Royal Crypt of Superga, Royal mausoleum in Turin, Italy

The Royal Crypt of Superga is an underground burial chamber beneath the Basilica of Superga in Turin, containing 62 tombs arranged in a Latin cross pattern. The spaces are adorned with marble decorations and sculptures that exemplify Baroque architectural craftsmanship.

The crypt was commissioned in 1774 by King Vittorio Amedeo III and designed by architect Francesco Martinez, with construction completed in 1778. It became the burial place for several members of the House of Savoy across subsequent generations.

The crypt keeps the burial tradition of the House of Savoy: each deceased sovereign was placed in the central sarcophagus until the next king's death moved him to a side niche. Carlo Alberto still lies at the centre, since his successors were buried in Rome's Pantheon. Four white marble statues by Ignazio and Filippo Collino stand in niches around him, representing Faith, Charity, Clemency and Science.

The crypt is reached from the left exterior flank of the basilica, up a marble staircase and along a wide corridor; the semicircular landing holds Carlo Finelli's Carrara marble Saint Michael, placed there in 1878. The chamber lies directly beneath the basilica floor, so the visit is underground and cool.

The Carrara marble sculpture at the foot of the staircase, placed here in 1878 by Vittorio Emanuele II, is by Carlo Finelli, a pupil of Antonio Canova. It shows the Archangel Michael overcoming an anthropomorphic demon and was previously displayed in the entrance hall of Turin's Royal Armoury, set here as a symbolic guard of the tombs.