Cavour Castle of Santena – home of the Cavour Memorial

History and description

Built in the 18th century on the remains of a previous medieval fortification by order of Camillo Ottavio Benso of Santena, Cavour Castle is a building that blends Baroque and Neoclassical styles, as already evident from its decorated façade. Inside, it houses numerous rooms rich in well‑preserved furnishings and frescoes, such as the Diplomatic Hall, where political meetings were once held, a family chapel—today a national monument as it contains the remains of Camillo Benso di Cavour—and an English‑style park. Over time, the property passed into the hands of the Benso di Cavour family, who renovated it with various changes, before becoming public property and, since 2021, the official Cavour Memorial reopened to the public.

Curiosities

The castle preserves many personal spaces and objects belonging to Count Cavour, including his bedroom, filled with portraits and historically significant furniture. Of particular note are also the Hall of Crowns, which displays crowns donated in homage to Cavour on the 25th anniversary of his death, and the centuries‑old plane trees in the park.

Access

Open daily with scheduled visiting shifts and recommended booking, the site can be visited at the cost of €16, with free entry and specific reductions available.

How to reach it

The building can be reached by car via the A21 motorway towards Santena, by train on the Turin–Asti line to Santena, or by bus on line 45.

A true emblem of national history and memory, the Cavour Castle of Santena—together with its museum—is an unmissable destination for lovers of history and art.

Photo credits: Marco Chemello (WMIT) (Wikipedia) - Licensed by CC 1.0