Founded in Etruscan times, and called Galazia, Caserta is located north of Naples

The Bourbons arrived in Caserta in the sixteenth century and the city experienced a golden age, with the realization of many great works of architecture. In fact, in 1744 Charles of Bourbon, King of Naples, decided to build a new royal palace that had to be compared with that of Versailles. 

For his project he commissioned the architect Luigi Vanvitelli to carry out the works that began in 1752. Thus was born a monumental palace of extraordinary harmony and perfection - the Reggia di Caserta, often described as the Italian "Versailles". Inside there are 1200 rooms, 1940 windows and 34 staircases, in a twenty years of work were built 45,000 square meters of land.  A true masterpiece of architecture and decoration, a succession of works of art, bas-reliefs, frescoes, sculptures and inlaid floors.

About 10 km northeast of Caserta is the medieval village of Caserta Vecchia. This small and romantic town, founded in the eighth century by the Lombards and belonging to the Principality of Capua, was the seat of the bishopric since the ninth century. Its imposing cathedral in Sicilian-Arab style dates back to 1153 and is the center of the village. At the eastern entrance of Caserta Vecchia is the tower, about 30 meters high, which was the Maschio of a fortress of 900.

A short distance from the Royal Palace, King Charles of Bourbon bought from the princes Acquaviva di Caserta a hunting estate located on the hill of San Leucio. Charles' successor, his son Ferdinand, decided to promote the traditional activity of silk weaving and set up a factory for silk production. In a short time he transformed the whole territory into a manufacturing village, with a stable colony of sieves.

The refinement of the silk of S. Leucio, is among the most beautiful in Europe, so much so as to cover the walls of many important buildings such as the Quirinale, the Oval Office of the White House (USA), even the flags at Buckingham Palace are made with this silk.