Palazzo Madama and Casaforte degli Acaja, Turin, Historic city palace in Piazza Castello, Turin, Italy
Palazzo Madama, also called Casaforte degli Acaja, is a city palace in Turin that combines Roman military structures with a grand Baroque exterior. The building reveals different architectural styles from various periods across its facade and interior spaces.
The building started as a Roman gate in the first century BC and later became a military fortress protecting the city. Over time, it served as the residence of two Savoyard queens and played a role in the kingdom's political life.
The palace houses the Turin City Museum, where visitors walk past medieval and Baroque artworks displayed in rooms with period details. The collections show how artistic styles evolved over several centuries of local history.
The palace sits on Piazza Castello in the city center and is easy to reach on foot with nearby public transport connections. The building has full wheelchair access and the interior layout is straightforward to navigate.
The palace became the first home of the Italian Senate after the kingdom united in the 1800s. It also hosted ceremonies displaying the Holy Shroud of Turin, one of Europe's most famous religious objects, to the public during celebrations.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
