10 reasons to visit Torino - part 4. The Savoy Palaces
One of the smallest states of Europe had the largest number of Royal Palaces. Discover how the House of Savoy used to impress their peers with amazing building and an incredble show off of art and wealth.
Matteo
2/16/20262 min read
Many first-time visitors to Turin (including many Italians) aren't fully aware of how rich and powerful the former Italian royal family was. They were certainly not richer than other great European monarchs, but they controlled the Alpine routes for centuries, thus fueling the jealousy of other sovereigns and an incredible number of military attempts to conquer their territory, all of which failed.
The House of Savoy (formely the Royals of Italy) celebrated their glory and displayed their power by building an incredible number of royal residences, described by their own court architect, Amedeo di Castellamonte, as the "crown of delights." This is an impressive number of palaces intended for direct government, simply for vacations, or for the practice of the court's most beloved sport: hunting. Adding all these palaces and castles together, Turin, its outskirts, and Piedmont boast a staggering 16 buildings which have been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List for their uniqueness, construction characteristics, and shared purposes, making them unique.
Of these 16, many are located in Turin or its immediate vicinity, easily accessible by public transportation or, if you prefer, by renting a car (but don't forget to book a guided tour with Matteo). Below are just the main ones, or, to put it another way, those you simply can't miss if you come to Turin:
• Palazzo Reale and the complex of the royal museums: the Kingdom's command center
• Palazzo Madama, which houses the Civic Museum of Ancient Art
• Palazzo Chiablese, which hosts temporary exhibitions and is occasionally open to the public in its stately rooms
• Palazzo Carignano, which houses both the National Museum of the Risorgimento and the noble apartments where the first king of Italy was born.
• Reggia di Venaria: one of the largest royal complexes in Italy and Europe, just outside Turin
• Palazzina di Caccia di Stupinigi: unique for its central frescoed ballroom.
It's not always easy to book entrance tickets well in advance, so it's important to keep an eye on the respective websites and train yourself with a little patience.