Seaside park of Villa Favorita

Of the ancient structures in the park today we are left with the Palazzina dei Mosaici, a fishpond, and remnants of some rides. The Casina was probably acquired following the bequest to the royal family although it is already depicted in Francesco Sicuro's 1777 engraving dedicated to the Prince of Jaci. It was certainly modified in its layout and in the decoration of the gambling hall, made unique by the use of materials, such as mother-of-pearl to porcelain shards, that make up striking mosaics put in place, at the behest of the king, thanks to the experience of local masters, probably trained at the Royal workshop of Pietre dure in Capodimonte.

The panorama one has the opportunity to admire from the back of the Casina dei Mosaici is among the most striking in the Gulf of Naples. The pier, a historic Bourbon landing, allowed the Royal Family to reach the Herculaneum site directly by sea. It was here that Ferdinand IV of Bourbon, chose to land when in 1802 he returned from Palermo where he had taken refuge following the revolutionary uprisings of 1799. The Antico Approdo Borbonico, and the Coffee House building, formed by two turrets flanking the descent to the sea according to the custom of the time, are still visible, but the relationship between the shoreline and the entire garden was completely disrupted by the construction of the railroad section in 1839. The ?Russian Mountains?, actually represent the most beautiful coffee house in the park. Added in 1854, it looks like a small outdoor theater enhanced by a fishpond and a fountain. During the year, slides with wooden walkways were set up on the occasion of games open to the public, hence the attribution of the name ?Rollercoaster?.