Giardini Reggia Di Caserta, Caserta

Urban Legend of the Ancient Royal Palace of Caserta
The True Love That Broke a Spell

CASERTA – A legend of the Royal Palace tells the story of Prince Andrew and Rosella, a fisherman’s daughter. Jealous, the noble Neapolitan women turned to a witch, who mixed up the potion and transformed the girl into an old woman instead of killing her with a cursed rose.

Another witch revealed that only the prince’s kiss could break the spell. Andrew, not recognizing her, died of grief. Rosella was exiled to a cave in the park.

Years later, she met the hunter Ulrico. When he died, the old woman—mistaken for a witch, captured, and sent to be hanged—as her dying wish, she asked for one last kiss from Ulrico. Prickling herself with a sprig of butcher’s broom, a drop of her blood revived him. That gesture of love broke the curse: Rosella became young and beautiful again, and married the man she loved.