Miglio d'Oro e Ville Vesuviane (Villa Campolieto)
Ercolano
Hidden gemHistory & archaeology
The story
The eighteenth-century residences of the Neapolitan nobility along the Miglio d'Oro, with Villa Campolieto and its elliptical portico facing the sea among stuccoes and gardens.
Access
€ for some
The story
The Golden Mile (Miglio d'Oro) is the stretch of Vesuvian coast, between Naples and Torre del Greco, where in the eighteenth century the nobility built over a hundred sumptuous villas: they arose after Charles of Bourbon, from 1738, chose Portici for his royal palace, and the court followed him with summer residences facing the sea. The most famous is Villa Campolieto, at Herculaneum, the work of Luigi Vanvitelli.
What to see
Villa Campolieto, restored and visitable, with the elliptical portico, the frescoes and the view over the gulf, is the gateway to the world of the Vesuvian Villas; the Ente Ville Vesuviane also cares for Villa Favorita, Villa Ruggiero and Villa delle Ginestre. An itinerary in the aristocratic Naples of the eighteenth century.
Tips
The villas have their own openings, hours and tickets and are not all visitable in the same way: start from Villa Campolieto and check on the site of the Ente Ville Vesuviane what is open. You are at Herculaneum, handy to combine with the Excavations. Many villas host events and concerts.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Golden Mile?
The stretch of Vesuvian coast between Naples and Torre del Greco where in the eighteenth century over a hundred noble villas arose, after Charles of Bourbon chose Portici for his royal palace.
Which Vesuvian villa can you visit?
Villa Campolieto at Herculaneum, by Luigi Vanvitelli, is the best known and visitable; the Ente Ville Vesuviane also cares for Villa Favorita, Villa Ruggiero and Villa delle Ginestre.
Where is the Golden Mile?
Along the Vesuvian coast between Herculaneum, Portici and Torre del Greco, south-east of Naples.
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