The Cryptoporticus

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At the heart of the English garden, between illusions and ancient times

According to Carlo Vanvitelli’s 1787 design, the Cryptoporticus was conceived in such a way as to deceive the guests of being in an archaeological excavations area , a site of an ancient Roman nymphaeum. This evocative gallery space overlooks the Bagno di Venere, giving life to one of the most fascinating views of the English Garden. Inside, under a coffered vault torn by fake cracks and fake collapses, statues from the Farnese Collection of real archaeological origin are exhibited. A Venus, Aesculapius and various togate figures are added to a monumental sarcophagus in Pavonazzetto marble from Villa Farnesina in Rome.

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Palazzo Reale

Parco Reale

Giardino Inglese

Beyond the Royal Palace

1. Palazzo Reale 2. Parco Reale 3. Giardino Inglese

1. Via d'acqua 2. Castelluccia 3. Peschiera 4. The Fountain of Dolphins 5. The Fountain of Aeolus 6. The Fountain of Ceres 7. The Fountain of Diana and Actaeon 8. The Fountain of Venus and Adonis 9. The waterfall and Torrione 10. The Bosco Vecchio (Old Wood)11. The Margherita Fountain

1. The Lake, The Ruined Temple and The Swan’s House 2. The Cryptoporticus 3. The Bath of Venus 4. The Aperia 5. The Italic Temple 6. The Pyramid 7. The Tempietto (small temple)8. The Obelisk 9. The Gothic Chapel 10. The greenhouses 11. Gardener’s House 12. The Shepherd’s Fountain

1. The Royal Staircase and Upper Vestibule 2. The Cannocchiale 3. The Court Theatre 4. The Throne Hall 5. The Astrea Room 6. The Four Seasons Rooms 7. The Palatine Library 8. Maria Carolina’s Boudoir 9. Alexander Hall 10. The Ferdinand IV’s Study 11. The Palatine Chapel 12. The Royal Apartments

Beyond the Royal Palace

The Cryptoporticus

At the heart of the English garden, between illusions and ancient times

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