From December 19, while awaiting the triumphant return of the throne in February 2026 from the La Venaria Reale Conservation and Restoration Center—where it is undergoing restoration as part of Intesa Sanpaolo’s Restituzioni project—the Royal Palace of Naples and Kaos Produzioni, under the artistic direction of Stefano Gargiulo, offer visitors the chance to imagine court life through the interactive video installation The King’s Elevator.
Set just behind the Throne Room, in the former General’s corridor, the installation invites visitors on a journey through time aboard a virtual interactive elevator. This immersive visual experience transports spectators across the centuries.
Each floor represents a different century, accessible through a control panel that allows visitors to travel from the 1600s—the century in which the Palace was built—up to the present day.
The journey begins in the early 1600s, when the Palace was commissioned by the 6th Count of Lemos. Images of Spanish viceroys of Naples are projected alongside excerpts from the manuscript of Renao, a chamber porter who, for over 30 years, documented court ceremonies. Seventeenth-century Naples is portrayed with dark, Caravaggio-inspired tones, evoking the tragedies of plague and the violent eruptions of Mount Vesuvius.
Pressing the second button takes visitors to the 1700s, the era of Charles of Bourbon. The monarch becomes a visible presence, no longer a distant ruler from Spain. Scenes showcase the transformation of the Palace and the construction of new royal residences, symbols of the Kingdom’s wealth and rising influence in Europe. Ornate costumes and imported oriental styles highlight the fusion of fashion and diplomacy in the Palace’s artworks and furnishings.
The third floor presents the 1800s, with a pantomime of the post-Napoleonic era and the dramatic fire of 1837, which led to significant architectural changes by Gaetano Genovese, some of which remain today. A grand ball signals the end of the Bourbon dynasty and the arrival of the House of Savoy.
The final floor transports the viewer to the Palace’s Belvedere, where panoramic views and the sounds of Naples bring the journey into the present.
Between one floor and another, the daily life of the people—excluded from the court but essential to the Kingdom of Naples—emerges through glimpses of their labor, struggle, joy, and resilience. They are, in truth, the silent protagonists of history.
The scenes are inspired by and closely connected to the paintings, vases, tapestries, and details of the Royal Palace itself.
The installation is free to access and included in the Palace’s admission ticket. It is open daily (except Wednesdays, when the museum is closed) from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM.