The Hall of Ambassadors at the Royal Palace of Naples in Italy

Ambassadors’ Hall On the ceiling of the Hall of Ambassadors in the Royal Palace of Naples, one can admire frescoes painted in 1620 by Belisario Corenzio.

They depict the splendours of the House of Spain and various episodes from the life of Ferrante of Aragon.

Each of the fourteen frescoes on the ceiling is framed by gilded stucco.

One can see “The War against Alfonso of Portugal” who, through his marriage to Giovanna, sought to obtain the crown of Castile.

Ambassadors’ Hall Also “The war against King Louis XII of France”, the heir to the territories of Charles VIII, who consequently laid claim to Italy, “The Spanish aiding Genoa, besieged by the French” and “The conquest of the Canary Islands”, “The battle against the Moors”.

As well as “The Spanish victory in the Alpuxarras mountains”, the Moors’ last refuge, “The triumphal entry of Ferrante of Aragon into Barcelona”, “The expulsion of the Jews from Spain”, “The discovery of the New World” and “Philip III’s oath to rule Sicily”.

At the centre of all these scenes is “The meeting between Ferrante of Aragon and Francis of Paola” which took place whilst the founder of the Order of Minims was travelling to France to offer the support of his faith and religion to Louis XI and during which he was the guest of Ferrante of Aragon.

Ambassadors’ Hall In this painting, the artist Belisario Corenzio depicts Francis of Paola rebuking King Ferrante of Aragon for failing to behave properly towards his subjects.

To these eleven scenes painted by Belisario Corenzio in 1620 were added three further episodes, probably painted by Massimo Stanzione and relating to Archduchess Marianne of Austria, daughter of Ferdinand III, Emperor of Germany, who was destined to marry Philip Baltasar, son of Philip IV of Spain.

But the young woman, due to the premature death of her betrothed, had to marry his father, Philip IV, who was 29 years older than her.

Ambassadors’ Hall Philip IV died in 1665 and the young Marianne became regent until her son Charles II came of age.

The three scenes painted on the ceiling of the Hall of Ambassadors are: “The departure of Archduchess Marianne da Finale Ligure for Madrid”, then her “Entry into Madrid” and finally the “Wedding to Philip IV”.

Some very beautiful and large tapestries by L.O. de La Tour are also on display in this room and depict allegories of the sea and the land.

The furnishings of this Ambassadors’ Hall are of the highest quality, comprising side tables, chairs and sofas as well as a collection of artistically decorated clocks.

Ambassadors’ Hall