Royal Palace of Turin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Royal Palace of Turin |
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Palazzo Reale di Torino
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The façade (1646–1660). The top of the dome of the Chapel of the Holy Shroud is visible on the left.
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| General information | |
| Architectural style | Baroque, Neoclassical |
| Address | Piazzetta Reale 1 |
| Town or city | Turin |
| Country | Italy |
| Coordinates | 45°04′22″N 7°41′10″E / 45.0727°N 7.686°E |
| Groundbreaking | 1645 |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Ascanio Vittozzi, Carlo and Amedeo di Castellamonte, Filippo Juvarra, Benedetto Alfieri, Pelagio Palagi. |
| UNESCO World Heritage Site | |
| Criteria | Cultural: i, ii, iv, v |
| Inscription | 1997 (21st Session) |
The Royal Palace of Turin (Italian: Palazzo Reale di Torino) is a famous historic palace in Turin, Northern Italy. It was once the main home for the powerful House of Savoy, a royal family. The palace was first built in the 1500s. Later, in the 1600s, Christine Marie of France made it more modern with help from the architect Filippo Juvarra.
This grand palace also includes the Palazzo Chiablese and the Chapel of the Holy Shroud. The chapel was specially built to keep the famous Shroud of Turin. In 1946, the palace became owned by the Italian government and was opened as a museum. In 1997, it was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It joined 13 other homes of the House of Savoy on this important list.
Contents
History of the Royal Palace
Building the Palace: A New Royal Home
The construction of the Royal Palace began in 1645. Christine Marie of France, who was acting as regent (a temporary ruler), ordered it to be built. She wanted a new, grand home for the royal court. This was especially important after her son returned from a civil war.
The chosen spot was where an old Bishop's Palace used to stand. This location was perfect because it was in the middle of Turin, the new capital of Savoy. It was sunny and close to other important court buildings. The Duke could even watch the city's two main entrances from there.
From Bishop's Palace to Ducal Residence
The old Bishop's Palace was taken over by the French in 1536. It then became the home for French viceroys (governors) in Savoy. Across from it was the Palazzo Vecchio, also known as the Palazzo di San Giovanni. This building was later replaced by the much grander Ducal Palace.
The old Bishop's Palace became the center of power. Emmanuel Philibert, Duke of Savoy expanded it a lot. He needed more space for his growing collections of art, animals, marbles, and furniture. After his death in 1580, his son, Charles Emmanuel I, Duke of Savoy, took over.
Royal Weddings and New Additions
In 1608, Charles Emmanuel I celebrated the marriages of his daughters, Princess Margaret and Princess Isabella. For this special event, he ordered a ring of porches to be built. These were topped with an open gallery.
His son, Victor Amadeus I, Duke of Savoy, made an important marriage in 1619. He married the French Princess Christine Marie of France in Paris. Victor Amadeus I became Duke of Savoy in 1630. His wife, Christine Marie, played a big role in his reign. She moved the court from the ducal palace in Turin to the Castello del Valentino. Many of their children were born there.
Regency and Artistic Flourish
After Victor Amadeus I died in 1637, Christine Marie became the regent. She ruled for her young sons, who became Dukes of Savoy. From 1660 to 1663, an artist named Bartolomeo Caravoglia worked on new decorations for the Royal Palace. He painted beautiful scenes in the Sala delle Principesse (Princesses' Room). These paintings celebrated the marriages of Savoy family members to foreign royals.
Grand Galleries and Royal Families
During the time of Victor Amadeus II, the Daniel Gallery was created. It was named after Daniel Seiter, who painted its amazing murals. Victor Amadeus II also had special summer apartments built that looked out onto the court. He also had winter apartments facing the gardens. His wife, Anne Marie d'Orléans, was the niece of the famous King Louis XIV.
The Chapel of the Holy Shroud was added to the palace between 1668 and 1694. This chapel is where the Shroud of Turin is kept today. The Dukes of Savoy became Kings of Sicily in 1713. Later, they traded Sicily for the Kingdom of Sardinia in 1720. Anne Marie d'Orléans died at the palace in 1728.
Later Years and Museum Transformation
Victor Amadeus III and his wife, Maria Antonietta of Spain, preferred to live in the countryside. They often stayed at the Palazzina di caccia di Stupinigi. The palace in Turin saw new life when Victor Emmanuel II of Sardinia married Maria Adelaide of Austria. Some of its rooms were redecorated.
In 1946, the Italian Republic took ownership of the palace. It was then turned into a museum. This museum shows the "Life and Works of the House of Savoy." The rooms are filled with rich tapestries and a collection of Chinese and Japanese vases. The Royal Armoury (weapon collection) has many old weapons, including examples from the 1500s and 1600s.
The palace also features the Scala delle Forbici, a beautiful staircase designed by Filippo Juvarra. The Chapel of the Holy Shroud, with its unique spiral dome, is in the west wing. It connects to the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist. This chapel was built to house the famous Shroud of Turin, which belonged to the Savoy family for many years. The royal gates of the palace have a golden Medusa symbol. This symbol was believed to protect the palace from intruders.
See also
- List of Baroque residences
