The Royal Palace of Caserta, one of the main historical and artistic sites in Campania, was the scene of an event that combined nerd culture and film production. On Sunday, December 14, the spaces of the royal palace hosted a gathering of fans of the Star Wars saga, organized by The Dark Side of Naples (which is part of the Star Wars Italia.net network), a Campania fan club and cosplay group active throughout the territory and Southern Italy since 2015. Thanks to the coordination of the Reggia staff, participants were able to parade in costume inside the apartments, with special access to the staircase and upper vestibule, areas used in 1999 as the set for the royal palace on the planet Naboo in Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace and Episode II - Attack of the Clones. The initiative also saw the participation of Empisa Star Wars Fun Club, a group active since 2015 and considered among the most numerous clubs in Italy, and Clone Force 66.
Since 1955, the Royal Palace of Caserta, erected in 1750 at the behest of Charles of Bourbon (1716-1788) as the ideal center of the new kingdom of Naples, now autonomous from the Spanish aegis, has been selected as the location for very specific reasons. The monumental architecture and spacious interiors of the palace provided a natural backdrop suitable for large-scale film productions, such as Ron Howard’s Angels and Demons, J.J. Abrams, Fernando Meirelles’ The Two Popes and, more recently, Edward Berger’s The Conclave, thus confirming the site’s potential both as a set and as a venue for contemporary cultural events. The organizers of The Dark Side of Naples also expressed the importance of the collaboration with the Reggia staff, who coordinated the on-site activities, and the active participation of fans, elements that made possible an organized meeting without interfering with the normal enjoyment of the heritage.
The presence of fans and industry professionals also reminded the audience of the historical link between the Reggia and George Lucas’ saga, consolidating the image of the palace as a location that can tie in with modern productions. The event also raises a consideration about theuse of historic venues for cosplay gatherings. Initiatives such as the one in Caserta (similar to Lucca Comics) and other industry events can certainly contribute to the enhancement of artistic sites, stimulating cultural interest and participation. Similarly, however, one may wonder whether it is appropriate to use historical and artistic spaces for entertainment events, considering the delicacy and importance of the heritage. In this case, the scenes filmed in the Reggia for Star Wars episodes make it clear how a historic palace can function as both a film set and a cultural gathering place, while still requiring care and organization to avoid risks to historic environments. In this balance, the Royal Palace of Caserta establishes itself as a space that can accommodate contemporary cultural practices without sacrificing its historical identity.
Star Wars fans inside the Reggia di Caserta. Photo: The Dark Side of Naples
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| Cosplayers invade the Royal Palace of Caserta: Star Wars fans inside the palace |
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