SORRENTO, Correal Museum

The Correale Museum in Sorrento is named after the family of the Correale Counts, local nobles who donated the Villa and their art collection to the town in the early 20th century.

The palace that houses the museum, dating back to the 18th century, is a magnificent example of Sorrento architecture. The original structure was a country villa set amid lush gardens and citrus groves. Over the years, the building has been expanded and embellished, transforming it into a palace that reflects the elegance and refined taste of its owners.

The museum is spread over several floors, each of which houses different collections arranged in rooms decorated with period furniture, frescoes and porcelain that create an evocative historical context.

The Correale Museum collection is vast and varied, ranging from Renaissance and Baroque art to works from the 19th century. Among the most significant works are Italian Renaissance paintings by artists such as Francesco Solimena and Giacomo del Po.

Among the museum's finest features are the porcelain and majolica collections, with pieces from the most famous Italian and European manufacturers.

You will also find a rich collection of decorative art, including finely inlaid furniture, Murano glass, and silver pieces; a room with archaeological artifacts from the Sorrento Peninsula; a unique collection of antique clocks testifying to the technical and artistic evolution of these extraordinary timepieces, and a library filled with volumes from the 18th and 19th centuries.

The most fascinating floor is the piano nobile, located at the top of a grand staircase. In addition to Louis XV-style furnishings, there are 17th- and 18th-century paintings by Neapolitan artists, clearly influenced by the style of Caravaggio. The most important works are located in the Sala delle Meraviglie, or Hall of Wonders, where you can also see a beautiful Magdalene painted by Artemisia Gentileschi.

Surrounding the villa is a lush park with plenty of shade, from which you can reach a panoramic terrace with views of the Bay of Naples. The garden is home to several statues and archaeological finds, including the striking fountain of Ceres, near the Belvedere.

An interesting fact: The Correale Museum is known as "the most beautiful provincial museum in Italy”.