Museum Pignatelli Cortes

A striking villa on the Riviera di Chiaia of Naples, the house itself is the museum. The neoclassical home was built in 1826 by Sir Richard Acton, the Prime Minister of King Ferdinando I. When he passed away, it was acquired by the famous financier family, the Rothschilds. It then later was purchased by Diego Aragona Pignatelli Cortes, of the Aragon aristocracy. The villa has maintained its art and housewares collections in the original places through the centuries.

The noble residence boasts a central atrium and a grand staircase. There is a column-lined porch, giving it an almost Antebellum appearance. Well-groomed gardens stretch out from the house toward the seafront and the city's largest public park, known as the Villa Comunale. The built-up hillside of populated Naples rises behind it. Inside the apartments are fine paintings, gilded mouldings, glass chandeliers and period furnishings. Set apart in the old pavilion is a coach museum, containing carriages from two centuries.

The Villa Pignatelli Cortes Museum is open from 8:30 AM til 2:00 PM daily. Closed Tuesdays.