Palazzo San Giacomo

In 1816 King Ferdinand I of Bourbon decided to build a large building to house all the ministries of the Bourbon State. Entrusted the project the architects Antonio de Simone, Vincenzo Buonocore and Stefano Gasse. A work concluded, the Palace had 816 rooms and 10 halls, and was one of the largest palaces in Europe. The southern facade, which is the main, has a high rusticated basement and three portals. The interior decorations are in Neoclassical style. A large hall decorated coffered portaintroduce the stairs, the details of which are placed four niches containing the statues by the sculptor Antonio Calì. At the mezzanine is located the marble and piperno bust of Partenope, called 'a capa 'e Napule, whose discovery is uncertain. Other busts are displayed around the place that lead to the Council Chamber, and that represent the Neapolitan "gold medals" of the First World War.