Palace Saluzzo Paesana, Turin
Palace Saluzzo Paesana occupies a whole block in the center of Turin. This truly huge complex amazes imagination with its wealth and luxury. It is one of the biggest in the city, along with the Royal Palace and Palazzo Madama. And this is easily explained by the fact that the structure was to compete with the residence of the kings of Savoy.
History
At the beginning of the 18th century, the palace was commissioned by a wealthy noble aristocrat, Senator and Count Baldassarre Saluzzo di Paesana. A grandiose project was carried out by the architect Gian Giacomo Plantery, the works had lasted for 7 years, from 1715 to 1722. The main building was called Palazzo Grande. A little later the northern wing, the so-called Casino, was completed. The servants lived here and there were auxiliary rooms in this wing. Some parts of the mansion were rented by less noble aristocrats. During the occupation of Turin by Napoleon's troops, a French garrison was quartered in the palazzo. After the death of the last representative of the main branch of the family, in 1949, the building was transfered to the family of Del Carretto di Torre Bormida. As a result, a condominium appeared later. In 1990-1995, the palace survived a grandiose restoration. And since 2007, the first floor is reserved for various kinds of events.
Architecture of the palace and present state
The Palazzo was built in the typical Baroque style of the time. The restored building, namely the Saluzzo Padronale part, was allocated for exhibitions, conferences, balls and various celebrations. The façade of the palace, facing the street and the square, is quite simple and strict. The contrast is especially evident when the entrance portal offers a view of the huge courtyard. A large space is visually enlarged by parallel porticos and galleries. The façade of the courtyard is decorated with many beautiful stucco moldings, frames, bas-reliefs and ornaments. Two ladders lead to the building from here: the smaller one to the upper floors, and the larger one to the first.
From the lobby you can get to the atrium, the former Countess's bedroom. In it the floor is decorated with a lot of drawings, and the walls are adorned with the frescoes of Giudizio di Paride. Several smaller rooms for maidservants are next to it. The rooms of women and the owner of the palace are divided by the Hall of Busts, in which, besides the busts of the Paesana family, there are beautiful murals. Camera di Parata was the main parlour of the family, which has not changed for centuries. It impresses with its luxury: mirrors, fireplace, inlaid corner cabinets, doors, gilded lintels and red velvet. The main masterpieces are 3 paintings by the famous artist Domenico Guidobono. The council hall and several private rooms of Count Baldassarre Saluzzo complete the picture.
How to get there
The palace is located in the center of Turin, on Via della Consolata, 1bis, near Piazza Savoia, it is the heart of the historic part of the city. Nearby, on the square, there is the Museum of School, next to it – the Holy Shroud Museum and the Barolo Palace. Not far from the palazzo there is a Garibaldi stop. You can reach it by buses № 52, 67, W60.
To clarify the details of the visit to the palace, the time frames of exhibitions or to arrange an event, you can call (+39) 347 0103021.
