Palace Trucchi di Levaldigi, Turin
Palace Trucchi di Levaldigi is not just an old aristocratic mansion. Against the backdrop of many of its contemporaries, this building stands out with its architecture. But it is famous because of another, mystical component. The palace is surrounded with secrets and legends, like a Christmas tree with toys. They attract people that love esoterics and ordinary tourists.
History and architecture
The construction started in 1673 by order of the Minister of Finance of the Duchy of Savoy – Count Giovanni Battista Trucchi di Levaldigi. The project was designed and implemented by the famous architect Amedeo di Castellamonte. The works were completed in 1677. On May 15, 1738 with the permission of King Carlo Emanuele III a factory that produces Tarot cards was opened on the first floor of the palace. At the end of the 18th century, the mansion was taken over by the Princess Marianna Carolina di Savoia. And since 1939 it is the headquarters of the Banca Nazionale del Lavoro.
The three-storey building was made in the Baroque style, but with some interesting nuances. The palace is located on the corner of the streets, and its façade has a diagonal cut, while being completely symmetrical. It is rather simple and strict building, underlined by a multitude of lines under windows and triangular pediments above them. Over time, the interior has undergone many changes in order to use the premises as a financial institution. Nevertheless, the beautiful atrium, rooms and halls used for dancing balls, have been preserved. The highlight of the building is its entrance. On both sides of the door there are 4 columns of white marble, with straight rows of rings.
Gate of the devil and the legend of the palace
The huge carved door is not unjustly called "Portone del Diavolo". It was made on order of the Count in 1675 in Paris. It has many ornaments in the form of carved flowers, fruits, animals and various figures. But the name was given to it because an impressive door knocker made of bronze. It is made in the form of a head of a horned demon, with two snakes that creep out of its mouth. This gave rise to a number of legends.
- Rumor has it that the door appeared on a dark night when the sorcerer summoned the devil. But the latter was displeased with such a turn of events and with anger locked the unlucky magician in the door knocker. The fact that in the past the building had number 15, which in cards of the Tarot corresponds to Satan adds oil to the fire.
- Another legend dates back to 1790. Then, one of the huge balls, with about 4000 guests was held in the palace. The party lasted for the third day, and one of the ballerinas, Emma Cochet, fell in the middle of the dance dead. The killer, the murder weapon and the cause of death were never established. That same evening, a storm arose on Turin, and through the broken window the wind blew out all the candles. And the attendees saw the ghost of a dancer, who had lived in the building for a long time after.
- The third known legend dates back to 1817, when Turin was occupied by Napoleonic troops. Then Major Melchiorre Du Perril went to the palace for important papers, and nobody saw him again. The coachman, who was waiting with the carriage, claimed that the officer had never come out. And 20 years later, during the repair, workers found a skeleton with rags in the wall, similar to the French uniform.
How to get there
Palace Trucchi di Levaldigi is located in the historical center of Turin, on Via XX Settembre, and it is not a legend, but the exact fact. Together with the famous Piazza Statuto, it is included in the tour of Magical Turin. Square San Carlo and Solferino are situated next to the mansion, and several other old mansions are on the nearby streets. On the same street, just behind the building, there is a public transport stop Arcivescovado. It can be reached by tram lines 4, 15, and buses № 11, 55, 57, 58, 92, S04, STAR1.
