Castello del Valentino, Historic stately home in Turin, Italy
Castello del Valentino stands beside the River Po and features four corner towers, a marble-paved courtyard, and a design that blends French classical style with Italian architectural elements like covered loggias. The building demonstrates how European architectural influences merged into a single coherent structure.
Emanuele Filiberto acquired the riverside residence called Vallantinum in 1564 as a private retreat. Christine of France later commissioned its transformation around 1620, creating the structure visitors see today with its distinctive blend of architectural styles.
The castle has housed the Architecture Faculty of Turin Polytechnic University for decades, making it an active center for study and teaching today. Restored rooms display 17th-century stuccoes and paintings that visitors encounter while walking through the building.
The castle grounds are open throughout the year for visitors to explore at their own pace or join guided tours of the interior rooms. A botanical garden on the grounds allows you to combine your visit with outdoor walking and observation of plants and landscaping.
During the 2006 Winter Olympics held in Turin, the castle functioned as Casa Italia, serving as the headquarters and meeting place for Italian teams and officials. This Olympic role marked a modern chapter in the building's long history.
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