The Hanging Garden was originally created as the Garden of the Belvedere, presumably around the mid-17th century, with the expansion of an initial terrace surrounding the building. This terrace was built in 1671 to accommodate the rooms of the Vicereine Ana Fernandez de Cordoba.
The 18th-century project was part of the expansion and embellishment of the Palace promoted by Charles of Bourbon, who arrived in Naples in 1734. It developed as a large terrace with a balustrade adorned with busts and large flower vases, featuring a simple paving layout with rectangular flower beds. At the center, there was an elliptical garden with a fountain.
In the first decade of the 19th century, a richer arrangement of the flower beds was documented. The current layout is the result of modifications made by Gaetano Genovese between 1836 and 1842, permanently altering the terrace’s appearance by adding a new wing and an iron bridge connecting it to the Historic Apartment.
The Hanging Garden consists of individual rectangular flower beds arranged in two rows, separated by a pathway covered by a metal pergola. The central area is defined by an elliptical space, with a circular section surrounded by four curved Carrara marble benches supported by neoclassical lion-footed bases, arranged in four orthogonal directions. A fine neoclassical table made of white Carrara marble sits at the center, serving both as a support surface and as a planter and fountain. The central pavement design, composed of alternating elements of Carrara marble and Bardiglio Imperiale, echoes the classical aesthetics of the table and serves as the visual focal point not only of the garden but of the entire southern facade.
After Genovese’s intervention, further hydraulic system improvements and botanical additions were carried out under the Savoy reign in 1877, continuously enriching and modifying the garden’s layout with new plants, benches, and planters.
Following World War II, during the restoration of the Royal Palace—which had suffered extensive damage from over a hundred bombs and the explosion of a ship loaded with explosives—work was also carried out to refurbish the terrace of the Garden. The bridge was demolished at that time but was rebuilt in 2009.
A comprehensive restoration project, completed in 2018, addressed both architectural and structural aspects as well as new botanical arrangements, restoring the original species, including citrus trees and roses.
Possible schedule changes during the summer months:
During the months of July and August, due to high temperatures, guided tours of the Hanging Garden of the Royal Palace of Naples will take place daily (except Wednesdays) at 10:00 AM.
Starting from Monday, September 1, the regular tour schedule will resume.
Please note that tours of the Hanging Garden are not available during evening openings and on free admission days.
In the event of severe weather conditions reported by alerts issued by Civil Protection authorities, the Hanging Garden may be partially or fully closed to the public.
