Giovanni Antonio de Medrano was the "Major Regius Praefectus Mathematicis Regni Neapolitani", chief engineer of the kingdom, architect, brigadier, and teacher of Charles III of Spain and his brothers the infantes. Giovanni was born in Sciacca in the Kingdom of Sicily. Giovanni Antonio de Medrano designed the Obelisk of Bitonto, the Palace of Capodimonte and the Teatro di San Carlo in Italy for Charles III of Spain. Medrano’s career is particularly studied, from his stay in Seville as a teacher for the royal princes, and his influence on Prince Charles’ architectural taste, to his projects in the Kingdom of Naples and the royal palace at Capodimonte.

Charles III was King of Spain in the years 1759 to 1788. He was also Duke of Parma and Piacenza, as Charles I (1731–1735); King of Naples, as Charles VII; and King of Sicily, as Charles III (1735–1759). He was the fourth son of Philip V of Spain and the eldest son of Philip's second wife, Elisabeth Farnese. He was a proponent of enlightened absolutism and regalism.