Design Inspiration - Palazzo Reale, Naples, Italy

The Royal Palace of Naples is a must on my list of things to do in Naples.  I wasn't able to  visit until my third trip and now I want to return just so I could spend more time there.The audio tour is interesting and informative.  Palazzo Reale is one of four royal palaces in and near Naples.  Construction, with prominent architect Domenico Fontana, started in the 17th century by the Spanish Viceroys initially as a home to host the visiting King of Spain.  He never came (so rude!) and the palace eventually became the home of various rulers, including the Bourbons and the Savoys.  The Kingdom of Naples was fought over by the French and Spain for centuries.  At times the Kingdom included most of southern Italy, and Sicily.The Palace was expanded over the years. Napoleon's sister, Caroline, lived in the Palace with her husband Joachim Murat (aka the Dandy King) who was the King from 1808-1815.The building suffered extensive damage from bombing during WWII but was restored.Below is the main staircase. It was very cloudy and overcast when I arrived. I still gasped when I walked in and saw this space.  Pictures do not do it justice. View from the top of the stairs. This ceiling is unreal. Close up of another ceiling. Gorgeous. This floor tho.  How nice to have your own theatre. And your own chapel. A less ornate space. Love the simplicity of this light fixture. Love this ceiling too.  I chuckle when I hear the color grey is too trendy so now it needs to be over.  I disagree.  It's a classic. The ballroom. It was starting to clear up as I walked out.  There's a view of the sea from several of the rooms but it was hard to get a photo without the scaffolding.  The gardens are not public but there is an interior courtyard with a fountain.Photos: me and my iPhone