Residences of the Royal House of Savoy, UNESCO World Heritage architectural ensemble in Piedmont, Italy.
The Residences of the Royal House of Savoy comprise fourteen palaces, castles, and hunting lodges scattered across Piedmont, each displaying distinct architectural styles and purposes. Some stand in Turin, others are located in smaller towns or rural areas, and together they form a network of buildings spanning different periods.
After 1562, Duke Emanuel Philibert of Savoy moved the capital to Turin and systematically built a network of palaces and castles that expanded over two centuries. This construction activity transformed Piedmont into an architectural center and shaped the region fundamentally.
The residences carry names reflecting their purposes: hunting lodges like Venaria Reale served as royal retreats for sport, while city palaces like Palazzo Reale functioned as seats of power. This distinction appears in both their architectural design and their role in the daily life of the royal family.
The residences are spread across different towns and countryside, so it makes sense to plan several days and visit those located closer together. Multiple buildings are open to visitors, but each has different opening times, so checking ahead is important.
The Stupinigi Palace has an unusual floor plan with multiple wings radiating from a central point like spokes on a wheel. This radial pattern was an innovative design idea for royal hunting lodges and made it truly singular.
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