The lantern of the Royal Palace of Caserta returns to shine after restoration

The Royal Palace of Caserta is rediscovering one of its most iconic elements: the "lantern," the domed octagonal construction at the center of the Royal Palace, has in fact been restored. Although not accessible to the public, this structure represents the highest point of the monumental complex wanted by Charles of Bourbon and designed by Luigi Vanvitelli, a key element for thenatural lighting of the interior spaces and in particular of the Palatine Chapel.

Located at the intersection of the arms of the Vanvitellian palace, the lantern is a masonry structure that rises above the body of the building, allowing light to filter through and illuminate the floor below. The recent restoration, carried out as part of the “Roofs and Facades” program, returned the architectural element to its original whiteness through a conservative intervention aimed at eliminating the signs of time and decay.

A cleaning and consolidation intervention

Work on the lantern focused first on cleaning the surfaces. Dry cleaning was carried out to remove surface deposits, followed by disinfection with biocide to prevent the proliferation of microorganisms harmful to the masonry. The walls, where they had cracks or gaps, were grouted and shaved, thus restoring their uniformity.

In order to maintain chromatic consistency with the original, the painting was carried out on the basis of careful analysis of the masonry, which made it possible to identify the authentic shades used originally. To complete the intervention, surface protection was applied to preserve the work over time and reduce the impact of weathering.

New fixtures to ensure light and durability over time

A key aspect of the restoration involved the lantern’s eight windows, whose wooden frames were in an advanced state of deterioration. To ensure the functionality and safety of the structure, it was decided to completely replace the window frames, thus returning the architectural element to its original role as a source of natural light.

Adjacent to the lantern, a large iron fixture with brass details allows the sun’s rays to illuminate the Palace’s Palatine Chapel. This structure also underwent restoration work, made possible as part of the Reggia’s larger roof restoration plan. The metal underwent a thorough cleaning to remove signs of corrosion, treated with a protective coating to stop deterioration, and consolidated to ensure durability. In addition, damaged or missing glass was replaced, restoring the full functionality of the window frame.

The restoration of the lantern at the Royal Palace of Caserta is part of the “Roofs and Facades” program of interventions, part of the 2014-2020 Complementary Operational Program for Action and Cohesion to the 2014-2020 NOP Culture and Development. The project, entrusted to the firm Fratelli Navarra, is aimed at safeguarding and enhancing the architectural heritage of the Royal Palace, preserving its most significant elements and ensuring its usability for future generations.

The lantern of the Royal Palace of Caserta returns to shine after restoration

Warning: the translation into English of the original Italian article was created using automatic tools. We undertake to review all articles, but we do not guarantee the total absence of inaccuracies in the translation due to the program. You can find the original by clicking on the ITA button. If you find any mistake,please contact us.