Royal Palace of Turin and Royal Gardens
Why is it significant?
Look up at the dignified and imposing seventeenth-century pale facade of the Royal Palace of Turin, the official royal residence of the House of Savoy until Italy's capital was moved to Florence and Rome.
Key Facts
| Place | Royal Palace of Turin and Royal Gardens |
|---|---|
| Address | Piazzetta Reale 1, 10122 Turin, Italy |
| Geo Coordinates | 45.07320, 7.68650 |
| Part of Walk | Royal Palaces, Shroud Cathedral and Roman Quarter: The Imperial Origins of Turin |
| Generated | Generated |
Look up at the dignified and imposing seventeenth-century pale facade of the Royal Palace of Turin, the official royal residence of the House of Savoy until Italy's capital was moved to Florence and Rome. Commissioned in 1646 by Regent Christine of France and designed by architect Amedeo di Castellamonte, the palace was conceived as an elaborate instrument of royal statecraft. It is guarded from the public square by a grand wrought-iron gate crowned with bronze equestrian statues of the Dioscuri Castor and Pollux, sculpted by Pelagio Palagi. Passing beneath the portal brings you into the courtyard of honour and the gilded royal apartments, where celebrated European decorative masters collaborated, including cabinetmaker Pietro Piffetti, renowned for his intricate ivory-and-tortoiseshell commodes, and painter Daniel Seiter, creator of the ceiling frescoes in the Daniel Gallery. Beyond the Royal Armory wing stretch the expansive Royal Gardens, originally designed by Versailles landscape master André Le Nôtre.
Take in the sweeping perspective of the Royal Gardens: Le Nôtre laid out geometric parterres, tree-lined allées, and ornamental fountains in 1697, creating a Parisian-style green retreat that originally reached all the way to the city's outer bastions. Today the restored park offers an oasis of peaceful shade beneath century-old linden trees. Walking through the manicured pathways, visitors discover ornamental marble basins, stone mythological statues, and tranquil shaded lawns that once hosted grand royal garden festivities.
The palace houses the Royal Armory, one of the most prestigious historical weapon and armour collections in the world, founded in 1837 by King Carlo Alberto with medieval jousting suits and the ceremonial sword of Saint Maurice.
Notice the hushed silence of the inner courtyard: centuries of kings, foreign monarchs, and emperors were received here with ceremonial fanfare during royal receptions and diplomatic summits.
Exit back onto Piazzetta Reale and turn right to discover the astonishing cupola of the Royal Church of San Lorenzo.