|
ROYAL
RESIDENCES IN PIEDMONT
Capital
of the Duchy of Savoy, the Kingdom of Sardinia and then
the first capital of Italy, Turin boasts treasures of major
historical and architectural interest that are inscribed
on the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites: the Royal Residences
of Piedmont. The entire region is starred with these magnificent
buildings that form a vast circuit, the first part of which
is presented here. We are working to extend and enrich the
circuit and look forward to welcoming you again in the future
to complete your journey. Stately palaces, fairytale castles
and immense parks recount a history of dukes and bellicose
kings, lovers of art and collectors, refined royal ladies
who loved ballet and the theatre, famous royal architects.
Places built for the purpose of entertainment and leisure,
splendid hunting lodges, palatial buildings at the heart
of modern Italy, the Royal Residences narrate the epic deeds
of the House of Savoy, from the grand dukes to the first
kings of Italy. Our journey starts with the magnificent
Royal Palace in Turin, the official residence for more than
two centuries. Just a few kilometres from the city are Stupinigi,
the famous hunting residence designed by Juvarra, the impressive
castle in Rivoli, and the castles of Agliè and Racconigi,
set in lush parks and gardens.
Relive
the atmosphere of the past and the splendour of Turin as
the capital in the wonderful Royal Residences, the rich
homes of the Savoy dynasty, declared “World Heritage Site”
by UNESCO in 1997. Both outside and in the city, you can
admire sumptuous buildings and furnishings. First of all,
there are those that overlook piazza Castello: the majestic
Royal Palace, designed by Castellamonte, is still considered
to be one of the most beautiful palaces in Europe. Palazzo
Madama, instead, sums up the many periods of Turin: built
on the base of a Roman gate, the main body is Medieval and
the façade is Baroque, with the entrance hall and monumental
staircase designed by the great architect Filippo Juvarra.
The areas around Turin offer a galaxy of castles and residences
to admire. It is the “crown of delights” built for the House
of Savoy, of great historic interest and insuperable artistic
importance: from the Royal Palace of Venaria Reale to Rivoli
and Moncalieri Castles, from Stupinigi Hunting Lodge to
Agliè Castle.
PALAZZO
REALE
Its
construction started in 1646 by order of Christine of France,
duke Victor Amadeus I’s wife, and was the official residence
of the Savoy dukes and later kings for more than two centuries.
Today the royal apartments furnished with precious objects
and paintings can be admired.
PALAZZO
MADAMA
In
the heart of the city, this wonderful museum-residence recounts
the story of Turin from
its origins, because it includes in a single building the
towers of the old Roman gate Porta Pretoria, the fifteenth-century
Castle of Ludovico D’Acaja and the spectacular façade with
hall and grand staircase by Juvarra.
PALAZZO
CARIGNANO
Famous
example of Baroque architecture by Guarino Guarini, with
its billowing façade and carefully carved brick lining.
In 1848 it was transformed into the first Italian Parliament.
The halls of the piano nobile now house the National Museum
of the Italian Risorgimento, exhibiting documents, relics,
paintings, books, flags related to Italian history up to
the second World War.
CASTELLO
DEL VALENTINO
This
majestic seventeenth-century residence rising on the banks
of the river Po is located in Turin’s biggest park. Its
characteristic slanting roofs are a tribute to Royal Lady
Christine of France, who was particularly fond of it and
staged tournaments, carousels, parties and river battles
here. Today it houses the Faculty of Architecture of the
Turin Polytechnic.
VILLA
DELLA REGINA
In
the first decades of the Seventeenth century, Cardinal Maurizio
of
Savoy used this residence, inspired by Roman villas, to
host the Accademia dei Solinghi. The following century,
Queen Anne d’Orléans chose this villa as hill residence,
while during the nineteenth century it passed to the Daughters
of Military Personnel. In the park, sculptures, fountains
and marble balustrades can be found at different levels.
BASILICA
DI SUPERGA
Designed
by Filippo Juvarra, it was built on the top of the hill,
in a strategic and panoramic position, by Victor Amadeus
II to keep the vow he made on the occasion of the siege
to Turin in 1706.
CASTELLO
DI RIVOLI
Magnificent
Baroque building, today housing the most important
Italian contemporary art museum with works documenting the
artistic activity from the Fifties to the present day.
PALAZZINA
DI CACCIA DI STUPINIGI
An
extraordinarily innovative and daring complex designed by
Filippo Juvarra, it is characterized by the ingenious X-shaped
plan originating from the sumptuous elliptic central hall.In
the magnificently frescoed halls, the Residence houses the
Museum of Art and Furniture, with high quality pieces.
REGGIA
DI VENARIA REALE
The
“Versailles of Turin”, as it is called, is a huge complex
of 480,000 sq m realized by Amedeo di Castellamonte and
Filippo Juvarra.
CASTELLO
DELLA MADRIA
In
the farm where the foals of the royal herds destined to
hunting and military cavalry were bred in the Eighteenth
century, the Castle apartment renovated by Victor Emmanuel
II in the mid-Nineteenth century can be visited. Victor
Emmanuel II himself spent long periods of time here, far
from the court’s etiquette, with the “Bella Rosina”.
CASTELLO
DI MONCALIERI
The
unique massive and squared structure of this Castle dominates
Moncalieri. Its current use as a Carabinieri Station has
not altered its beauty: in the royal apartments, decorated
lounges and the refined boudoir of Queen Maria Adelaide
can still be admired.
CASTELLO
DUCALE DI AGLIE'
In
this residence with more than three hundred rooms, once
country seat of Charles Felix, the great frescoed and stuccoed
ballroom can be admired, together with the picture gallery
and a precious collection of archaeological finds. You may
then go for a walk in the wonderful garden surrounding the
Castle.
get
our "Turin Manual"
|