The Royal Palace of Venaria Reale: a baroque jewel reborn from the past

In the Heart of Piedmont, a few kilometers from Turin, the majestic Royal Palace of Venaria Reale rises, a Baroque masterpiece that tells centuries of Savoy history. After a long and meticulous restoration, it has returned to shine in all its original splendor. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997, the Palace is today one of the most visited museum and cultural complexes in Italy — a place where art, architecture, and nature merge into an unforgettable experience.

The history of the Royal Palace of Venaria Reale dates back to the mid-17th century, when Duke Carlo Emanuele II of Savoy, eager to create a sumptuous residence dedicated to hunting and leisure, commissioned the project to the court architect Amedeo di Castellamonte. The idea was to create a “Crown of Delights” around Turin — a network of residences reflecting the grandeur and wealth of the Savoy dynasty. The result was an immense complex that included the palace, magnificent gardens, and an adjoining village. Over the centuries, the Reggia underwent numerous modifications and expansions by illustrious architects such as Filippo Juvarra, to whom we owe the sublime Great Gallery and the Chapel of St. Hubert, and Benedetto Alfieri. Each intervention helped shape the Baroque identity of the complex, turning it into a true masterpiece of European architecture, comparable in splendor and scale to the famed Palace of Versailles.

From Decline to Rebirth

After the glorious days of the Savoy court, the Royal Palace of Venaria Reale fell into a long period of decline. Converted into a military barracks in the 19th century, it suffered years of neglect and decay that deeply compromised its structure and beauty. For decades, what had once been a symbol of magnificence lay in ruins — a ghost of its former splendor.

Fortunately, beginning in 1997, one of Europe’s most ambitious and complex restoration projects took shape. This monumental undertaking involved an army of experts, artisans, and restorers, all devoted to reviving every single detail — from the majesty of the frescoes to the delicacy of the stuccoes, from the garden sculptures to the water features. In 2007, after ten years of tireless work, the Royal Palace of Venaria Reale finally reopened its doors to the public, unveiling a spectacular rebirth that left the world breathless.

An Immersive Experience Between Art and Nature

Today, the Royal Palace of Venaria Reale welcomes visitors on a fascinating journey through time and beauty. Its Royal Apartments, rich in furnishings and decorations, offer an authentic glimpse into the courtly life of the Savoy dynasty. The Hall of Diana, designed by Castellamonte, and Juvarra’s imposing Great Gallery are just some of the breathtaking spaces that showcase architectural perfection.

Yet the magic of Venaria extends far beyond its interiors. Its vast gardens, conceived as an integral part of the architectural project, are a masterpiece of landscape design. Here, among bubbling fountains such as the famous “Water Theater of the Stag Fountain”, manicured boxwood hedges, flowered parterres, and contemporary sculptures (like Giuseppe Penone’s “Garden of Fluid Sculptures”), visitors can lose themselves in a path of rare beauty — exploring on foot or aboard the “Freccia di Diana” train.

Beyond the historical rooms, the Reggia is a vibrant cultural hub, regularly hosting internationally renowned art exhibitions, events, concerts, and educational activities — making it a dynamic and ever-evolving destination.

Practical Information

Address: Piazza della Repubblica 4, 10078 Venaria Reale (TO)

Opening Hours (subject to change; please check the official website):

Monday: Closed (except holidays and special openings)

Tuesday–Friday: 9:30 – 17:00 (Piano Nobile and Exhibitions)

Saturday, Sunday and Holidays: 9:30 – 18:30 (Piano Nobile and Exhibitions)

Gardens: Tuesday–Sunday and holidays 9:30 – 17:00 (extended hours in spring/summer, up to 19:30 from April to July)

“Summer Evenings at the Reggia” open until 23:00 on selected Fridays and Saturdays

Tickets (various types; online purchase recommended):

“All-in-One Reggia” Ticket: includes access to the Palace’s Piano Nobile, Gardens, and current exhibitions

Full price: € 25.00

Reduced (ages 6–21) and University students under 26: € 10.00

Family (2 adults + up to 4 children ages 6–16): € 48.00

Children (0–6): Free

Gardens Only:

Full price: € 5.00

Groups: € 4.00

Under 21 and University under 26: € 2.00

Children (0–6): Free

• Discounts are available for visitors with disabilities and their companions; free entry for holders of the Abbonamento Musei and Torino+Piemonte Card

·  Guided Tours and Audioguides: available in multiple languages

·  Accessibility: fully accessible to visitors with disabilities, families with strollers, and pets (leashed in the gardens and carried inside the museum). Wheelchairs and garden scooters available upon reservation

·  Services: Wi-Fi, cafeteria, restaurant, picnic area, cloakroom, bookshop

·  Contacts:

• Phone: +39 011 4992333

• Email: [email protected]

• Website: www.lavenaria.it

Cover photo credit: official website lavenaria.it