The royal palace of Capodimonte was desired for the city of Naples by the King Charles III of Bourbon, who wanted to embellish his vast game reserve on the green hill of Capodimonte.

The construction of the building, designed by Giovanni Antonio Medrano, began in 1738 and lasted for about twenty years, with great sophistication in the materials and finishes. At the completion of the building, Charles III transferred the precious Farnese collection inherited from the mother.

On the death of the king, his successor Ferdinand IV commissioned the architect Fuga to expand the kingdom and rearrange the park, with the important contribution of specialists from the Royal Botanical Gardens; during the French decade the works of art were moved the building of the National Museum, and the palace became the residence of Joachim Murat, then return to host Ferdinand on his return to the throne of Naples.

During this period, the vast courtyards and spacious lounges are further enriched, and the building assumed its final appearance. Under the Savoy, the royal palace of Capodimonte plays the dual role of residence and museum, and then fulfill the 1950 (year of establishment of the National Museum of Capodimonte), only the latter function, hosting collections of medieval and modern art and the return of the collection Farnese.