by a code of laws inspired by Enlightenment ideals: workers were guaranteed housing, free education, a working day of no more than eleven hours and a dowry for the women who married within the community. The ideal city of Ferdinandopoli, designed by Francesco Collecini, was never completed; after Italian unification the site passed to the state and the community system came to an end. Today the complex, a UNESCO-protected site, is run by the Comune di Caserta.
The museum includes a section of industrial archaeology in the former silk factory, with nine restored hand looms and two large wooden twisting machines driven by a water wheel; the royal apartment with the Bagno Grande of Maria Carolina and its painted rooms; the Reali Giardini on seven terraces; and the Casa del Tessitore, a workers’ house rebuilt with furnishings from the early 20th century.
Highlights
- Working hand looms and twisting machines driven by a water wheel
- Royal apartment with the Bagno Grande of Maria Carolina
- Reali Giardini on seven terraces
- Casa del Tessitore
- UNESCO site together with the Reggia di Caserta
Permanent exhibition
- Museo della Seta – Industrial archaeology of the silk factory, royal apartment, Reali Giardini and Casa del Tessitore.
- Operated by
- Comune di Caserta
- Visitors per year
- approx. 37,560
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €7 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €4young people aged 6 to 18, over 60s, teachers at state schools and universities, journalists, military personnel in uniform, university students, residents of Caserta and groups of more than 20 people |
| Groups (21+ people) | –Groups of more than 20 people pay the reduced rate; group guided tours must be booked. |
| School groups | €3One teacher for every 10 students, and one companion for each student with disabilities, enter free. |
| Casa del Tessitore (separate) | €1 |
| Educational operator (visitors without a guide) | €2Per person, subject to staff availability. |
Free admission: Days at a reduced rate of €4: 14 February, 8 March, Easter morning, 25 April, 1 May, 2 June, 2 October (children under 10 free), 1 November and the morning of 24 December.
Prices from the museum’s website.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
| Time needed | approx. 60 min |
|---|
Getting there & parking
By car
Parking available
Covered garage or outdoor spaces beyond the entrance.
The complex is about 6 km from Caserta railway station.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
Parking in a covered garage or in outdoor spaces beyond the entrance.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Corporate events
- Weddings / ceremonies
The site offers its venues for events, conferences, meetings and civil weddings; enquiries to ufficioamministrativobelvedere@comune.caserta.it.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Entry to the museum is only permitted with a licensed tour guide or an educational operator from the museum. The Reali Giardini close in bad weather. The visit lasts about 1 hour, or about 1.5 hours including the Casa del Tessitore. Group bookings: +39 0823 273152 or +39 0823 273174. |
