Because the film producer was using the magnificent backdrop of the Royal Palace Gardens for the 5th of his Star Wars saga.

The Reggia di Caserta is really a stunning work of art the gardens are over a kilometer square and made up of smaller more intimate spaces named after statues and fountains nearby; Alous, Cerere, Venus etc.

Not to be missed is the old fish pond. It is 279m x 205m in size and was used by the Bourbons to simulate naval battles and assaults.

The Royal Palace itself was designed by Vanvatelli and constructed from 1751 for Carlo VII King of Naples who eventually became King of Spain.

Even today it is the most grandiose of all the Italian 'Palazzi' and was such a huge project that convicts and Muslim slaves where conscripted into the work force.

When To Go: During November a series of classical concerts is organized leading up to 'Natale alla Reggia' in December.

For all you need to know about the Royal Palace and Park of Caserta. follow this link to the website of the 'Ministero per i Beni e le Attività Culturali' in Italy. www.reggiadicaserta.beniculturali.it

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