On March 25th, the Monumental Complex of the Belvedere of San Leucio opened its doors for a day that marks a turning point between historical memory and a vision of renewed revival. On the occasion of the 250th anniversary of the Royal Colony, the Orizzonti Foundation, in synergy with national and local institutions, promoted a solemn celebration dedicated to what was once one of the most advanced experiments in welfare and social innovation in Europe.
The solemnity of the event was marked by the participation of T.R.H.s Prince Carlo and Princess Camilla of Bourbon Two Sicilies, a testament to the historical and cultural bond that gave rise to this site, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The day featured discussions between government representatives, local institutions, and leading figures of the territory, in a dialogue aimed at relaunching the role of San Leucio in the contemporary cultural and productive landscape. The proceedings were introduced and coordinated by the historian and essayist Paolo Mieli.
“San Leucio is the manifesto of a new productive and cultural humanism,” emphasized Giuseppe Menniti, President of the Orizzonti Foundation. “With the Leucian Year, we intend to transform memory into a living project, bringing Caserta back to the center of the international debate on labor and regeneration. We are not merely celebrating an anniversary, but starting again a driving force of civilization which, today as 250 years ago, shows the way to combine excellence of inventivness, the beauty of art, and the value of social cohesion.”
The initiative is part of the broader program of the Leucian Year, a structured calendar of cultural, institutional, and scientific events aimed at restoring both historical and contemporary centrality to the experience of San Leucio, relaunching its value in the national and international public debate.
Founded in 1776 by Ferdinand IV of Bourbon, San Leucio immediately established itself as a manufacturing excellence and a laboratory of civilization. Through the renowned “Leucian Code,” the Colony introduced revolutionary principles for its time, such as compulsory education, labor protection, equality between men and women, and attention to public health, outlining a model of community that today, in the era of major economic and digital transformations, once again challenges the present with extraordinary relevance.
For over two centuries, the name of San Leucio has been synonymous with unparalleled production quality. Its silks, born from the meeting of technological innovation and artisanal mastery, have lasted over history, adorning institutional buildings and royal residences, and helping define worldwide the value of Italian craftsmanship. Today, that same community seeks to reaffirm its vocation and manufacturing greatness, relaunching them through renewed awareness of its cultural heritage, transforming San Leucio’s historical legacy into an active driver of development, identity, and international projection.
In the afternoon of the same day, H.R.H. Princess Camilla of Bourbon Two Sicilies, accompanied by her consort and H.R.H. Princess Beatrice of Bourbon Two Sicilies, visited the historic silk mills of San Leucio, a symbolic place of manufacturing tradition and Italian artisanal excellence.
The visit aimed to highlight the fundamental role of women in the history of the Royal Colony.
“San Leucio represents an extraordinary chapter of our history, in which women played a central role not only in production, but in building a community founded on fairness and respect,” declared the Princess. “Visiting the silk mills today means paying tribute to this heritage and reaffirming how relevant it still is to invest in talent and in the promotion of women’s work.”
The Princess also emphasized the personal and symbolic value of the visit, linked to her family’s history and to the meaning that San Leucio continues to hold as a model of social and cultural progress. “For my family, this place is not only memory, but a concrete example of vision and responsibility, inviting us to look to the future with awareness.”
