A palace, museum, and historic tourist site located in Piazza del Plebiscito. It was one of four royal palaces in the Naples area used by the Bourbon kings during their rule over the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies (1734–1860).

Construction of the current palace began in the 17th century, intended for King Philip III of Spain in anticipation of a visit that ultimately never took place. Initially, the palace housed the viceroy, Fernando Ruiz de Castro, Marquis of Lemos.

In the early 17th century, the façade was completed, followed by fresco decorations in the rooms and the royal chapel. In 1734, when Charles III of Spain arrived in Naples, the palace became the official royal residence of the Bourbons.

A major renovation took place under Ferdinand I, King of the Two Sicilies, in 1768, during which the great hall was built and a private theater was added.

In the second half of the 18th century, a “new wing” was constructed, which in 1927 became the National Library named after Vittorio Emanuele III.

Later in the 18th century, the royal residence was moved to the Reggia di Caserta, which was further from the sea and therefore better protected from naval attacks and from the occasionally rebellious population of Naples.

Today, the complex includes the palace and adjacent buildings: the Teatro di San Carlo, the recently restored Teatrino di Corte, a museum, and administrative offices, including those of the Regional Tourism Council.

In 1888, King Umberto I of Savoy modified the western façade of the building facing Piazza del Plebiscito, adding a series of niches with statues of Naples’ most prominent rulers since the founding of the Kingdom of Naples in the 12th century.

The statues are displayed in chronological order according to each ruler’s dynasty, beginning with Roger the Norman and ending with Vittorio Emanuele II, whose statue — the tallest — was the last to be added.