This prominent park was built at the end of the 18th century by the king Ferdinand I of the two Sicilies, in order to give his royal family a charming place where to have a walk away from the working-class. The ‘Tuileries gardens’ of Paris have inspired the whole decoration of the park, thanks to the introduction of neoclassical statues, fountains, temples and bushes. By the end of the century, the ‘Cassa Armonica’, a wonderful structure made of cast iron and glass, was built by the architect Errico Alvino. Almost a century later, the zoological station Anton Dohrn, which houses the most ancient aquarium in Italy, was placed inside the Villa Comunale.
From 1861 on, the national park was decorated with new statues which were meant to commemorate those personalities who had praised Naples in their works. In the middle of the 20th century, the park also welcomed the old ‘Palazzo del Circolo della Stampa’ (the Press Association Palace). Thanks to the last restoration works, a new flooring and food areas have been introduced. The park has several lateral entrances whilst the main access is in Piazza Vittoria. Moreover, it is perfectly located in the middle of the two main Neapolitan streets: via Caracciolo, that represents the main segment of the famous seafront, and the Riviera di Chiaia, the most antique street in the area.
