Itinerary - Piazza Castello - Look
THERE IS ROYAL AND REAL
Piazza Castello, the square which hosted the dynasties of the Kings of Italy, is now crowded in an un... real way: in fact you will see lots of real but not... royal people, a church without a façade (San Lorenzo), and a façade without a palace (Palazzo Madama). Who really lives in this square? Who is really royal at the Royal Palace? PALAZZO REALE (THE ROYAL PALACE)For more than three centuries it has been the home of dukes and kings! The first project, begun in 1584, was by Ascanio Vitozzi on commission of Carlo Emanuele I. On the original structures a lot of alterations were made, mainly by Juvarra, who realized the famous "staircase of the scissors", a sober and slender flight of steps that the architect built in 1720 in order to solve a difficult problem of vertical connection. Starting from 1738, the main interpreter of the royal taste was Benedetto Alfieri,who mainly worked on the ornaments of the second floor. But the works that mainly modified the building date back to 1832: during the reign of Carlo Alberto, the architect Pelagio Pelagi redesigned the interiors of the ceremonial rooms and the Hall of the Swiss. Eventually, in 1862, on commission of Vittorio Emanule II, the ceiling, the banisters and the stucco ornaments were remade. Don't miss the room of the body guards (or of the astrological Dignities - with its 12 frescoes), the room of the grooms, or of the Virtues (carved wooden ceiling of 1660),the throne hall (ornaments in gilt and carved wood; floors in ebony, walnut, rosewood, mahogany and sandalwood),the hall for private hearings, or of the enigmas (20 small paintings with allegorical scenes),the alcove room (original 17th century ornaments).Piazza Castello Tel. 011/4361455 50% reduction on entrance fee for young people between 18 and 25 years of age. Within the former greenhouses of Palazzo Reale, visit the Museo d'Antichità exhibiting precious archaeological collections of various origin. The most ancient collections date back to Emanuele Filiberto of Savoy and include several sculptures. After a temporary move to the Accademia delle Scienze (Science Academy) Palace, the classical collections were returned to the museum.You can admire relics, sculptures and porcelains from Cyprus, Greek vases and Etruscan urns. Via XX Settembre 88/C Tel.011/5211106 Open: tue-sun 8,30-19,30 |
PALAZZO MADAMA (THE ROYAL MADAM’S
As its name suggests, it was the home of
the royal ladies: Maria Cristina of France
and Maria Giovanna Battista of Savoy-
Nemours. The building looks heterogeneous
and for this reason is absolutely
charming. Its architecture narrates the
history of our city! The Roman Period with
the Porta Decumana, the Middle Ages with
Porta Fibellona and the image of the Castle
on it, the 17th century with the façade
realized under the supervision of Castellamonte
and then the Baroque with the
avant-corps and the staircase by Juvarra (a further impressive enlargement - two
wings and two towers - was never realized).
It hosted the Royal Picture-Gallery
(1832-1865), the Subalpine Senate (1848-
1860), the Italian Senate (1860-1864) and
the Supreme Court of Cassation (1869-
1923). Today it hosts the Municipal Museum
of Ancient Arts. Don't miss the collection
of statues, ceramics, enamels and
ivory pieces. The night lighting makes it
magic... raise your head and have a look at
the ornaments, the statues and the decorations.
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THE CATHEDRALIt is one of the very few examples of Renaissance architecture in Turin!It stands on the remains of three ancient communicating churches: an abbey, a baptistery and a church for the common people. The interior,with a Latin cross plan, still maintains some gothic elements: e.g. semicolumns, pillars and lancet arches. In the 17th century the famous chapel of the Holy Shroud by Guarino Guarini, was added; it is a typical example of Baroque style. Apart from the great religious value of the relic, the chapel is famous for its special light effects, its tripartition and the black marble of the portals. The Holy Shroud is displayed only on particular occasions. Piazza San Giovanni |
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SAN LORENZO CHURCHDue to its originality it is considered one of the most famous monuments of the Italian Baroque! Guarino Guarini designed the dome between 1668 and 1680. The façade, on the contrary, is not typical of religious buildings: it looks like an ordinary residential home, in typical Turinese style. With a central plan, it is characterized by eight convex sides lit from above by beams that make it dynamic. This "unusual" church is situated between via Palazzo di Città and Piazzetta Reale and you enter from the Oratory of the Addolorata. |
THE ROYAL LIBRARYPut together by Pelagio Pelagi, today it is an important source for studying the history of the Savoy dynasty. Inside the building you will find quite a lot of richly illuminated manuscripts of the 15th and 16th centuries, among them Leonardo da Vinci's on flight and his famous self-portrait, besides drawings by other renowned painters such as Raffaello, Tiepolo and Van Dyck. Have a look at the vault; you will admire the allegories of Sciences, Letters and Arts as well as the portraits of their most important members, designed by Pelagi.Piazza Castello, 191 Tel. 011/543885 |
THE ROYAL ARMOURYOne of the most important collections of weapons in the world both for beauty and value, in particular the collection of knighthood armour and the trimmed hunting weapons. Completely refurbished, it was reopened to the public in 2005.Piazza Castello, 191 Tel 011/543889 |
(THE ROYAL RIDING
The old royal stables, built by Benedetto
Alfieri in 1740, are becoming one of the
most characteristic places in Turin, mainly
for theatre performances and film projections.
Take a look inside it... you'll feel like
you are in the past. |
GALLERIA SUBALPINAIt was built in 1874 as a commercial arcade. Once you are in the arcade... admire the glass windows and the iron works. Charming.Between piazza Castello e piazza Carlo Alberto |
PALAZZO CHIABLESEHome of the Dukes of Chiablese, of Carlo Felice and the Dukes of Genoa. From 1956 to 2000 it hosted the Cinema Museum:now it hosts the Regional Board of the Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Environmental Conservation.Piazza San Giovanni 2 |
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