Savoy Royal Residences in Turin and Piedmont

On the territory of modern Piedmont 10 centuries, the Savoy dynasty ruled.

The reign is exceptionally long and much longer compared to many famous European dynasties.

In 1563, the capital of Savoy was moved to Turin by the representative of the Savoy dynasty Emanul-Filbert. Thanks to this event, according to modern Turinese, the city has its present appearance.

300 years of prosperity as a capital city have done its job. Medieval, insignificant in all respects, Turin from the second half of the 16th century began to be transformed in the best traditions of the architectural style of the time. The best architects of the courtyard designed and built the city and its surroundings.

The heyday of construction occurred in the 17th and 18th centuries, when in and around Turin (in the forests, on the hills, along the river) numerous royal residences were built and rebuilt by the architects of the Baroque direction (Carl and Amedei Castellamonte, Guarino Guarini, Philippe Juvarra, Michelangelo Garové and many others).

The residences had different purposes. Some of them were used as hunting. The royal hunt was borrowed from the French court. The ritual and protocol of hunting were strictly observed, ranging from the sequence of actions, ending with the form of clothing of close associates accompanying the king to hunt and the division of hunting prey. This protocol of royal hunting, captured by the best artists and to this day can be seen on art canvases in various residences that have become museums.

In the residence, built on the hills, vineyards were equipped. Most of the residences were used for the summer stay of high-ranking persons. Most were also intended for balls and ceremonial receptions and walks through the luxurious gardens around them. The design of the royal gardens involved the best European landscape architects, such as André Lenotre, who designed the Gardens of Versailles near Paris.

The architect Amedeo Castellamonte gave a characteristic name to the numerous residences built by Savoa – the Precious Crown of Royal Residences. And, indeed, the whole galaxy of residences, surrounded Turin "precious" architectural ring.

From the 16th to the 19th century, the residences were periodically restored and rebuilt due to the destruction caused by wars, as well as at the behest of new fashion trends in architecture and art.

The sad event of 1863, when it was announced the transfer of the capital of the united Italy from Turin to Florence, and then to Rome for a while made you forget about all this numerous architectural wealth. Some of the residences were simply abandoned, the other - transferred to various needs. To this day, the Savoy Residence is preserved, which was given to the royal carabinieri. There are still troops of Carabinieri, serving in Turin.

Undoubtedly, huge damage to the Savoy residences was caused by the stay of Napoleon's troops in Turin, when a significant territory of Italy was included in the French Empire. Many residences were looted and later turned into barracks.

In the late 90s and early in the new century, many of the Savoy royal residences were carefully restored and turned into museums.

Today, tourists visiting Turin have a great opportunity to admire these residences, their gardens, furnishings, paintings and sculptures, outstanding works of cabinet makers and other representatives of applied art. Curious specimens used in everyday life, unique royal kitchens, documents about the life of royalty and bourgeois society, many historical evidence of events that took place not only in Savoi, but also in the largest European countries.

All these magnificent museums are available and waiting for their tourists and admirers!