Giardini Napoletani di Palazzo d'Avalos

Behind Palazzo d'Avalos in Vasto, the Napoletani Gardens preserve a late-18th-century layout of crossing paths, a pergola, a central well and a terrace facing the Gulf of Vasto. The garden forms part of the palace's civic museum complex.

Why it matters

The garden links the former residence of the d'Avalos marquises to a landscape shaped by Neapolitan design. Its cross-shaped plan organises a sequence from the palace through shaded paths to a panoramic terrace above the gulf.

What to notice

Orthogonal paths meet at a central well surrounded by four majolica-faced benches. A pergola runs on columns above the walks; the garden also preserves traces of a pavilion, fountains and a small vaulted nymphaeum with shell-lined niches. The giardinetto terrace looks out over the sea.

Context and history

The d'Avalos marquises ruled Vasto and established Palazzo d'Avalos as their residence. The garden took its present form in the late 18th century, when its earlier features were reorganised in the Neapolitan manner. Restoration returned the historic layout to view.