The Hamlet of San Leucio and its Belvedere

Not far from the Reggia di Caserta (Caserta Mansion) there is the royal hamlet of San Leucio, that is in the UNESCO World Heritage List. This hamlet became a property of the Bourbons in 1750 and, thanks to the foresight of Federico IV, it turned into one of the most important areas for silk production.

The Bourbon arch of the hamlet of San Leucio leads to the Complesso Monumentale del Belvedere di San Leucio (San Leucio’s Belvedere Monumental Complex), that was built to serve as a royal hunting residence but that soon became the symbol of the love of Ferdinando IV for his Silk Royal Colony. This complex housed both the royal apartments and the silk factory, a very unusual match back then that allowed the king to stay close to the workers.

The community of San Leucio workers is regulated by the San Leucio Statute, a special legislation based on equality and respect for everyone, both men and women that received, among other things, a house and free education.

Even now, the San Leucio Complex includes both the royal apartments and the silk ancient factory of San Leucio, nowadays known as the Museo della Seta (Silm Museum) that consists of three departments: industrial archaeology, historical apartments and gardens, textile worker’s house. The full price ticket is € 9,00.