Royal palace in turin italy. Royal Palace

Turin (Torino) is the city where kings were born, lived and died. That is why among the attractions there are many royal residences, magnificent castles, museums, art galleries. Here you can see the weapons of the Savoyard kings, a church in the form of an ancient Roman pantheon, a synagogue-like building depicted on a two euro cent coin. And in one of the Catholic churches one of the most famous Christian shrines is kept -.

Turin is located in the northwest of (Roma) at a distance of 522 km, and is the administrative center of Piemonte. The city is located near the Western Alps (Alpi Occidentali), where Dora Riparia flows into the Po river. On a geographic map, it can be found at the following coordinates: 45 ° 04 ′ north latitude, 7 ° 42 ′ east longitude.

The area of ​​the city is 130 km ^ 2, more than 900 thousand people live in it. Thanks to this, Turin is in fourth place in Italy in terms of.

The historic center, which has an area of ​​more than four square kilometers, was surrounded by walls in former times. They were demolished long ago, so it is considered that its territory is limited by the avenues Corso San Maurizio, Corso Regina Margherita, Corso Bolzano, Corso San Martino and Corso Vittorio Emanuele II. From the southeast side, the cent rests against the Po river.

Castello square

The central square of Turin is Piazza Castello: it has become a venue for important events more than once. Thus, during the 2006 Winter Olympics, Olympic champions and prize-winners were awarded here.

Piazza Castello has a long history, so there are many interesting sights here. Here you can see medieval fortress with the facade of the castle (Palazzo Madama), Teatro Regio di Torino, prefecture house with a covered gallery. The Armory (L'Armeria Reale) houses the largest collection of armor and weapons in Europe. In the middle of the square there are four fountains erupting from the ground.

There are three large monuments on Piazza Castello:

• Equestrian monument to the knight of Italy (Monumento equestre al Cavaliere d'Italia);
• Monument to the envoy of the Sardinian army (la Statua dell'Alfiere dell'Esercito Sardo) - erected in front of Madama's palace in 1859 before the start of the second war of independence;
• Monument to General Duke Emanuele Filiberto - erected behind Madama's palace.

Via Palazzo di Citta ’4 starts from Piazza Castello on the Royal Square side. Here is the royal court church of St. Lawrence (Chiesa di San Lorenzo).

Piazza Castello is adjacent to the four main streets of Turin. Among them is Via Garibaldi, which is 963 m long. Therefore, although it is not the longest pedestrian street in Europe, it firmly holds the second place. Piazza Castello is adjacent to the Royal Square (Piazzetta Reale), where the Royal Palace (Palazzo Reale) is located.

Madama Palace

The central building of the square is the Madama Palace (Palazzo Madama e Casaforte degli Acaja). Its history begins in the XIII century, when a fortress was erected on the site of the old city gates. A hundred years later, the fort was expanded, given a rectangular shape, and an inner courtyard was equipped. Four corner towers and a covered gallery appeared.

Until the end of the XV century. the castle belonged to the Acaja family (the younger branch of the Savoy dynasty). When the Akayo family ceased to exist, the Savoyard dynasty used the site as a guest house. For example, the King of France Charles VIII (Carlo VIII) stayed here during the campaign against the Kingdom of Naples (regno di Napoli). Also, in the castle, solemn events were organized, during which the Turin Shroud was exhibited.

The castle owes its name to two eminent inhabitants who lived here at one time. At the beginning of the 17th century. Maria Cristina di Borbone-Francia settled here, on whose orders the castle was reconstructed. Sixty years later, Maria Giovanna Battista di Savoia-Nemours, another influential woman in Turin, settled here.

In the XVII century. some parts of the fort were dismantled or hidden, including the old drawbridge. The castle looks unusual these days. On one side there is a monument in front of it, fountains are broken, benches are installed. There are also columns, a balustrade with statues and flowerpots. On the other side of the palace, two round dark brown towers on the sides of the building are reminiscent of the original purpose of the castle, at the top of which you can see the loopholes. Along the entire height of the towers and the façade, small holes are visible where swallows nest (the townspeople called the house “the swallow shelter”).

After the castle passed to the city, an astronomical observatory and an art gallery were located here. V different time the house was the seat of government, court, parliament. Now there is a museum of ancient art.

Theater Royal

The Royal Theater (Teatro Regio di Torino), although considered one of the oldest opera houses in the country, actually dates back about a century: the old building was destroyed by fire in 1936, and its reconstruction took forty years. However, Turin people are proud of the theater and call it Royal.

The construction of the first building in Piazza Castello began in 1738 by order of Duke Carlo Emanuele III of Savoia. The theater was built in record time: the opening took place two years later. It was a magnificent building with 2,500 seats spread over five tiers. The Teatro Regio was popular, with two opera seria being produced for the opening of each season.

In 1792, the Royal Theater was closed and reopened six years later, when the city was occupied by the troops of Napoleone Buonaparte. The repertoire was adapted to the tastes of the French public, and Bonaparte visited the theater three times.

In 1870 Teatro Regio became municipal. Thirty-five years later, it underwent a major reconstruction: the fourth and fifth tiers disappeared, the amphitheater expanded. When the first one began World War, the opera house was closed and reopened after its completion - in 1919. The theater burned down almost completely in 1936: only the facade remained.

The opening of the new building took place in 1973. The eighteenth century façade has been preserved, while the interior of the building meets the needs of the modern viewer. The auditorium has acquired the shape of an ellipse, and it is designed for 1,750 seats.

The Royal Armory (L'Armeria Reale) has one of the richest collections of antique weapons and armor. The arsenal is located in Piazza Castello between the prefecture and the Royal Palace located in the adjacent square (it is part of it, therefore, a ticket to visit the castle includes a visit to the Armory).

The idea to create an arsenal came from the king of Sardinia, Carlo Alberto di Savoia, and in 1837 the opening took place. Among the exhibits of the museum are not only armor and weapons of medieval knights and later times, but also means for defense and attack, which were used by people of the Stone Age.

It houses weapons that belonged to the kings of Savoy. Among them is a relic of the royal house - the sword of San Maurizio. There will be interesting medals, coins, seals and precious objects from the collection of Carlo Albert of Savoy. They were placed in a special room, having previously developed furniture in the neo-Greek style.

Palaces

Since Turin is a city where for a long time Inhabited by representatives of the ruling dynasty of Savoy (Casa Savoia), there are many palaces. Chief among them is the Royal Palace, located in the eponymous square near Piazza Castello. But there are many other castles here where kings lived. A tourist should definitely visit them.

Royal Palace

The Royal Palace (Palazzo Reale) is located on the Piazzetta Reale. It is separated from the Piazza Castello by a lattice wall and two bronze horsemen, passing between them, the traveler finds himself in front of the palace. For two hundred years, this landmark was the main residence of the Savoy dynasty (Casa Savoia).

The modern building was built in the second half at the end of the 16th century. on the site of the Bishop's Palace and the Old Castle. Its first owner was Maria Cristina di Borbone-Francia. When the capital of the united Italy in 1865 was moved from Turin to (Firenze), then to Rome, the castle lost its significance, and the kings visited it only occasionally.

In the architecture of Palazzo Reale, the masters have successfully combined three different styles - Rococo, Baroque and Neoclassicism. The palace façade is 170 meters long, with two higher pavilions on its right and left sides. One of them houses the Royal Library (Biblioteca Reale di Torino). Here are collected old manuscripts and even a self-portrait (Leonardo da Vinci).

In front of the central entrance of the castle, there are statues of the heroes of Greek myths Pollux and Castor. Behind the palace are the Royal Gardens (Giardini Reali). They are decorated with fountains and sculptures.

If the facade is decorated strictly on the outside, there are luxurious premises on the inside. Here are paintings, antiques, tapestries, jewelry, in the niches of the spacious hall - statues of representatives of the Savoyard dynasty. Everywhere - dazzling gold and stucco molding. Attention is drawn to the main staircase of the Scala delle Forbici, the Throne Room, the Blue Audience Hall, and the private chambers of the kings. In total, about thirty rooms are open to visitors.

Valentine's Castle (Castello del Valentino) is located at viale Pier Andrea Mattioli, 39 on the coast of the Po river. The first memory of the palace dates back to the 13th century. It was a well-fortified structure, designed to protect against enemy raids. The attraction owes its name to the relics of St. Valentine, the patron saint of lovers, which were kept in the St. Vitus Church located near the palace (not preserved).

Castello del Valentino owes its modern appearance to Maria Cristina Bourbon of France, who ordered the building to be redesigned in the French manner. Therefore, the sight looks unusual: from the side of the river, the house resembles a fortress due to the preserved corner towers that tower over the facade. In front is a beautiful, graceful palace, the courtyard of which is paved with marble. On the facade there is the coat of arms of the Savoy family.

After the death of Maria Christina, the house began to decline. When the city was captured by the French, it was plundered. Then the barracks were built here, then - the engineering school. In the twentieth century, the castle was restored, and now it houses the architecture department of the Polytechnic University of Turin (Politecnico di Torino).

Tourists can get inside only on Saturday morning, having previously agreed on a visit. If you cannot visit the palace at this time, you can take a walk in the park and admire the facade of the attraction.

The Queen's Villa (Villa della Regina) is located at Strada Santa Margherita, 79. The palace, towering on the Turin hill, is surrounded by a magnificent garden with terraces, fountains, grottoes.

The villa appeared at the beginning of the XVII century. commissioned by Prince Cardinal Maurice of Savoy. After his death, she passed from hand to hand, until in 1692 the niece of the French king Anne Marie d'Orléans, wife of Victor Amadeus II, Duke of Savoy, became the mistress of the residence. When her husband became king, the villa was named Villa della Regina.

The new status was positively reflected in the appearance of the palace: the decor was updated, the garden slightly changed its layout. The eldest daughter Anne-Marie gave the villa the features of Versailles.

After the Savoyard court was moved to Rome (late 19th century), Villa della Regina ceased to be a royal residence and was abandoned for a long time. During the Second World War, it was badly damaged by bombing. At the end of XX century. the villa was restored and opened to visitors. Here you can see frescoes and paintings by eminent masters, Chinese chests of drawers made of gilded wood. There is a pavilion in the garden where members of the intellectual club, founded by Maurice of Savoy, met.

Three hundred meters from the Royal Palace is the Palazzo Carignano. The construction of the landmark began at the end of the 17th century. The project was developed by Guarino Guarini for one of the branches of the Savoy dynasty, the Carignano family.

The construction of the castle is considered one of the most daring decisions of the Baroque era. A vivid example of this is the curved front staircase and the double dome over the main hall. The chambers of the castle are decorated with frescoes by Stefano Maria Legnani.

The house has two facades. The older one is made of red brick. It is characterized by a wavy shape, and it comes out on the Piazza Carignano. A frieze depicting Iroquois can be seen under the windows on the first floor. It was made as a sign of the victory of the local regiment over this tribe. Another, more traditional, overlooks the Piazza Carlo Alberto. It appeared much later, when the parliament of the united Italy, sitting here, decided that the palace should be expanded. This was done in the 60s. XIX Art.

In this house, in 1820, the first king of a united Italy, Victor Emanuele II (Vittorio Emanuele II), was born. Now posted here National Museum Risorgimento(so called the national liberation struggle for the liberation of Italy).

Churches

Turin is a city where kings lived for a long time. Therefore, the churches are special here. Among them there is a temple where it is kept, as well as a church where kings prayed and praised God. Not far from the city there is a basilica, where representatives of the ruling dynasty found their last refuge. The temple, built in the neo-Gothic style, as well as the church, which was based on the Greek pantheon, will also be interesting. Twin churches will also attract the attention of a curious tourist.

In the basilica (Duomo di San Giovanni) there is one of the most significant shrines of Christianity - the Shroud of Turin (indone di Torino). According to one of the theories, the body of Christ was wrapped in it after death on Calvary.

The relic is kept in a fireproof container, inside which a special temperature is maintained. Tourists can see the shrine once every 25 years (it was last exhibited in 2010) for forty days. The rest of the time, a copy of the shroud is presented to the glances of pilgrims and curious people.

The Duomo di San Giovanni is located on Piazza San Giovanni, just behind the Royal Palace. It was built at the end of the 15th century. by order of Cardinal Domenico della Rovere. The façade was made of white Carrara marble, with chapels on the sides. Two hundred years later, the Chapel of the Holy Shroud was added to the temple. At the end of XX century. it was badly damaged by the fire, and now restoration work is underway here (the shroud was not damaged).

The facade of the Basilica of St. Lawrence (Chiesa di San Lorenzo) is not much different from the neighboring houses. The fact that this is a temple is indicated only by the dome at the top of the building and some details on the walls. But inside there is an extraordinary beauty: in terms of decoration, this is one of the richest temples in Turin. After all, there used to be a royal chapel of the Savoyard rulers here, and also kept the Turin shroud for some time when it was brought from France.

The temple is located on the corner of Piazza Castello and the Royal Square, or rather - on Via Palazzo di Citta ', 4. The modest facade of the church was not given by chance: the Savoyard rulers, who ordered the construction of the basilica in the 17th century. believed that nothing should distract the view from the adjacent Royal Palace and Palazzo Madama. But from the inside, the basilica was decorated like a king.

The church itself is small, made according to the octahedron principle, luxuriously decorated in the (barocco) style, and the dome with a light emitting lantern seems to float in the air. The main altar of the temple is interesting, decorated with geometric figures, precious stones, twisted columns, wooden gilded lattices. The Holy Staircase leads to it, the central part of which is allowed to climb only on the knees (twelve steps), while the sides are climbed in the usual way. The organ of the temple is placed in a case made of gilded wood.

The Church of Our Lady (Chiesa della Gran Madre di Dio) is located in the Gran Madre di Dio square, near the coast of the Po river, near the hills. The construction of the landmark was timed to coincide with the victory over Bonaparte and the return to the throne of Victor Emanuele I, King of Savoy. The basilica was opened in 1831 in the presence of King Carlo Alberto di Savoia.

Outwardly, the temple resembles, to which a huge staircase leads. At its foot stands a marble statue of Victor Emmanuel I. On the right and left sides of the stairs, there are statues depicting Faith and Religion. Niches with statues of Saints Mark and Barromeo are provided in the facade near the portal. There is a bas-relief on the pediment where the Virgin and Child is standing.

Due to the peculiarities of the architectural form, the bell tower near the church was not initially foreseen. It was built in 1830, a little to the side, near Via Bonsignore.

Although (Basilica di Superga) is located ten kilometers from Turin, it is a must see for every tourist who visits the city. Here the Savoyard kings found their last refuge, and also offers an excellent view of the city, the Po river, and the Alps.

They built a church on a hill at the beginning of the XVIII century. According to legend, Victor Amadeo II (Vittorio Amedeo II) climbed to the top of the hill to assess the position of the enemy troops who occupied Turin. At the same time, he swore to the Mother of God that, if successful, he would build a church here, and he fulfilled his promise. When Victor Amadeus II died, he was buried in this church. Since then, it has become the burial place of representatives of the Savoyard dynasty.

In the middle of the last century, a tragedy happened here. The pilot of the plane, in which the local football team was flying, lost his orientation and crashed into the fence of the temple ... no one survived. A memorial dedicated to the fallen footballers has now been erected at the crash site.

There is a church on Strada Basilica di Superga, 73. From the central square of the city you can walk to it in two hours. If you don't have time for long walks, you can take a taxi (the trip will cost 20 euros) or take the funicular that departs from Sassi station.

Piazza San Carlo is dominated by the Baroque twin churches (Le Chiese Gemelle). They are separated from each other by a narrow street.

If you face them, on the left is the Chiesa di Santa Cristina. In 1640, Mary ordered it to be built by Christina of France in memory of her deceased eldest son. But a year later the architect died, so the construction was delayed: the facade appeared seventy years later.

On the right is the Chiesa di San Carlo Borromeo. It was named after the saint who came to the city to pray to the Holy Shroud. It was erected earlier, by order of Carlo Emanuele I di Savoi in 1619. The facade acquired its modern look in the nineteenth century.

The Basilica of the Most Holy Annunciation (Chiesa della Santissima Annunziata) is located on Via Po, 45 (the street starts from Piazza Castello and leads to the river).

The first building was erected in the 17th century. The temple had a very simple structure, only one nave was provided. Then it was expanded, the choir was enlarged, and two side-chapels were added. In the eighteenth century, Bernardo Antonio Vittone installed an altar and a wooden processional platform appeared.

The facade of the temple was completed in 1776, and a hundred years later an arcade was added to it, thanks to which the temple acquired a solemn appearance.

At the end of the XIX century. the brothers to whom the temple belonged began to experience serious financial difficulties, which negatively affected the church: it began to collapse. Therefore, in 1913 the temple was demolished, and six years later they began to erect a new building, taking the Roman Baroque as a basis. Construction was completed in 1934, and now many believe that the Church of the Most Holy Annunciation is one of the the most beautiful temples cities.

Church of St. Rita (Chiesa S. Rita da Cascia) was built in the neo-Gothic style at the beginning of the XX century. Therefore, its appearance is strikingly different from other temples in the city, more reminiscent of the churches in Germany. The basilica is located on Via Vernazza, 38, away from historic center city, near the Olympic stadium.

Turin skyscrapers

Turin is a city with low buildings and high-rise buildings have begun to appear recently, mainly on the outskirts of the city. But some of them were built in the historical part of the city, which attracts the attention of citizens and guests of the city. These include the first high-rise building in Turin, the Mole Antonelliana Tower, built at the end of the nineteenth century, and a skyscraper called Mussolini's Finger, which the dictator ordered to be erected before World War II.

The Mole Antonelliana tower is a symbol of Turin: it is even depicted on a two euro cent coin. The attraction is located at Via Montebello, 20, and is visible from many parts of the city.

The construction of the tower began in 1863 by order of the Jewish community, which decided to build a prayer house with a school in the city. The construction was commissioned by Alessandro Antonelli. He made a number of changes to the project, due to which the height of the house increased significantly: in the final version it was 167.5 m. This led to higher construction costs and longer construction periods. This did not suit the Jewish diaspora, and they refused to build the building. Therefore, the construction was frozen for several years.

Then the city bought the building from the Jewish community, offering them another plot. It was decided to dedicate the giant tower of power to the first king of unified Italy, Victor Emmanuel II. Construction was resumed, and Antonelli was again called to lead. Unfortunately, he did not live one year before the end of construction, dying at the age of ninety.

The opening of the Mole Antonelliana took place in 1889. It turned out to be a tall, square structure at the base, over which a dome towered. Above it was arranged a small room with columns - Tempietto, which offers a magnificent view of Turin (you can get here by elevator).

In 1953, a strong wind knocked down the 47-meter dome of the tower, but after eight years the building took on its original form. But this time the architects decided to make the dome of steel from the inside.

First, the Risorgimento Museum was located here. Currently, it houses the National Museum of Cinematography.

In Piazza Castello, tourists' attention is attracted by the nearby Turin's first skyscraper, the Littoria Tower, nicknamed "Mussolini's Finger" (il dito di Mussolini). This 19-storey building is located on Via Giovanni Battista Viotti. Its height is 87 m, and with a spire - 109 m.

The name of the skyscraper was given for a reason: it was ordered to be built to be used as the headquarters of the fascist party. Construction began in 1933, and the building was completed in record time: in a year. The skyscraper was built with the money of the company Reale Mutua Assicurazioni, which still owns it (now there are offices and apartments).

It is said that Mussolini deliberately decided to build the Torre Littoria between the old palaces in order to oppose the new coming of the bygone monarchy. Nothing good came of this: the skyscraper, which is tolerable in itself, surrounded by castles, does not look at all and, in the opinion of many, spoils the view of the historic city center.

In 2015, a landmark appeared in Turin, which is called the new symbol of the city. This is the Intesa Sanpaolo skyscraper, located at Corso Inghilterra, 3.

This 35-storey building is a fusion of glass, steel and green oases, and is designed in an eco-friendly building style. It provides for geothermal energy supply (i.e., obtained from the natural heat of the Earth), and a special facade cladding provides good ventilation on a hot summer day and thermal insulation in winter.

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Residents and guests of the city can get to some floors on certain days. The last tier, which is 166 meters above the ground, will be especially interesting. The walls here are made of impenetrable glass, and therefore the view of the city is stunning. It also houses a restaurant and cafe.

Museums

To save time and money, the Torino Card will help tourists. It allows you to visit many of the city's attractions for free. And these are museums, fortresses, palaces that are located both in Turin and near it. A list of the museums that the Torino Card gives you free admission to is available at the time of purchase.

The card is activated after the first use. Depending on the type, the validity period of the Torino Card is two, three, five and seven days. Each museum can only be accessed once with a single ticket. This eliminates the need to stand in line for tickets: just show your card at the entrance. Since the owner's surname is indicated on the plastic card, it is necessary to carry documents with you: controllers sometimes check whether another person has used the ticket.

Another plus of the Torino Card is that its holders receive discounts when ordering excursions, buying tickets to the theater, concerts, festivals. There are also benefits for renting cars, boats, bicycles, etc.

The Galleria Sabauda is located on two floors of the new wing of the Royal Palace, which is located at Via XX Settembre, 86. It is a collection of paintings by the rulers of the Savoyard dynasty, which they donated to the Kingdom of Sardinia in 1860.

The collection was founded by Carl Emanuele III di Savoia after he acquired paintings by his late cousin, Prince Eugenio of Savoia (Eugenio di Savoia-Carignano). When (Genova) joined, the collection increased with paintings from the palace of the Doges of Genoa.

In 1832, the collection was transported to the Madama Palace and opened to the public. But when the Senate began to sit in the building, in 1885 the meeting moved to the former building of the Academy of Sciences. The collection is now in the new wing of the Palazzo Reale.

Here you can see paintings by masters of Piedmont, Flemish, Dutch painting. Among them are paintings by Antoon van Dyck, Rembrandt van Rijn, Rubens. There are also masterpieces of Italian painters - (Sandro Botticelli), Tintoretto (Tintoretto), Cerano (Cerano), etc. If desired, tourists can use the audio guide, which will make the excursion more interesting.

(Museo delle Antichità Egizie) is the first ever museum dedicated to Ancient Egypt ... It is located at Via Academia delle Scienze, 6.

The museum is based on the collection of King Charles Emmanuel III of Sardinia, which he ordered to be collected after he saw an Egyptian tablet from the temple of the goddess Isis. The artifact interested the ruler so much that he sent the archaeologist Vitaliano Donati to Egypt in search of similar relics. As a result, the collection of the king was replenished by 300 exhibits.

For a long time, the exhibits were not exhibited to the public, so the museum was opened much later, when the King of Sardinia Carl Fellix acquired the Egyptian collection of Barnardino Drovetti in 1824. This diplomat lived in Egypt for many years, representing the interests of Napoleon, and bought up Egyptian artifacts. As the topic of Egypt was popular in those days, the museum's collection grew rapidly.

Among the exhibits of the museum are combs, jewelry, household items from the tomb of Nefertiti. There is even bread in the collection, which, although it looks like a lump of clay, has survived to this day. Attention is drawn to the Egyptian book of the dead, unfolded on the entire wall, as well as printed on papyrus geographic map the world. A scroll listing all the rulers of Egypt, both historical and mythical characters, will also be interesting. In one of the halls there are statues of the pharaohs, goddesses of Isis, Sekhmet. Mummies will also be interesting, as well as the tools that ancient people used for mummification.

(Museo dell'Automobile) is located at Corso Unita 'd'Italia 40. It was opened in 1960 in a spacious three-story building on the embankment of the Po River.

The collection of the museum includes more than two hundred types of transport, several dozen engines. Among the exhibits there is a prototype of a car that was created according to drawings, a model of racing cars of the early XX century, a car, which was driven by Michael Schumacher. The inspection is accompanied by newsreel footage that tells about the era to which the car belongs.

Even women will not be left indifferent by a room with furniture, where everything is made of auto parts. In the museum you can watch documentaries about cars, telling about the importance of seat belts, lessons on crash tests.

A medieval village and fortress (Borgo e Rocca Medioevale) was built in Valentine's Park for the Italian Exhibition in 1884. Architects on the banks of the Po river have recreated the town of the 15th century.

The exposition is a village surrounded by walls and fortifications, inside of which there are churches, palaces, fountains, houses, artisan workshops. There is also a medieval square and street. The fortress contains prisons, barracks, a kitchen, dining rooms for servants and nobles, and much more. You can get to the village through the tower door along the drawbridge.

When the exhibition was over, the exhibition was supposed to be demolished. But the town became so popular among the townspeople and guests of the city that it was decided to keep the complex. A museum was opened here in 1942.

Museo pietro micca

Dungeon lovers can visit the Pietro Micca Museum in Turin, located on via Guicciardini, 7a. It was created in 1961 in memory of the miner Pietro Mikka, who died in 1706 when he blew up the city's underground galleries, which were invaded by the French besieging Turin.

You only need to go to the dungeons with a guide who will tell you about the events of those years: a simple inspection of the exhibits will not provide any special information. In addition, the transitions here are confusing, so you can get lost.

City walls

The medieval walls and gates in Turin have hardly survived. Only the Palace Gate (known as Porte Palatine) on Piazza Cesare Augusto was able to escape this fate. They appeared in the 1st century. n. e., and were the main gates of the city (Porta Principalis).

From Roman times, only a wall has survived, along the edges of which there are two polygonal towers. Their construction dates back to the XIII-XIV centuries. At the bottom of the wall there are four through arches: carts passed through the central ones, people passed through the outer ones. There are now windows at the top of the wall, previously there were covered balconies where the sentinels were.

In the XVIII century. Porte Palatine, like other walls of the city, was supposed to be demolished. But architect Antonio Bertola convinced the authorities to change their mind. This is why the gate located in the northern part of the historic center is the only surviving entrance to medieval Turin.

The university

The University of Turin (Università degli Studi di Torino) was founded in 1404 by the will of the rulers of the Savoy dynasty. It is one of the largest educational institutions in Italy. The main building is located at Via Giuseppe Verdi, 8.

At the time of Napoleon, the University of Turin was the second most important. When Rome became the capital of the united Italy, some of the professors left the educational institution. However, now the university is the fifth most prestigious in Italy, it consists of 12 faculties. Among the famous graduates of the institution are the writer Umberto Eco, as well as the Nobel Prize winners in the field of medicine Salvatore Luria, Renato Dulbecco, Rita Levi Montalcini.

Parks

Turin is a city in which there are a lot of parks, botanical gardens, squares, where visitors and guests of the city can relax in nature. The most famous of them are Valentina Park, where you can see the castle and visit the medieval village, as well as Perelina Park, the largest park in the city.

Valentino Park (Parco del Valentino) is located between the bridges Ponte Umberto Biancamano and Ponte principessa Isabella along the coast of the Po river.

The main entrance is at Corso Massimo D'Azeglio. Presumably, the park was named after St. Valentine, who married lovers against the orders of the ruler. His relics are kept in the nearby San Vito Temple.

Parco del Valentino appeared in Turin in 1630 near the palace of the same name. In the nineteenth century, it underwent major changes and acquired a romantic style. Alleys, groves were ordered, a lake appeared, which in cold weather transforms into a skating rink. In 1898, the 12 Months fountain was installed here. He is big pond, decorated in the Rococo style, around the edges of which there are twelve statues that symbolize the months of the year.

Previously, Parco del Valentino often held international exhibitions, after one of which a medieval village and fortress (Borgo e Rocca Medioevale) remained here. Then a flower alley, an alpine slide, and a rose garden appeared in the park.

In the park, to the left of Valentin's castle, is the University Botanical Garden (Orto Botanico dell'Università di Torino). Many valuable flowers and trees grow here, and there is also a scientific library. In it you can see a herbarium, where 700 thousand species of plants are collected, as well as paintings by masters of the 18th-19th centuries. with the image of flora.

The Pellerina Park (Parco della Pellerina) is the largest park in the city: its area is 83.7 hectares. It is located far from the center, on the western outskirts. The Dora Riparia river flows through the park, the course of which within the park has been changed to give it the desired shape.

The park is officially called Parco Carrara: it was named after Mario Carrara, a university professor who refused to swear an oath to the Nazis. But the name did not catch on: the Turin people stubbornly call him Pelerina. That was the name of the nearby cheese dairy.

They began to equip the park in the 30s. last century. During the war, work was suspended, and continued after its end.

The park acquired its present appearance in the 80s. There is a swimming pool, tennis courts, football fields, rollerblading and bicycle paths. Visitors' attention is attracted by two artificial lakes, where swans, ducks and coots live.

Park Europe

Those wishing to wander the Turin hills can relax in the Parco Europa, the main entrance to which is located on the Piazza Freguglia. This is a very beautiful, well-groomed place with a magnificent view of the city. Also interesting will be the botanical garden, where many interesting plants grow. I used to be in the park cable car, but in the last century it was damaged, and it was decided not to restore it.

How to get there

Sixteen kilometers from the city, near the Caselle Torinese commune, is the Turin International Airport "Caselle". Every day it sends and receives about 400 flights to 33 destinations, of which 18 are international. From Moscow direct flight no, you need to get there by transfers, for example, via Prague.

You can get from the airport to the city by bus, by train or by train (the Dora railway station is located nearby). The journey takes about twenty minutes.

Turin's main train station, Torino Porta Nuova, is located in the southern part of the city center, at Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, 58. This is very convenient for tourists who come here for a day of sightseeing. The station accepts trains from many regions of Italy, as well as from neighboring countries.

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Turin's central bus station is located near the main station. Buses come here from all over Italy, neighboring and distant countries(Poland, Ukraine, Czech Republic).

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Palazzo Reale - Royal Palace

GPS coordinates: 45 ° 04 "23" "N, 7 ° 41" 10 "" WD

Address: Piazzetta Reale, 1, 10122 Torino

The Royal Palace is the main residence of the Savoyard rulers in Turin. Currently, it is a museum under the protection of UNESCO. Also in the building of the palace there is a picture Sabauda Gallery... Located in the city center in front of Piazzetta Reale, adjacent to Piazza Castello on the north side, next to.

The need for a Royal Palace in Turin arose at the end of the 16th century, when the city became the capital of Savoy. The project was developed by the court architect Ascanio Vitozzi. After his death, Carlo di Castellamonte took over the construction work. In 1658 the building of the new palace was completed. Then in 1668-1694. the Chapel of the Holy Shroud was erected, connecting the Royal Palace with.

The palace served as the main recurrence of the Savoy dynasty for almost two centuries, until it lost its significance in 1865, when the capital of the unified Italy was moved to. After that, the Turin Palace remained a secondary residence of the king. Then it was taken under the protection of UNESCO as an architectural and historical monument and turned into a museum.

The main facade of the Royal Palace, facing south, is made in the Baroque style and has a symmetrical shape with two pavilions on the sides. Its length is more than 105 m. - along the entire width of the square, its height is about 30 m. Before the entrance to the 19th century. the statues of the dioscuri Castor and Pollux were installed, which harmoniously blended into the architectural ensemble.

The interiors of the palace are made mainly in the Baroque and Rococo styles, as well as in the neoclassical style. It should be noted, first of all, the main staircase, built by the famous Italian late Baroque architect Filippo Juvarra in 1713. Among the premises, the most notable are the luxurious apartments of the Prince of Piedmont and the Duke of Aosta, located on the second floor. In addition to decoration and decor, furniture and other interior items that recreate the original setting are presented here.

Behind the main building of the palace on the north side of it is the so-called classical wing, which now houses Turin Art Gallery Sabauda (Gallery of Savoy)... Its collection was collected by the monarchs of the Savoy dynasty and in 1832 was opened for public viewing in. In 1865 she was transferred to the Palace of the Academy of Sciences, which she shared with her for a long time, until she moved here in 2012.

The basis of the exhibition at the Galleria Sabauda is made up of Italian artists of various schools and eras. Among them are Andrea Mantegna ("Madonna and Child with Saints" - 1500), Paolo Veronese ("Venus and Mars with Cupid"), Guido Reni and others. Old Dutch masters such as Jan van Eyck (" The Stigmata of St. Francis "), Anthony van Dyck, Rogier van der Weyden, Hans Memling.

Behind the Royal Palace are Royal Gardens of Turin, smashed by the famous French landscape architect André Le Nôtre at the end of the 17th century. The park is designed in a regular style and is decorated with fountains, sculptures and other architectural elements.

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Palazzo Reale - Royal Palace of Turin, historic residence Dynasty of Savoy. It was built in the 16th century and later, in the 17th century, modernized by order of Princess Cristina Maria with the participation of the renowned Baroque architect Filippo Juvarra. The palace complex also includes the Palazzo Chiablese and the chapel that houses the famous Shroud of Turin. In 1946, Palazzo Reale became the property of the state and was turned into a museum. In 1997, the building was included in the list of objects of the World Cultural heritage UNESCO along with 13 other residences of the Savoyard dynasty.

In 1645, Princess Cristina Maria commissioned the architect Filippo Juvarra to build a palace, which she wanted to turn into a new royal residence. For this, the site was chosen, which already stood the Episcopal Palace, erected in the middle of the 16th century during the reign of Duke Emmanuel Filiberto. The building was located in an open, sunny place, moreover, it stood not far from other buildings in which the courtyard was assembled. From the windows of the Episcopal Palace, the Duke could see both entrances to Turin - the gates of Porta Palatina and Porta Pretoria. Opposite the palace stood the Palazzo Vecchio and Palazzo di San Giovanni, sometimes disparagingly called Pasta con Tonino ("Pasta with tuna") because of their architecture, later demolished for the construction of Palazzo Ducale.

In general, the Bishop's Palace was the seat of power and was significantly expanded over time to accommodate the growing ducal collection of art, hunting trophies, furniture and marble. Emmanuel Filiberto died in 1580, and the palace passed to his son, Karl Emmanuel. In honor of the wedding of their daughters, Margaret and Isabella, in 1608 a portico was added to the building, crowned with an open gallery. And in 1630, Victor Amadeus I, who married the French princess Christine Maria, became the heir to the duke. It was she who set the tone for the royal court during the reign of her husband. On her initiative, the courtyard moved from the Palazzo Ducale in Turin to the castle of Castello del Valentino, which at that time was located on the outskirts of the city. Many of the children of Victor Amadeus I and Christina Maria were born there. In 1637, after the death of the duke, Christina Maria inherited the reign in the interests of two young sons.

During the reign of Victor Amadeus II, the Daniel Gallery was built in Palazzo Reale, named after the artist Daniel Seiter, who created the sumptuous wall paintings. Also, by order of the Duke, a number of summer apartments and winter apartments were built, overlooking the garden. In 1668-1694, a small chapel became part of the Palazzo Reale, which today houses the main religious shrine of the Orthodox world, the Shroud of Turin.

In 1946, Palazzo Reale was declared the property of the Italian Republic and turned into the Museum of the Savoy Dynasty. Its rooms are decorated with rich tapestries and collections of Chinese and Japanese vases. The royal arsenal of weapons kept in the palace is a collection of weapons, including rare examples from the 16th and 17th centuries. Another attraction of the palace is the Scala delle Forbici, a staircase designed by Juvarra. And on the gate you can see the image of the golden Medusa - a symbol that protects against the penetration of spies.