Villa Pignatelli
Neoclassical house museum on the Riviera di Chiaia with an English garden, collections of furniture and ceramics, and the Casa della Fotografia.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The villa was designed in 1826 by the architect Pietro Valente for Ferdinando Acton, in neoclassical forms with neo-Renaissance, neo-Palladian and neo-Pompeian elements, and was surrounded by an English garden designed in 1830 by Guglielmo Bechi. In 1841 it was bought by the Rothschilds, who renewed its decorations, and after Italian unification it passed to Prince Diego Aragona Pignatelli Cortes, who introduced an eclectic taste.
In 1955 Princess Rosina Pignatelli donated the villa to the State, giving rise to the Museo Pignatelli, one of the few examples of a house museum in Naples. The interiors are arranged around three central salons and include the library, the dining room and rooms furnished with furniture, silverware, bronzes and an important collection of European and Oriental ceramics, including pieces from the Real Fabbrica di Capodimonte.
After a restoration, in 2015 some private rooms of the family were reopened, such as the prince's bathroom, the studiolo and the princess's boudoir. The carriage museum occupies the former stables, while the first-floor rooms host photography exhibitions: the villa is also known as the Casa della Fotografia. The museum is part of the autonomous institution Palazzo Reale di Napoli.
Highlights
- Nineteenth-century interiors with the Salotto Rosso and the ballroom
- Collection of European and Oriental ceramics, including pieces from the Real Fabbrica di Capodimonte
- English garden by Guglielmo Bechi
- Private rooms of the princes, reopened in 2015
- Casa della Fotografia with photography exhibitions
Permanent exhibition
- Museo Diego Aragona Pignatelli Cortes – Interiors of the house museum with salons, library, dining room, furniture, silverware, bronzes and ceramics.
- Founded
- 1955
- Operated by
- Palazzo Reale di Napoli (Ministero della Cultura)
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €5 |
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| Reduced | €2European Union citizens aged 18 to under 25 |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 17 · Free admission for under-18s. |
| Groups | –Maximum group size: 25 people. |
| Extraordinary evening openings | €3 |
| Daily combined ticket Palazzo Reale + Museo Pignatelli | €17Usable within one month of the first entry. |
| Evening combined ticket Palazzo Reale + Museo Pignatelli | €6Valid only for evening openings. |
Admission to the park is free with a museum ticket. Tickets are bought online, at the totem or at the Palazzo Reale ticket office; they are not refundable unless the museum cancels.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: no information
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
Animals are not admitted, except assistance dogs for people with disabilities. Some rooms may be temporarily inaccessible.
Kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 17 |
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- Family tours & workshops
The museum takes part in the Giro giro Napoli initiative, dedicated to the city as told to children.
Getting there & parking
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Amenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Good to know | Some rooms may be temporarily inaccessible: please check with the staff at the entrance. |
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