If you are looking for an out-of-town trip to Naples, then Villa Pignatelli is just right for you! This ancient residence located along the Riviera di Chiaia in Naples is ready to make you travel through time and give you an unforgettable experience. Imagine a neoclassical facade , an enchanting English garden and an architectural heritage that will leave you speechless. Here, this is Villa Pignatelli which houses the Prince Diego Aragona Pignatelli Cortés Museum and the Carriage Museum .
History and Architecture
Villa Pignatelli is a monumental complex wanted by the baronet Sir Ferdinand Richard Acton , son of John Francis Edward Acton, VI Baronet, prime minister of Ferdinand I in 1826.
The structure was built by Pietro Valente and Guglielmo Bechi , demolishing the pre-existing house that belonged to the Carafas.
Upon Action’s death in 1841, the villa was purchased by a family of German bankers, Carl Mayer von Rothschild , who lived here until 1860, when other embellishments entrusted to Gaetano Genovese were added to the previous works. It was in this period that the three-story building known as the Rothschild building was born.
After the unification of Italy, the villa was sold to Prince Diego Aragona Pignatelli Cortés, Duke of Monteleone , who transformed it into a cultural meeting place for intellectuals of the time, which included philosophers, men of letters, Neapolitan aristocrats, and not only.
The covering of the portico, the main internal transformations and the choice of furniture date back to 1897, made specifically for the rooms of the apartment, reflecting the splendor in the reinterpretation of the styles of the past, fashionable in the last thirty years of the century.
From 1952 Villa Pignatelli was donated to the Italian State by Princess Rosina Pignatelli through the Ministry of Public Education, by means of a public will , provided that by her will:
“No object could be distracted from being part of other collections”.
The goal is to make it a museum that would perpetuate the name and magnificence of the nobles who lived here. Together with the villa, the Pignatelli family also donated what they managed to collect over the years, such as bronzes, silver, ancient books, porcelain and other objects, which make up the villa today.
The Prince Diego Aragona Cortés Museum was opened to the public in 1960. In the same year, but inaugurated in 1975 and reopened to the public only in 2014, the Villa Pignatelli Carriage Museum was born .
How to reach it
Villa Pignatelli is located in the Chiaia district in Naples and can be easily reached by car or public transport. The closest metro stop is Piazza Amedeo, while the closest bus stop is Corso Vittorio Emanuele.
Conclusion
With its impressive architecture, lovely garden and cultural events, Villa Pignatelli is a unique experience that won’t leave you disappointed. Take a day off, breathe new air and let yourself be carried away by the beauty of this ancient residence. Remember that history and culture have never ceased to inspire, and Villa Pignatelli is proof of that. What are you waiting for? Discover this wonder today!
