Chapel of the Dukes of Savoy Castle, Chapel in the Château des Ducs de Savoie, Chambéry, France
The Sainte-Chapelle du Château des Ducs de Savoie is a 15th-century Gothic chapel set within the castle grounds in the center of Chambéry. Its long, tall choir projects over the castle walls and stands out against the roofline, while the facade facing the inner courtyard was redesigned in the 17th century in a Baroque style.
The chapel was built at the request of Amadeus VIII, the first Duke of Savoy, between 1408 and 1430. From 1502 to 1578 it held the Shroud of Turin before it was moved to Turin; a fire in 1532 damaged parts of the interior, including the stained glass windows, which were later replaced.
The chapel takes its name from the fact that it once housed a major relic, which gave it a special standing among the religious buildings of the region. The Tour Yolande, facing the Place du Château, contains a carillon of 70 bells that ring out every day.
The chapel is only accessible on a guided tour, which starts directly at the gate at the top of the steps leading up to it. Booking ahead is recommended, as group sizes are limited.
The interior is covered with trompe-l'oeil paintings carried out in the 19th century by the artist Casimir Vicario, and cleaned in 2012 to restore their original appearance. This technique makes the vault appear much taller than it actually is.
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