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Royal Museums of Turin; 7 unmissable tourist attractions under the same roof!
Not one museum, not two, but a remarkable seven, each distinctive and unmissable!
The Royal Museums of Turin, narrating the long history of the House of Savoy, house objects that depict all the different phases of the Renaissance day...
Starting from the 'Chapel of the Holy Shroud', a place of worship, moving to the 'Royal Library,' a typical venue for cultural gatherings, reaching the 'Royal Gardens,' a place of leisure on beautiful summer days, continuing to the 'Royal Armory' and 'Sabauda Gallery,' repositories of heavy and imposing armors, traversing the 'Museum of Antiquities', and ending in the actual rooms of the 'Royal Palace'; places of the reigning family's daily life.
Let's go discover together these beauties in more detail! 😊
Discover the beauty of Royal Museums of Turin!
Chapel of the Holy Shroud
The Chapel was built to house the most important 'linen cloth' in all of Christian history. The Holy Shroud (the cloth in which the body of Christ was wrapped), owned by the Savoy family since 1453, found a home in the chapel designed by architect Guarino Guarini in 1666.
Guarini was called to Turin by the royal family to create a dome that goes against every classical canon of architecture...
If you stand in the center of the dome and look up, you can see 6 large windows alternating with niches; these were intended to lighten the weight of the dome, which goes against every Western architectural canon, and transfer it onto the supporting structure. The 'revolutionary' dome is composed of six levels of staggered arches converging at the center where a star-shaped sun with a white dove inside is represented, symbolizing the Holy Spirit in Christian belief.
The Holy Shroud is displayed in rare moments in the central case; for most of the time, it is kept in a safe place and closed to the public. Sometimes, a faithful copy will be displayed.
Royal Library
The Royal Library today houses over 200,000 works divided into historical volumes, historical maps, and manuscripts. The vastness of this collection can be attributed to the efforts of Carlo Alberto di Savoia, who around 1830 invested significant funds in his library!
Among the most important works are also 13 manuscripts signed by the most important scientist and inventor of the 15th century, Leonardo da Vinci!
Royal Gardens
The Royal Gardens are a green lung spanning seven hectares within the historic center. Few cities in Italy and around the world have such a vast park in the heart of the historic city! These gardens are bordered by the Royal Museums of Turin on the south and west sides and by the ancient walls of the citadel on the north and east sides. Within this immense area, you will find the Ducal Garden featuring a splashing fountain (1), the Green Bastion, a nineteenth-century installation overlooking the grove (2) with a view of the Mole Antonelliana, and finally the Levant Garden, consisting of a system of avenues bordered by finely manicured grass patches. In this area, you will find iconic statues from the time to adorn the park (3) (4).
It's undoubtedly a place where you can relax, enjoy the sun (weather permitting, of course), and take a rejuvenating walk immersed in this beautiful nature!
Royal Armony
In this palace, you will find one of the most dramatic and extensive collections of ancient armor in the world! You are in the Queen's Gallery, frescoed and decorated between 1738 and 1742 and set up by King Carlo Alberto and inaugurated in 1837. The collection houses armor from both Italian and foreign origins, including an entire area dedicated to Oriental armor. In addition to weapons of war, the gallery also houses approximately 60,000 specimens of ancient coins, royal seals, and medallions.
Under royal ownership since 1837, from 1946 (the year of the birth of the Italian Republic), the museum became state-owned and therefore under the ownership of the Municipality of Turin.
Sabauda Gallery
When I stand in front of a work of art, I immerse myself in the historical period in which it was created, trying to understand what the painter wanted to express during the creation of his work... in short, I let myself be carried away by art. Is it the same for you? Let's say that if you've made it this far, I imagine that art still transmits something to you, and you're undoubtedly in the right place!
The gallery into the Royal Museums of Turin was set up on October 2, 1832, the birthday of King Carlo Alberto. The collection currently features around 800 paintings of dukes and kings of Savoy from the 1500s onwards. The exhibition was moved several times over the centuries, passing from Palazzo Madama, then to the palace of the Nobles in Via Accademia delle Scienze, and finally transferred to the Royal Palace, where you are now, since 2014.
You'll find works by Piedmontese masters of the Renaissance, Italian (like Florence painter Sandro Botticelli) and foreign collections from the 1400s to the 1600s, and finally, an extensive Flemish and Dutch collection that generates a lot of interest.
Museum of Antiquities
The origin of all these artifacts began with the XVI century acquisition campaigns initiated by the then king of the Savoy state, Carlo Emanuele I. The goal was to elevate Turin to a prestigious venue for ancient sculptures and reliefs. These acquisitions are complemented by the remains found around 1720 after excavations in the city center brought to light several monuments of old Turin (Augusta Taurinorum).
In this area of the palace, you can find ancient vases dating back to different historical periods, marble busts (as you can see in the image on the left) of old sovereigns and important figures of the Savoy state, and various archaeological findings ranging from Prehistory to the Middle Ages
Another dive into the past that is worth visiting!
Royal Palace
We have visited almost all the places in this beautiful palace; the last one to see is the luxurious rooms where the family spent their daily lives.
To better understand the history of this immense palace, we must go back about 500 years. It all began when Duke Emanuele Filiberto moved the capital of the Savoy state to Turin in 1563, and in 1584, the architect Ascanio Vitozzi was commissioned to build a new palace to accommodate the Royal Family. Throughout history, the palace was adorned with frescoes, paintings, and weapons, becoming a symbol of power and wealth throughout Europe. From 1864, when the capital of Italy became Florence, the palace lost its functions of power and became one of the most beautiful museums in Italy under the jurisdiction of the Municipality of Turin.
In the Royal Palace, 30 rooms are open to the public, each depicting different phases of the day. We start with the room of Oriental vases (1), then move on to the dining room (2) where more than 20 people were hosted, visiting the throne room (3) first for the king and later for the queen. You will then proceed to the beautiful ballroom (4) where royal events were hosted, while in the conference room (5), you will be lost in admiration for the fantastic wall frescoes and coffered ceiling. The last photo represents the private audience room (6) for more niche and important guests.
The journey through the wonders of this palace is complete. I hope it has been helpful in understanding what this monumental museum truly has to offer. Are you ready now to immerse yourself fully in this atmosphere? Below, you will find the pages dedicated to booking a tour and, not least, to finding a place to eat comfortably near this attraction.
But that's not all... discover other beautiful attractions in the city with me!
- Discover Basilica of Superga
FAQ Section
1. What is the significance of the Royal Museum of Turin?
The Royal Museum showcases Turin’s evolution from Roman roots to its role in Italy’s unification. It’s a treasure trove of history, art, and royal heritage set in an iconic architectural complex.
2. How much time is needed to explore the Royal Museums of Turin fully?
Allocate at least three hours for a comprehensive tour. For an in-depth experience, including gardens and temporary exhibits, plan for half a day.
3. What are the must-see highlights in the Royal Museums of Turin?
Don’t miss the Royal Armoury, Chapel of the Holy Shroud, and Savoy Gallery. The Royal Gardens provide a serene complement to the grandeur indoors.
4. Is the Royal Museums of Turin family-friendly?
Yes, with child-friendly exhibits, interactive workshops, and open spaces like the gardens, it’s an engaging experience for visitors of all ages.
5. What makes the Royal Museums of Turin location special?
Situated in Piazza Castello, the museum offers easy access to other iconic Turin landmarks, making it a cultural hub in the city’s historic center.
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Thank you all!
Ciao, Matteo
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How to get here!
- "Torino Caselle" airport (16 km from the centre of the City). This kind of airport is useful for who take an international close fly.
- "Milano Malpensa" airport (130 km from the centre of the city). This kind of airport is useful for who take an intercontinental fly.
- "Torino Porta Nuova" train station (1 km from the centre of the city). Very useful for those coming from other Italian cities.
- "Torino Porta Susa" train station (2 km from the centre of the city). Very useful for those want to visit or stay in a confort area but not exactly in the central part of the city.
- "Genova" port (160 km from the centre of the city). The nearest place for those who would like to arrive by ferry
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