About this tour
One of the main attractions to be seen in Naples is Villa Pignatelli, a splendid monumental residence located along the Chiaia Riviera. This imposing structure is surrounded by beautiful parkland and is a wonderful example of the neoclassical style.
For the past few years, Villa Pignatelli has also been named. House of Photography as it hosts important international exhibitions and displays dedicated to photographic art. Today inside it you can visit 2 different museums: the Prince Diego Aragona Pignatelli Cortes Museum and the Carriage Museum. Here is everything you need to know about these museum hubs and how you can visit them.
The Diego Aragona Pignatelli Cortes Museum
Villa Pignatelli is one of the most fascinating examples of neoclassical architecture in Naples and is distinguished by the magnificence of the decorative elements that recall other styles such as Neo-Renaissance, Hellenistic, and Neo-Palladian.
The building was constructed in 1826 according to the design of Peter Valente at the request of Ferdinand Acton, son of the British prime minister to King Ferdinand IV. This British taste is seen, for example, in the location of the manor house in the middle of a park and in the irregular pattern of the garden and flower beds.
In 1841, the residence was purchased by the family Rothschild who decided to enlarge the mansion and partly modify its furnishings. Following the Unification of Italy in 1860, the Rothschilds were forced to put the mansion up for sale, which passed into the hands of Prince Diego Aragona Pignatelli Cortes.
In 1955, Princess Rosina Pignatelli decides to donate to the Italian state Villa Pignatelli with all the other properties attached to it, and with the furniture and works of art kept inside it is officially established the Diego Aragona Pignatelli Cortes Museum.
The residency unfolds in 3 main living rooms: the blue one leads to the Ballroom and is decorated with photographic walls containing dedications of illustrious people who frequented Villa Pignatelli; the red one furnished in the style imprinted by the Rothschilds connects the entrance vestibule to the neoclassical veranda; the green one, on the other hand, is the room that joins the library to the dining room adorned with the original tableware of the Pignatelli house.
The entire villa is an immense display of valuable furnishings, furniture, and bronze and silver objects, as well as Chinese ceramics, French porcelain, and Neapolitan productions from Capodimonte. The building has since undergone major restoration work and in 2015 it was reopened to the public after a full 50 years.
The Carriage Museum
Inside Villa Pignatelli you can also visit the Carriage Museum, located in the old stables of the residence. It was conceived by Bruno Molajoli thanks to a donation from Marquis Mario D'Alessandro of Civitanova and was designed by Enzo Bruno de Felice in 1975.
The museum was closed several years for some restoration work and has been rearranged according to more modern standards. The following can be admired here 34 models of carriages and gigs of French Italian and English provenance divided by type and from various private collections.
In addition to carriages, the exhibition includes bits, leather harnesses, trappings and various horse care items, including combs, mouth openers, and shoe covers. In addition, there are some multimedia spaces with analytical worksheets, while a play station with interactive games has been created for younger children.
