Palazzo Reale di Torino
Turin
Once the residence of the Savoy, the Palazzo Reale of Torino tells the splendour of the dynasty that united Italy. With its sumptuous halls, the Armeria Reale and its gardens, it is the heart of Savoy power. Your treasure map leads you into the rooms where the kings of Sardinia and of Italy reigned.
History
The Palazzo Reale of Torino was the official residence of the dukes of Savoy, later kings of Sardinia and finally of Italy, from the second half of the 16th century. The present building was designed from the 17th century onwards and enriched over the following centuries by many court artists and architects. After the Unification of Italy it remained a Savoy residence until 1865, when the capital was moved.
What to see
The interiors are richly decorated with stucco, gilding, frescoes and period furniture, all bearing witness to the splendour of the Savoy court. Among the most famous rooms are the Salone degli Svizzeri, the Throne Room and the Scala delle Forbici, the "scissor staircase", a masterpiece by the architect Filippo Juvarra.
The complex also houses the Armeria Reale, one of the most important collections of antique arms in the world, and the Biblioteca Reale, which holds the famous red-chalk self-portrait attributed to Leonardo da Vinci. Outside stretch the Giardini Reali, the Royal Gardens.
Curiosities
The Palazzo Reale belongs to the Residences of the Royal House of Savoy, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Today the palace is part of the Musei Reali, which bring together several of the city's collections.
Visiting
Admission is charged and the palace is part of the Musei Reali di Torino circuit. It looks onto Piazzetta Reale, right in the centre, next to Piazza Castello and the Cathedral.
