17km (11 miles) NW of Naples
The busy town of Caserta, only a few miles north of Naples, is an agroindustrial center serving its fertile environs. It had its moment of glory in the 18th century, when the new Bourbon king decided to move his capital here from Naples, and Caserta suddenly appeared on international maps. The palace he built was designed to rival Versailles. The king also gave new breath to the local economy, creating a small silk industry in nearby San Leucio.
