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 (called Palazzo Reale di Torino in Italian) is a grand historic palace in the city of Turin, Northern Italy. It was once the main home for the House of Savoy, a powerful royal family. The palace was first built in the 1500s. Later, in the 1600s, it was updated by Christine Marie of France, with help from the famous architect Filippo Juvarra.
The palace complex also includes the Palazzo Chiablese and the special Chapel of the Holy Shroud. This chapel was built specifically to keep the famous Shroud of Turin, which is believed by many to be the burial cloth of Jesus.
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. This means it's a very important place for the whole world to protect. It's one of 13 residences of the House of Savoy that are on this special list.
Contents
History of the Royal Palace
Building a Royal Home
The construction of the Royal Palace began in 1645. It was ordered by Christine Marie of France, who was acting as a Regent (a ruler for a young king). 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 be. This location was perfect because it was sunny and close to other important buildings. From here, the Duke could also keep an eye on the city's main entrances.
Early Days and French Influence
The Bishop's Palace was taken over by the French in 1536. It became the home for the French Viceroy (a ruler acting for the king) of Savoy. Across from this palace was another building, sometimes called Palazzo Vecchio. This older building was later replaced by the grand Ducal Palace.
The old Bishop's Palace became the center of power. It was greatly expanded by Emmanuel Philibert, Duke of Savoy. He wanted more space for his growing collections of art, animals, and beautiful furniture.
Royal Marriages and New Designs
Emmanuel Philibert passed away in 1580. His son, Charles Emmanuel I, Duke of Savoy, took over. To celebrate the marriages of his daughters, Princess Margaret and Princess Isabella, in 1608, Charles Emmanuel I added a ring of porches and an open gallery.
His son, Victor Amadeus I, Duke of Savoy, made an important marriage. He married the French Princess Christine Marie of France in Paris in 1619. Victor Amadeus I became Duke in 1630. His wife, Christine Marie, brought a new style to the court. She moved the court from the ducal palace in Turin to the Castello del Valentino. Many of their children were born there.
After Victor Amadeus I died in 1637, Christine Marie became the Regent for her young sons. 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.
Changes Under Victor Amadeus II
During the time of Victor Amadeus II, the Daniel Gallery was created. It was named after Daniel Seiter, who painted the amazing murals there. Victor Amadeus II also had special summer apartments built that looked out onto the court. He also had winter apartments that faced the gardens. His wife, Anne Marie d'Orléans, was the niece of the famous French King Louis XIV. Two of Louis XV's family members, Princess Marie-Adélaïde of Savoy and Maria Luisa of Savoy, were born in the palace in 1685 and 1688.
The Chapel of the Holy Shroud was added to the palace between 1668 and 1694. This chapel was built to house the famous Shroud of Turin.
Kings of Sardinia and Later Years
The Dukes of Savoy became the Kings of Sicily in 1713. However, they later traded Sicily for the Kingdom of Sardinia in 1720. They ruled from Sardinia after that. Anne Marie d'Orléans passed away at the palace in 1728.
Victor Amadeus III and his wife, Maria Antonietta of Spain, preferred to live in the countryside at the Palazzina di caccia di Stupinigi. The Neoclassical style was introduced to the palace during the reign of Charles Emmanuel III. The palace was later overshadowed by the Stupinigi building. However, when Victor Emmanuel II of Sardinia married Maria Adelaide of Austria, some of the palace rooms were redecorated, bringing new life to it.
In 1946, the palace became the property of the Italian Republic. It was then turned into a museum. The rooms are filled with beautiful tapestries and a collection of Chinese and Japanese vases. The Royal Armoury is also located here. It has a huge collection of old weapons and armor, including pieces from the 1500s and 1600s.
Special Features of the Palace
The palace has a unique staircase called the Scala delle Forbici, designed by Filippo Juvarra. The Chapel of the Holy Shroud, with its spiral dome, is in the west wing of the palace. It connects to the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist. This chapel was built to keep the famous Shroud of Turin, which belonged to the royal family from 1453 until 1946. The main gates of the palace have a golden Medusa symbol on them. This was meant to scare away intruders and protect the palace.
Anna Caterina Gilli was an artist who worked on decorating the palace.
See also
In Spanish: Palacio Real de Turín para niños
- List of Baroque residences
