Rivoli Castle is the former residence of the royal house of Savoy in Rivoli (province of Turin, Italy). Currently, the castle houses the Museum of Contemporary Art "Castello di Rivoli - Museo d" Arte Contemporanea ".

The castle was probably built in the 9th-10th centuries, but its existence was mentioned for the first time only in 1159, in a charter of Emperor Frederick Barbarossa, who ceded Rivoli to the Bishops of Turin.

The Savoy dynasty bought Rivoli in the 11th century, and feuds with the bishops soon broke out, because of which the castle was damaged in 1184. In 1330, Amadeus VI of Savoy moved to the castle of Consiglio dei Principi. The castle was also the site of the first popular veneration of the Shroud of Turin on its way to Turin under Amadeus IX.

After a period of decline, the Peace of Cato-Cambresia (1559) established that Duke Emmanuel Philibert could not reside in Turin until he had a boy.

Therefore, he placed his residence in the Rivoli Castle and began work on its restoration according to the project of the architect Ascanio Vittozzi. In 1562 Charles Emmanuel I was born and he returned to Turin.

The work on the Vittozzi project was completed in 1644 under the direction of Charles and Amedeo di Castellamonto, with the creation of the so-called Long Sleeve (Italian: Manica lunga), intended to house the "Savoy Gallery", the only building of the 17th century that has survived to this day.

However, numerous works of art were stolen by French troops in the following years. New work began after 1706.

Victor Amadeus II commissioned a new façade from Philippe Juvarro, but again it was left unfinished. Victor Amadeus lived here as a prisoner after his abdication and his unsuccessful attempt restore the reign under his son Charles Emmanuel III. After his death, the castle was abandoned, in 1863 it became a barracks, and twenty years later a part of the building was occupied by a library. The building was badly damaged during the Second World War and it was in this state until 1979, when the restoration work began. In 1984, the Museum of Modern Art (Italian: Museo di Arte Contemporanea), one of the most famous in Europe, was opened in the castle.

Today, in the restored castle of Rivoli, whose history is rich in fateful fractures and numerous twists and turns, there is a gallery of modern art, most of which is a collection of "arte povero" - poor art. In this case, the exhibited objects are created practically from garbage, because the creators simply have no funds for something else.

Royal Palace in Turin

The Royal Palace of Turin is the main residence of the rulers of the Savoy dynasty in Turin. The Royal Palace in Turin is located on a separate - Royal Square (Piazetta Reale), very close to the main square of the city - Piazza Castello.

It was erected in 1646-1660 at the behest of Maria Christina, widow of Duke Victor Amadeus I.

The famous architects Filippo Juvarra and Guarino Guarini, as well as the lesser-known Benedetto Alfieri, Emilio Stramucci and others took part in its design and construction.

The main staircase of the palace was designed in the 18th century by Filippo Juvarra. The palace chapel is connected by a passage to the Turin Cathedral, where the Shroud of Turin is located. Among other residences of the House of Savoy, the royal palace is under the protection of UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. In 2012, the Turin Art Gallery moved to the classicist wing of the palace complex, in front of which the ruins of the ancient city are visible.

Swiss guard hall

Outside, the palace is austere, but inside it shines with blinding luxury and variegated interiors. Especially for this royal residence, the Holy Shroud Chapel was built, in which the famous Shroud of Turin was kept. The Shroud, by the way, belonged to the House of Savoy from 1453 to 1946.

dining room

Today, the rich palace chambers can be viewed. As well as visiting the Museum of Armeria Reale, which is located in one of the wings of the Royal Palace and boasts an interesting collection of weapons and armor.

royal armoury

In another wing of the palace is the Royal Library, which contains valuable drawings, ancient tomes and manuscripts. Among them stands out the famous self-portrait of Leonardo da Vinci.

Opposite the Royal Palace you can see the famous church of San Lorenzo. It differs in that it has a dome, but no facade - it is replaced by arcades. In the 16th century, two other buildings were located on the site of the current Royal Palace - the Episcopal Palace and the Old Palace, or San Giovanni Palace.

Galleria del Daniel

The project of the new palace was developed in the late 16th - early 17th century by Ascanio Vittozzi. After his death, work on the construction of the Royal Palace was continued under the leadership of Carlo di Castellamonte and his son Amedeo.

Ballroom

Gabinetto cinese

By 1658, the new building was almost ready, and became one of the most important residences of the House of Savoy. In 1668 - 1694, the Holy Shroud Chapel was built in the western wing of the palace, connecting the palace with the Cathedral.

In 1865, the Royal Palace lost its significance - the capital of a united Italy, ruled by representatives of the Savoy dynasty, was moved from Turin, first to Florence, and then to Rome.

Corazzieri Hall

The residence of the king was the Quirinal Palace on the Roman hill of the same name; The Royal Palace in Turin remained only a residence, which the king visited during short visits to his native city. Now there is a museum in the palace.

Three styles coexist perfectly in the architecture of the palace - baroque, rococo and neoclassical. The harmonious baroque façade of the building is over 107 meters long and has an average height of 30 meters.

On the sides of the building there are two pavilions, somewhat rising above the central part of the facade. The symmetry of the palace is interrupted on the left by the spire of the Chapel of the sacred shroud, intended to store the most valuable jewel of the Savoy dynasty. In the interior, the main staircase, designed by Filippo Yuvarra (Scala delle Forbici; 1713), as well as the apartments of the Prince of Piedmont (Appartamenti del Principe di Piemonte) and the Duke of Aosta (Appartamenti del Duca dAosta) on the second floor of the palace are most notable.

The architectural picture of the castle is completed by the statues of the Dioscuri (Castor and Pollux), installed in the 19th century on the square in front of the main entrance to the palace. Behind the palace are the regular Royal Gardens (Giardini Reali), created at the end of the 17th century by the famous French landscape architect Andre Le Nôtre. The gardens are equipped with fountains, many sculptures and vases.

Carlo Merlini, Palazzi e Curiosità Storiche di Torino, Torino, Stamperia Rattero.
Vittorio Viale, Mostra del barocco piemontese, Palazzo Madama, Palazzo reale, Palazzina di Caccia di Stupinigi, 1963, Torino.
Umberto Chierici, Torino: il Palazzo Reale, 1969, Fratelli Pozzo Editore, Torino.
Il Palazzo Reale, collana Le grandi Residenze Sabaude, Umberto Allemandi, Torino, 2007.

http://www.cult-turist.ru/place-interes/one-place/521/?q=497&plint=521

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Turin is the city where kings were born, lived and died. That is why among the attractions there are many royal residences, magnificent castles, museums, art galleries. Here you can see the weapons of the Savoy kings, a church in the form of an ancient Roman pantheon, a building similar to a synagogue, depicted on a coin of two euro cents. And in one of the Catholic churches one of the most famous Christian shrines is kept -.

Turin is located northwest of (Roma) at a distance of 522 km, and is the administrative center of Piedmont (Piemonte). The city is located near the Western Alps (Alpi Occidentali), where Dora Riparia (Dora Riparia) flows into the river Po (Po). On a geographical map, it can be found at the following coordinates: 45°04′ north latitude, 7°42′ east longitude.

The area of ​​the city is 130 km ^ 2, more than 900 thousand people live in it. Thanks to this, Turin is in fourth place in Italy in terms of.

The historical center, whose area exceeds four kilometers square, was surrounded by walls in the old days. They were demolished a long time ago, so it is generally accepted that its territory is limited by Corso San Maurizio, Corso Regina Margherita, Corso Bolzano, Corso San Martino and Corso Vittorio Emanuele II avenues. On the southeast side, the cent rests on the Po River.

Castello Square

Turin's central square is Piazza Castello: it has often become the venue for important events. Thus, during the 2006 Winter Olympics, Olympic champions and medalists were awarded here.

Piazza Castello has a long history, so there are many interesting sights here. Here you can see medieval fortress with the facade of the castle (Palazzo Madama), the Teatro Regio di Torino, the house of the prefecture with a covered gallery. The armory (L'Armeria Reale) houses the largest collection of armor and weapons in Europe. In the middle of the square there are four fountains spouting from the ground.

There are three large monuments in Piazza Castello:

• Equestrian monument to the knight of Italy (Monumento equestre al Cavaliere d'Italia);
• Monument to the envoy of the Sardinian army (la Statua dell'Alfiere dell'Esercito Sardo) - erected in front of Madama's palace in 1859 before the start of the second war of independence;
• Monument to General Duke Emanuele Filiberto (Emanuele Filiberto) - placed behind Madama's palace.

From Piazza Castello, from the side of the Royal Square, Via Palazzo di Citta’ 4 begins. The royal court church of St. Lawrence (Chiesa di San Lorenzo) is located here.

Four main streets of Turin adjoin Piazza Castello. Among them is Via Garibaldi, the length of which is 963 m. Therefore, although it is not the longest pedestrian street in Europe, it firmly holds the second place. Piazza Castello adjoins the Royal Square (Piazzetta Reale) at an angle, where the Royal Palace (Palazzo Reale) is located.

Palace Madama

The central building of the square is Madama's Palace (Palazzo Madama e Casaforte degli Acaja). Its history begins in the 13th century, when a fortress was erected on the site of the old city gates. A hundred years later, the fort was expanded, given a rectangular shape, and the courtyard was equipped. Four corner towers and a covered gallery appeared.

Until the end of the XV century. the castle belonged to the Acaja family (a younger branch of the Savoy dynasty). When the Akayo clan ceased to exist, representatives of the Savoy dynasty used the attraction as a guest house. For example, the King of France Charles VIII (Carlo VIII) stopped here during a campaign against the Kingdom of Naples (regno di Napoli). Also, solemn events were held in the castle, during which the Shroud of Turin was put on display.

The castle owes its name to two eminent inhabitants who lived here at one time. At the beginning of the 17th century Maria Cristina di Borbone-Francia settled here, by whose order the castle was reconstructed. Sixty years later, Maria Giovanna Battista di Savoia-Nemours, another influential woman of Turin, settled here.

In the XVII century. some parts of the fort have been dismantled or hidden, including the old drawbridge. Today the castle looks unusual. On one side, there is a monument in front of it, fountains are broken, benches are installed. There are also columns, a balustrade with statues and flowerpots. On the other side of the palace, two round dark brown towers on the sides of the building remind of the original purpose of the castle, at the top of which loopholes are visible. Along the entire height of the towers and the facade, small holes are visible where swallows nest (the townspeople called the house “the shelter of swallows”).

After the castle passed to the city, an astronomical observatory and an art gallery were located here. IN different time the house was the seat of government, court, parliament. Now there is a museum of ancient art.

Royal Theater

The Royal Theater (Teatro Regio di Torino), although considered one of the oldest opera houses in the country, actually has about a century: the old building was destroyed by fire in 1936, and it took forty years to reconstruct it. Nevertheless, Turintians are proud of the theater and call it the Royal.

The construction of the first building on Piazza Castello began in 1738 by order of Duke Carlo Emanuele III of Savoy (Carlo Emanuele III di Savoia). The theater was built in record time: the opening took place two years later. It was a magnificent building with 2,500 seats, which were located on five tiers. Teatro Regio was popular, and two opera seria (opera seria) were created by the opening of each season.

In 1792, the Royal Theater was closed and opened six years later, when the city was occupied by the troops of Napoleon Bonaparte (Napoleone Buonaparte). The repertoire was adapted to the tastes of the French public, and Bonaparte visited the theater three times.

In 1870 the Teatro Regio became a municipal one. Thirty-five years later, it underwent a serious reconstruction: the fourth and fifth tiers disappeared, the amphitheater expanded. When did the first World War, the opera house was closed and opened after its completion - in 1919. The theater burned down almost completely in 1936: only the facade remained.

The opening of the new building took place in 1973. The eighteenth-century façade was preserved, while inner part building meets the needs of the modern viewer. The hall for spectators acquired the shape of an ellipse, and it is designed for 1750 seats.

The Royal Armory (L'Armeria Reale) has one of the richest collections of ancient weapons and armor. The arsenal is located on Castello Square between the prefecture and the Royal Palace located on the neighboring square (it is part of it, so the ticket to visit the castle includes a visit to the Armory).

The idea to create an arsenal came from the King of Sardinia, Carlo Alberto (Carlo Alberto di Savoia), and in 1837 the opening took place. Among the exhibits of the museum are not only the armor and weapons of medieval knights and later times, but also the means for defense and attack that people of the Stone Age used.

It houses weapons that belonged to the kings of Savoy. Among them is the relic of the royal house - the sword of San Maurizio. Of interest will be medals, coins, seals and precious items from the collection of Carlo Albert of Savoy. They were placed in a special hall, having previously developed neo-Greek-style furniture.

palaces

Since Turin is a city in which representatives of the ruling Savoy dynasty (Casa Savoia) lived for a long time, there are many palaces here. Chief among them is the Royal Palace, located on the square of the same name near Piazza Castello. But there are many other castles here where kings lived. Tourists should definitely visit them.

Royal Palace

The Royal Palace (Palazzo Reale) is located on Piazzetta Reale. It is separated from Castello Square by a lattice wall and two bronze horsemen, passing between which, the traveler finds himself in front of the palace. For two hundred years, this attraction was the main residence of the Savoy dynasty (Casa Savoia).

The modern building was built in the second half at the end of the 16th century. on the site of the Bishop's Palace and the Old Castle. His first mistress was Maria Cristina Bourbon French (Maria Cristina di Borbone-Francia). When the capital of a united Italy was moved from Turin to (Firenze) in 1865, then to Rome, the castle lost its significance, and the kings visited him only occasionally.

In the architecture of Palazzo Reale, the masters managed to successfully combine three different styles - rococo, baroque and neoclassical. The length of the facade of the palace is 170 meters, on its right and left sides there are two higher pavilions. One of them houses the Royal Library (Biblioteca Reale di Torino). Here are collected old manuscripts and even have a self-portrait (Leonardo da Vinci).

In front of the main entrance of the castle there are statues of the heroes of Greek myths Pollux and Castor. Behind the palace are the Royal Gardens (Giardini Reali). They are decorated with fountains and sculptures.

If outside the facade is decorated strictly, inside - luxurious rooms. Here are paintings, antiques, tapestries, jewelry, in the niches of a spacious hall - statues of representatives of the Savoy dynasty. Everywhere - dazzling gold and stucco. The main staircase of the Scala delle Forbici, the Throne Room, the Blue Audience Hall, the private chambers of the kings attract attention. In total, about thirty rooms are open to visitors.

Valentine's Castle (Castello del Valentino) is located on viale Pier Andrea Mattioli, 39 on the banks of the Po River. The first memory of the palace dates back to the 13th century. It was a well-fortified structure, designed to protect against enemy attacks. The attraction owes its name to the relics of St. Valentine, the patron saint of lovers, which were kept in the church of St. Vitus located near the palace (not preserved).

The modern look of Castello del Valentino is due to Maria Christina of Bourbon of France, by whose order the building was remade in the French manner. Therefore, the attraction looks unusual: from the side of the river, the house resembles a fortress thanks to the preserved corner towers that rise above the facade. In front is a beautiful, graceful palace, the courtyard of which is paved with marble. On the facade is the coat of arms of the Savoy family.

After the death of Maria Christina, the house began to fall into disrepair. When the French captured the city, it was sacked. Then barracks were built here, then an engineering school. In the twentieth century, the castle was restored, and now it houses the Faculty of Architecture of the Polytechnic University of Turin (Politecnico di Torino).

Tourists can get inside only on Saturday morning, having previously agreed on a visit. If you can’t visit the palace at this time, you can take a walk in the park and admire the facade of the attraction.

The Queen's Villa (Villa della Regina) is located on Strada Santa Margherita, 79. The palace, towering on Turin Hill, is surrounded by a magnificent garden with terraces, fountains, grottoes.

A villa appeared at the beginning of the 17th century. Commissioned by Prince Cardinal Maurice of Savoy. After his death, she passed from hand to hand, until in 1692 the niece of the French king Anne Marie d'Orléans, wife of Victor Amadeus II (Victor Amadeus) II, Duke of Savoy, turned out to be the mistress of the residence. When her husband became king, the villa was named Villa della Regina.

The new status was positively reflected in the appearance of the palace: the decor was updated, the garden changed its layout a little. The eldest daughter, Anne-Marie, gave the villa the features of Versailles.

After the Savoyard court was moved to Rome (end of the 19th century), Villa della Regina ceased to be a royal residence and for a long time was in disrepair. During the Second World War, it was badly damaged by bombing. At the end of XX century. The villa has been restored and opened to visitors. Here you can see frescoes and paintings by famous masters, Chinese chests of drawers made of gilded wood. There is a pavilion in the garden where members of the intellectual club founded by Maurice of Savoy met.

Three hundred meters from the Royal Palace is the Palazzo Carignano (Palazzo Carignano). The construction of the landmark began at the end of the 17th century. The project was designed by Guarino Guarini for one of the branches of the Savoy dynasty, the Carignano family.

The design of the castle is considered one of the most daring decisions of the Baroque era. A good example of this is the curved main staircase and the double dome above the main hall. The chambers of the castle are decorated with frescoes by Stefano Legnani (Stefano Maria Legnani).

The house has two facades. The older one is made of red brick. It is characterized by a wavy shape, and it leaves on Piazza Carignano. Under the windows of the first floor you can see a frieze depicting the Iroquois. It was made as a sign of the victory of the local regiment over this tribe. Another, more traditional one, overlooks Piazza Carlo Alberto. It appeared much later, when the parliament of united Italy, which was sitting here, decided that the palace should be expanded. This was done in the 60s. XIX Art.

In this house in 1820, the first king of united Italy, Victor Emmanuel II (Vittorio Emanuele II), was born. It now houses the National Museum of the Risorgimento.(as the national liberation struggle for the liberation of Italy is called).

Churches

Turin is a city where kings lived for a long time. That is why the churches here are special. Among them there is a temple where it is stored, as well as a church where kings prayed and praised God. Not far from the city is the basilica, where the representatives of the ruling dynasty found their last refuge. The temple, built in the neo-Gothic style, as well as the church, which was based on the Greek pantheon, will also be interesting. Twin churches will also attract the attention of a curious tourist.

In the basilica (Duomo di San Giovanni) is one of the most significant shrines of Christianity - the Shroud of Turin (indone di Torino). In it, according to one theory, the body of Christ was wrapped after death on Golgotha.

The relic is kept in a refractory container, inside which a special temperature is maintained. Tourists can see the shrine once every 25 years (the last time it was exhibited in 2010) for forty days. All the rest of the time, a copy of the shroud is presented to the eyes of pilgrims and the curious.

Duomo di San Giovanni is located on Piazza San Giovanni, just behind the Royal Palace. It was built at the end of the 15th century. by order of Cardinal Domenico della Rovere. The facade was made of white Carrara marble, with chapels placed on the sides. Two hundred years later, the Chapel of the Holy Shroud was added to the temple. At the end of XX century. it was badly damaged by fire, and now restoration work is underway here (the shroud was not damaged).

The facade of the Basilica of St. Lawrence (Chiesa di San Lorenzo) is not much different from the nearby houses. The fact that this is a temple is indicated only by the dome at the top of the building and some details on the walls. But an extraordinary beauty is hidden inside: in terms of decoration, this is one of the richest temples in Turin. After all, there used to be a royal chapel of the Savoy rulers here, and the Shroud of Turin was kept for some time when it was brought from France.

The temple is located on the corner of Piazza Castello and Piazza Royale, or rather, on Via Palazzo di Citta ’, 4. The modest facade of the church was given for a reason: the Savoyard rulers, who ordered the construction of the basilica in the 17th century. believed that nothing should distract the eye from the nearby Royal Palace and Palazzo Madama. But from the inside, the basilica was decorated in a royal way.

The church itself is small, made on the principle of an octahedron, luxuriously decorated in the style (barocco), and the dome with a lantern emitting light seems to soar in the air. The main altar of the temple, decorated with geometric figures, precious stones, twisted columns, and gilded wooden lattices, is interesting. The Holy Staircase leads to it, the central part of which is allowed to climb only on your knees (twelve steps), while on the sides they climb in the usual way. The organ of the temple is placed in a case made of gilded wood.

The Temple of the Great Mother of God (Chiesa della Gran Madre di Dio) is located on Gran Madre di Dio Square, near the banks of the Po River, near the hills. The construction of the attraction was timed to coincide with the victory over Bonaparte and the return to the throne of Victor Emmanuel I (Vittorio Emanuele I), King of Savoy. The basilica was opened in 1831 in the presence of King Carlo Alberto (Carlo Alberto di Savoia).

Outwardly, the temple resembles, to which a huge staircase leads. At its foot is a marble statue of Victor Emmanuel I. On the right and left sides of the stairs are statues depicting Faith and Religion. Niches with statues of Saints Mark and Barromeo are provided in the facade near the portal. On the pediment there is a bas-relief where the Mother of God with the Child stands.

Due to the peculiarities of the architectural form, the bell tower near the church was not provided at first. It was built in 1830 a little to the side, near Via Bonsignore.

Although (Basilica di Superga) is located ten kilometers from Turin, every tourist who visits the city should see it. The Savoy kings found their last refuge here, as well as an excellent view of the city, the Po River, the Alps.

They built a church on a hill at the beginning of the 18th century. According to legend, Victor Amadeus II (Vittorio Amedeo II) climbed to the top of the hill to assess the position of the enemy troops occupying Turin. At the same time, he swore to the Mother of God that, if successful, he would build a church here, and he fulfilled the promise. When Victor Amadeus II died, he was buried in this church. Since then, it has become a burial place for representatives of the Savoyard dynasty.

In the middle of the last century, a tragedy happened here. The pilot of the plane, in which the local football team was flying, lost his orientation and crashed into the fence of the temple ... no one survived. A memorial dedicated to the fallen football players has now been erected at the crash site.

The church is located on Strada Basilica di Superga, 73. From the central square of the city it can be reached on foot in two hours. If there is no time for long walks, you can take a taxi (the trip will cost 20 euros) or take the funicular that leaves from Sassi station.

Piazza San Carlo is dominated by the twin churches (Le Chiese Gemelle), made in the Baroque style. They are separated from each other by a narrow street.

If you face them, on the left will be the Church of St. Christina (Chiesa di Santa Cristina). In 1640, Mary ordered it to be built by Christina of France in memory of her dead eldest son. But a year later, the architect died, so the construction was delayed: the facade appeared seventy years later.

On the right is the Church of San Carlo Borromeo (Chiesa di San Carlo Borromeo). They named it in honor of the saint who came to the city to pray to the Holy Shroud. It was erected earlier, by order of Charles Emmanuel I the Great (Carlo Emanuele I di Savoi) in 1619. The modern appearance of the facade acquired in the nineteenth century.

The Basilica of the Most Holy Annunciation (Chiesa della Santissima Annunziata) is located on Via Po, 45 (the street starts from Piazza Castello and leads to the river).

The first building was erected in the XVII century. The temple had a very simple structure, only one nave was provided. Then it was expanded, the choir was enlarged, two aisles were added. In the eighteenth century, Bernardo Vittone installed an altar and a wooden processional platform appeared.

The facade of the temple was completed in 1776, and a hundred years later an arcade was added to it, thanks to which the temple acquired a solemn look.

IN late XIX Art. the brothers to whom the temple belonged began to experience serious difficulties with money, which negatively affected the church: it began to collapse. Therefore, in 1913 the temple was demolished, and six years later they began to build a new building, taking the Roman baroque as a basis. Construction was completed in 1934, and now many believe that the Church of the Most Holy Annunciation is one of the most beautiful churches in the city.

The Church of St. Rita (Chiesa S. Rita da Cascia) was built in the neo-Gothic style at the beginning of the 20th century. Therefore, its appearance is strikingly different from other temples of the city, more reminiscent of the churches of Germany. The basilica is located on Via Vernazza, 38, away from the historical center of the city, not far from the Olympic stadium.

Turin skyscrapers

Turin is a city where the buildings are low, and high-rise buildings have begun to appear recently, mainly on the outskirts of the city. But some of them were built in the historical part of the city, which attracts the attention of citizens and guests of the city. Among them are Turin's first high-rise building, the Mole Antonelliana Tower, built at the end of the nineteenth century, as well as a skyscraper called "Mussolini's Finger", which the dictator ordered to build before the Second World War.

The Mole Antonelliana tower is a symbol of Turin: it is even depicted on the two euro cent coin. The attraction is located on Via Montebello, 20, and is visible from many parts of the city.

The construction of the tower began in 1863 by order of the Jewish community, which decided to build a prayer house with a school in the city. Construction was entrusted to Alessandro Antonelli (Alessandro Antonelli). He made a number of changes to the project, due to which the height of the house increased significantly: in the final version it was 167.5 m. This led to higher construction costs and longer construction periods. This did not suit the Jewish diaspora, and they refused to build the building. Therefore, the construction was frozen for several years.

The city then bought the building from the Jewish community, offering them another site. They decided to dedicate the giant tower of power to the first king of united Italy, Victor Emmanuel II. Construction was resumed, and Antonelli was again called to lead. Unfortunately, he did not live one year before the completion of construction, dying at the age of ninety.

The opening of Mole Antonelliana took place in 1889. It turned out to be a tall building, square at the base, over which a dome towered. A small room with columns was arranged above it - Tempietto, which offers a magnificent view of Turin (you can get here by elevator).

In 1953, a strong wind toppled the 47-meter dome of the tower, but eight years later the building took on its original form. But this time, the architects decided to make the inside of the dome out of steel.

First, the Risorgimento Museum was placed here. It currently houses the National Film Museum.

On Piazza Castello, the attention of tourists is attracted by the nearby first Turin skyscraper, the Littoria Tower (Torre Littoria), nicknamed "Mussolini's Finger" (il dito di Mussolini). This 19 storey building is located on Via Giovanni Battista Viotti. Its height is 87 m, and with the spire - 109 m.

The name of the skyscraper was given for a reason: it was ordered to be built to be used as the headquarters of the fascist party. Construction began in 1933, and the building was built in record time: a year. The skyscraper was built with the money of the Reale Mutua Assicurazioni company, which still owns it (now there are offices and apartments).

It is said that Mussolini deliberately decided to build the Torre Littoria between the old palaces in order to counter the new coming of the departed monarchy. Nothing good came of it: tolerable in itself, surrounded by castles, the skyscraper does not look at all and, according to many, spoils the view of the historic city center.

In 2015, a landmark appeared in Turin, which is called the new symbol of the city. This is the skyscraper Intesa Sanpaolo, located on Corso Inghilterra, 3.

This 35-storey building is a combination of glass, steel and green oases, and is made in the style of eco-building. It provides for geothermal energy supply (i.e. derived from the natural heat of the Earth), and a special facade cladding provides good ventilation on a hot summer day and thermal insulation in winter.

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Residents and guests of the city can get to some floors on certain days. Of particular interest will be the last tier, which is located at a height of 166 meters above the ground. The walls here are made of impenetrable glass, and therefore the view of the city is amazing. There is also a restaurant and cafe.

Museums

To save time and money, tourists can use the Turin Tourist Card (Torino Card). It allows you to visit many of the city's attractions for free. And these are museums, fortresses, palaces, which are located both in Turin and near it. A list of museums eligible for free admission to the Torino Card can be obtained at the time of purchase.

The card is activated after the first use. Depending on the type, the Torino Card is valid for two, three, five or seven days. Each museum can only be entered once with a single ticket. At the same time, there is no need to stand in line for tickets: it is enough to present the card at the entrance. Since the name of the owner is indicated on the plastic card, it is necessary to carry documents with you: controllers sometimes check if another person has used the ticket.

Another plus of the Torino Card is that its owners receive discounts when ordering excursions, buying theater tickets, concerts, and festivals. There are also benefits for renting cars, boats, bicycles, etc.

Gallery Sabauda (Galleria Sabauda) is located on two floors of the new wing of the Royal Palace, which is located on Via XX Settembre, 86. It is a collection of paintings by the rulers of the Savoy dynasty, which they presented to the Kingdom of Sardinia in 1860.

The collection was founded by Charles Emmanuel Charles III (Italian: Carlo Emanuele III di Savoia) after he acquired paintings by his late cousin, Prince Eugen of Savoy (Eugenio di Savoia-Carignano). When (Genova) joined, the collection increased with paintings from the Genoese Doge's Palace.

In 1832, the collection was moved to Madame's Palace and opened to the public. But when the senate began to sit in the building, in 1885 the assembly moved to the former building of the Academy of Sciences. Now the collection is in the new wing of Palazzo Reale.

Here you can see paintings by masters of Piedmont, Flemish, Dutch painting. Among them are paintings by Van Dyck (Antoon van Dyck), Rembrandt (Rembrandt van Rijn), Rubens (Rubens). There are also masterpieces of Italian painters - (Sandro Botticelli), Tintoretto (Tintoretto), Cherano (Cerano), etc. If desired, tourists can use an audio guide that will make the tour more interesting.

(Museo delle Antichità Egizie) is the first ever museum dedicated to Ancient Egypt. It is located on Via Academia delle Scienze, 6.

The museum was based on the collection of the King of Sardinia Charles Emmanuel III, which he ordered to collect after he saw an Egyptian tablet from the temple of the goddess Isis. The artifact interested the ruler so much that he sent archaeologist Vitaliano Donati to Egypt in search of similar relics. As a result, the king's collection was replenished with 300 exhibits.

For a long time, the exhibits were not exhibited to the public, so the museum was opened much later, when the King of Sardinia, Charles Fellix, acquired the Egyptian collection of Barnardino Drovetti in 1824. This diplomat lived in Egypt for many years, representing the interests of Napoleon, and bought up Egyptian artifacts. Since the theme of Egypt was popular in those days, the museum's collection grew rapidly.

Among the exhibits of the museum are combs, jewelry, household items from the tomb of Nefertiti. The collection even has bread, which, although it looks like a lump of clay, has survived to this day. The attention is drawn to the Egyptian book of the dead, deployed on the entire wall, as well as the geographical map of the world applied to the papyrus. A scroll listing all the rulers of Egypt, both historical and mythical characters, will also be interesting. In one of the halls there are statues of pharaohs, goddesses Isis, Sekhmet. Mummies will also be interesting, as well as the tools that ancient people used for mummification.

(Museo dell'Automobile) is located at Corso Unita' d'Italia 40. It was opened in 1960 in a spacious three-story building on the embankment of the Po River.

The museum's collection includes more than two hundred types of transport, several dozen engines. Among the exhibits is a prototype of a car that was created according to drawings, models of racing cars of the early 20th century, a car driven by Michael Schumacher. The inspection is accompanied by newsreel footage that tells about the era to which the car belongs.

A room with furniture, where everything is made from car parts, will not leave indifferent even women. In the museum you can see documentaries dedicated to cars, talking about the importance of seat belts, lessons on crash tests.

A medieval village and fortress (Borgo e Rocca Medioevale) was built in Valentine's Park for the Italian Exhibition in 1884. Architects on the banks of the Po River recreated the town of the 15th century.

The exposition is a village surrounded by walls and fortifications, inside of which there are churches, palaces, fountains, houses, craftsmen's workshops. There is also a medieval square and a street. The fortress contains prisons, barracks, a kitchen, canteens for servants and nobles, and much more. You can get to the village through the door of the tower on the drawbridge.

When the exhibition ended, the exposition was supposed to be demolished. But the town became so popular among the townspeople and visitors that it was decided to keep the complex. In 1942 a museum was opened here.

Museo Pietro Micca

Dungeon lovers can visit the Pietro Micca Museum in Turin, which is located on via Guicciardini, 7a. It was created in 1961 in memory of the miner Pietro Micca, who died in 1706, blowing up the underground galleries of the city, which were penetrated by the French besieging Turin.

You need to go to the dungeons only with a guide who will tell you about the events of those years: a simple inspection of the exhibits will not provide much information. In addition, the transitions here are confusing, so you can get lost.

city ​​walls

Medieval walls and gates in Turin have hardly survived. Only the Palace Gate (known as the Porte Palatine) in Piazza Cesare Augusto could escape this fate. They appeared in the 1st century. n. e., and was the main gate of the city (Porta Principalis).

Only a wall has survived from Roman times, along the edges of which there are two polygonal towers. Their construction dates back to the XIII-XIV centuries. At the bottom of the wall there are four through arches: carts passed through the central ones, people passed through the outer ones. At the top of the wall now are windows, previously there were covered balconies where sentinels were located.

In the XVIII century. Porte Palatine, like other walls of the city, was supposed to be demolished. But architect Antonio Bertola persuaded the authorities to reverse the decision. That is why the gate located in the northern part of the historical center is the only preserved entrance to medieval Turin.

university

The University of Turin (Università degli Studi di Torino) was founded in 1404 at the behest of the rulers of the Savoy dynasty. It is one of the largest educational institutions in Italy. The main building is located on Via Giuseppe Verdi, 8.

During the time of Napoleon, the University of Turin was the second most important. When Rome became the capital of a united Italy, some of the professors left the school. However, now the university is the fifth most prestigious in Italy, consists of 12 faculties. Among the famous graduates of the institution are the writer Umberto Eco, as well as Nobel Prize winners in medicine Salvador Luria, Renato Dulbecco, Rita Levi-Montalcini.

parks

Turin is a city with a lot of parks, botanical gardens, squares where visitors and guests of the city can relax in nature. The most famous of them are Valentine's Park, where you can see the castle and visit the medieval village, as well as Perelina Park, the largest park in the city.

Valentina Park (Parco del Valentino) is located between the bridges Ponte Umberto Biancamano and Ponte principessa Isabella along the banks of the river Po.

The main entrance is on Corso Massimo D'Azeglio. Presumably, the park was named after St. Valentine, who married lovers contrary to the order of the ruler. His relics are kept in the nearby temple of San Vito.

Parco del Valentino appeared in Turin in 1630 near the palace of the same name. In the nineteenth century, it underwent major changes and acquired a romantic style. Alleys, groves were streamlined, a lake appeared, which in cold weather transforms into a skating rink. In 1898, the fountain "12 months" was installed here. It is a large pond, decorated in the Rococo style, along the edges of which there are twelve statues, which symbolize the months of the year.

Previously, international exhibitions were often held in Parco del Valentino, after one of which a medieval village and a fortress (Borgo e Rocca Medioevale) remained here. Then a flower alley, an alpine hill, a rose garden appeared in the park.

In the park, to the left of Valentine's Castle, is the University Botanical Garden (Orto Botanico dell'Università di Torino). Many valuable flowers and trees grow here, and there is also a scientific library. In it you can see a herbarium, where 700 thousand plant species are collected, as well as paintings by masters of the 18th-19th centuries. depicting flora.

Pelerina Park (Parco della Pellerina) is the largest park in the city: its area is 83.7 hectares. It is located far from the center, on the western outskirts. The river Dora Riparia flows through the park, the course of which has been changed within the park to give it the desired shape.

The park's official name is Parco Carrara, named after Mario Carrara, a university professor who refused to take an oath to the Nazis. But the name did not take root: the people of Turin stubbornly call him Pelerina. That was the name of the nearby cheese factory.

The park began to be equipped in the 1930s. the last century. During the war, work was suspended, and continued after it ended.

The park acquired its present form in the 1980s. There is a swimming pool, tennis courts, football fields, roller skating and bicycle paths. The attention of visitors is attracted by two artificial lakes, where swans, ducks, coots live.

Europa Park

Those wishing to wander through the Turin hills can relax in the Europa Park (Parco Europa), the main entrance to which is located on Piazza Freguglia. This is a very beautiful, well-groomed place, which offers a magnificent view of the city. The botanical garden will also be interesting, where many interesting plants grow. Previously, there was a cable car in the park, but in the last century it was damaged, and it was decided not to restore it.

How to get there

Sixteen kilometers from the city, near the commune of Caselle Torinese, Turin International Airport "Caselle" is located. Every day it sends and receives about 400 flights to 33 destinations, of which 18 are international. There is no direct flight from Moscow, you need to get there by transfers, for example, through Prague.

You can get from the airport to the city by bus, by train or by train (the Dora railway station is located nearby). The journey takes about twenty minutes.

Turin's main train station, Torino Porta Nuova, is located in the southern part of the city center, on Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, 58. It is very convenient for tourists who come here for a day of sightseeing. The station receives trains from many regions of Italy, as well as from neighboring countries.

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Turin Central Bus Station is located near the main station. Buses come here from all over Italy, neighboring and distant countries (Poland, Ukraine, Czech Republic).

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Royal Museum of Turin - Photo and video.

Sights of the city Royal Palace of Turin

In the heart of the city on Piazza Castello behind the iron fence, meets us Royal Palace in Turin built in the 17th century, around 1660. Since the palace was to become the official residence Savoyard dynasty it was built by the best craftsmen of that time. The palace survived many different historical periods, including looting by the Napoleonic armies and its closure under seal in 1946 after the fall of the monarchy. Its first "owner" was Carlo Emanuele I and the palace remained residence of monarchs until 1865 before the transfer of the capital Italy from Turin to Florence. Then the palace became available to visitors since those times, but since 2007 The palace is open to visitors as one of the most important. The halls of the palace beckon with their crystal chandeliers, mirrors, mosaic floors, carved and decorated coffered ceilings, luxurious furniture and brilliant decor. Must-sees are Queen's Throne Room, Dining room with fumoire (smoking area) and Daniel Gallery with portraits on display Savoy family.

The Ballroom, supported by 20 columns, accommodated about 2,000 visitors. From this hall, the passage to the Scissor Stairs Scala delle Forbic i, pictorial creation. Library Biblioteca Reale located in the right wing in the restored rooms in the neoclassical style was installed in 1832 Carl Alberto. More than 180 thousand volumes, 4300 books of manuscripts, parchments, 2000 drawings.
The basement of the palace is open to visitors royal and giant "cantinoni" cellars. This is one of the most interesting parts for the female half of humanity. But the male half will certainly be interested Armeria Reale opened in 1837 Carlo Alberto and created from exhibits of different origins. The entrance to the chamber is under the arches of the square.

First Sunday of the month entry Royal Palace in Turin free.

Well, let's add that in the New Sleeve of Manica Nuova di Palazzo Reale there is an art gallery La Nuova. Our good advice to you is not to miss it!
Translation of part of the text from Italian by Adriana Cernei for News Events Turin

On the first floor Royal Palace in Turin your eyes will open a salon representing the royal apartments, including the Throne Room, Daniel, royal dining room and a grand ballroom. On the second floor there are thirty rooms, among which are the "Wedding Rooms", which later became the prince's apartments. Umberto of Piedmont. In addition, it is possible to visit royal cuisine in the east wing of the building which was recently reconstructed. royal cuisine connected by a corridor to the Madama Felicita apartment on the ground floor, where you can admire the collection of porcelain and glass, the original table setting has been preserved.

Virtual tour of the Palazzo Reale in Turin.

Benefit from a guide in Turin from News Events Turin

Palazzo Reale - The Royal Palace of Turin, the historical residence of the Savoy dynasty. It was built in the 16th century and later, in the 17th century, modernized by order of Princess Cristina Maria with the participation of the famous Baroque architect Filippo Juvarra. The palace complex also includes the Palazzo Chiablese and a chapel that houses the famous Shroud of Turin. In 1946, the Palazzo Reale became the property of the state, and was turned into a museum. In 1997, the building was included in the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List along with other 13 residences of the Savoy dynasty.

In 1645, Princess Cristina Maria commissioned the architect Filippo Juvarra to build the palace, which she wanted to turn into a new royal residence. For this, a place was chosen on which the Bishop's Palace already stood, erected in the middle of the 16th century during the reign of Duke Emmanuel Filiberto. The building was located in an open sunny place, moreover, it was not far from other buildings in which the courtyard was going. From the windows of the Bishop's Palace, the duke could see both entrances to Turin - the gates of Porta Palatina and Porta Pretoria. Opposite the palace stood the Palazzo Vecchio and the Palazzo di San Giovanni, sometimes disparagingly called Pasta con Tonino ("Tuna Pasta") because of their architecture, which were later demolished to build the Palazzo Ducale.

In general, the Bishop's Palace was a seat of power and over time was greatly expanded in size in order to accommodate the growing ducal collection of art, hunting trophies, furniture and marble. Emmanuel Filiberto died in 1580, and the palace passed to his son, Charles Emmanuel. In honor of the wedding of his daughters, Margaret and Isabella, in 1608 a portico was added to the building, topped with an open gallery. And in 1630, Victor Amadeus I, who married the French princess Christina Maria, became the duke's heir. It was she who set the tone for the royal court during the reign of her husband. On her initiative, the court moved from the Palazzo Ducale in Turin to the Castello del Valentino, which at that time was located on the outskirts of the city. Many of the children of Victor Amadeus I and Christina Maria were born there. In 1637, after the death of the duke, Christina Maria inherited the reign in the interests of her two young sons.

During the reign of Victor Amadeus II, the Daniel Gallery was built in the Palazzo Reale, named after the artist Daniel Sater, who created the luxurious wall paintings. Also, by order of the duke, a number of summer apartments and winter apartments were built, overlooking the garden. In 1668-1694, a small chapel became part of the Palazzo Reale, which today houses the main religious shrine of the Orthodox world, the Shroud of Turin.

In 1946, the Palazzo Reale was declared the property of the Italian Republic and turned into the Museum of the Savoy dynasty. Its rooms are decorated with rich tapestries and collections of Chinese and Japanese vases. The royal armory, kept in the palace, is a collection of weapons, including rare specimens from the 16th and 17th centuries. Another attraction of the palace is the Scala delle Forbici - a staircase designed by Juvarra. And on the gate you can see the image of the golden Medusa - a symbol that protects against the penetration of spies.