Bacoli's Casina Vanvitelliana, splendor on the water

About this activity

You are in the area of the Phlegraean Fields with your better half and are perhaps looking for the perfect place for a nice romantic walk at sunset? We have just the destination for you. Perhaps you don't know that in the municipality of Bacoli, less than an hour's drive from Naples, there is an enchanting place, rich in history and positioned in the middle of an enchanting lake setting. We are talking about the Vanvitellian Casina, a former Bourbon hunting lodge in the Rococo style that seems to emerge directly from the waters of Lake Fusaro. For centuries a haven of leisure for aristocrats and artists, the Casina Vanvitelliana is now accessible to all and still capable of enchanting visitors with its noble elegance of yesteryear.

Why visit the Casina Vanvitelliana

The Vanvitellian Casina, a real jewel set in the tranquil waters of Lake Fusaro, exudes history and beauty from all sides. Starting in 1752, the area (sparsely populated for centuries) was used as a hunting and fishing reserve for the use of the Bourbon. As it is easy to guess, this fact completely changed the history of the place, initiating a process of enhancement and enrichment of this land.

The first works were commissioned from the great architect Luigi Vanvitelli (maker of the Royal Palace of Caserta), but the Casina Vanvitelliana was largely built by his son, Carlo Vanvitelli. The latter began work by consolidating a pre-existing islet a short distance from the shores of Lake Fusaro, and in 1782 he completed the building: an elegant polygonal pavilion on two levels, complete with large windows and terraces from which it was possible to admire exceptional sunsets. A striking wooden pier connects the Casina to the shore of the lake, adding charm to this enchanting place.

Curiosities about the Casina Vanvitelliana

Due to its status as the private residence of the rulers of the House of Bourbon, the Casina Vanvitelliana has welcomed many distinguished guests over the centuries. Many are the foreign nobles and rulers who have come to visit the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies who stayed in the Casina: among the most important were the emperor of Austria Francis II of Habsburg-Lorraine and the czar of Russia Nicholas I. After theUnification of Italy the Casina Vanvitelliana had other distinguished guests, such as. Victor Emmanuel III of Savoy (last king of Italy) and, a short distance away, the President of the Republic Luigi Einaudi. However, the enchanting scenery of Lake Fusaro (and the deliciousness of the oysters reared in its waters) did not only strike a chord with sovereigns and politicians: in fact, among the most distinguished guests were the celebrated composers Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Joachim Rossini.

The Casina Vanvitelliana is often the subject of misunderstanding: in fact, many mistakenly believe that it was used as a film set to house the home of the Blue Fairy (played by Gina Lollobrigida) in the famous screenplay The Adventures of Pinocchio realized by Luigi Comencini in 1972. In reality, the small house-palafitta that appeared in the script and its associated wooden walkway were built specifically for filming in two different locations in Lazio, and today they are unfortunately no longer visible.

Enchanted Gardens of Christmas

The Fusaro Bourbon Park lights up every year in November for the Christmas holidays, and the gardens of the Vanvitellian Park are transformed into a real enchanted place thanks to the Christmas decorations and lights. As is customary, events, concerts and art exhibitions are also planned to make the visit to the enchanted garden even more enjoyable and give moments of amazement not only to children but also to adults.

As of Nov. 26, 2021, free shuttle service has been activated to reach the Vanvitellian Park on Fusaro. It is possible to park your car in Baia at Via Lucullo 57, in the former Cantieri area. The area is supervised and the service operates on Saturdays and Sundays from 4:30 to 11:30 p.m., both on the outward and return trips.

The Royal Site built in 1782 also houses an exhibition of eighteenth-century nativity scenes from the classic Neapolitan tradition.