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Valentino Castle, Turin

Valentino Castle, Turin

Valentino Castle (Castello del Valentino) in Turin is one of the most beautiful buildings of the city, and one of the most famous sights of the region. Magnificent old mansion rises in the middle of the park with the same name on the river bank. Historically, it became one of the residences of the ruling house of Savoy. And for more than 20 years the castle has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

History of the Valentino Castle

The exact date of construction of the structure and its architect are unknown. For the first time the castle with its present name is mentioned in 1275. The well-documented history of this estate begins in 1564. After the transfer of the capital of Savoy to Turin, Duke Emanuele Filiberto bought the castle from nobleman Renato Birago. Then it was an elegant villa on the banks of the Po River. In 1575-1578, the reconstruction was carried out for the new owner. But a more massive alteration began in 1620 on the orders of the wife of Vittorio Amedeo I – Cristina. The project was headed by Carlo di Castellamonte, and after his death – by his son Amedeo di Castellamonte, who became the chief architect of the monarch's house. As a result, a square was created in front of the converted castle, which was rebuilt according to the French pavilion scheme, adding two symmetrical wings. The construction was completed in 1660.

The occupation of Turin by Napoleon in the early 19th century brought changes: the castle housed the Veterinary School, and then the Royal Artillery Corps. In 1850 the building was returned to state ownership. In 1859, it housed the Royal School for Engineers. After that, until the end of the 19th century, a number of reconstructions and buildings of new premises were carried out here. In 1900 the first exhibition of the famous Turin Auto Show took place in the castle. In 1906, the school was transformed into the architectural faculty of the University of Turin, located in the castle rooms until now. In 1997, the castle became part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Architecture and interior of the castle

The most beautiful Valentino Park, created by order of Vittorio Amedeo II in 1713 is situated around the castle. The castle occupies a central place in it. In front of it, there is a beautiful square with flower beds. The mansion itself has the shape of a horseshoe with four rectangular towers on the corners of the building. Its wide courtyard is paved with marble slabs with beautiful ornaments. On the façade, there is a huge coat of arms of the royal house of Savoy. After several modifications, the castle acquired an interesting feature. Its frontal part is made in the typical French style "transalpino" with air pavilions. But the side facing the river is strikingly different and has a characteristic Baroque look, prevailing throughout Turin. The bright contrast makes the castle even more attractive.

Interior

The building has 3 floors. On the first, there was the office space and servants' rooms, as well as a beautiful hunting hall, a chapel in the north-west pavilion and an atrium. The latter, supported by columns, has many frescoes and bas-reliefs of the 17th century. The third floor is an attic, towering over the main castle building in several places. The roof of the castle is also a work of art, it is made in the same pavilion French style as the main façade. The main, or noble floor is impressive. There are many luxurious halls and rooms, among which there are:

  • Hall of honor. It impresses with its frescoes of the 17th century. They are amazing, executed in such a way that it gives the impression of a completely different space and time. From it you can get into the duchess's rooms and the room of the heir.
  • Hall of Zodiac. The decorations in the form of gilded frames, bas-reliefs and frescoes are its highlights. In the central part of the ceiling there is a fresco with scenes from Ovid's work "Metamorphosis". Among the reliefs there are images of the zodiac signs and the spouses of the royal dynasty. In the corners there are figures of deities from ancient mythology, as well as illustrations of the spring and autumn equinox, the winter and summer solstices.
  • Hercules' room. A completely white room, with many ornaments and bas-reliefs depicting all the exploits of the mythological hero.
  • Vallantino's room. Its ceiling is adorned with a painting depicting Flora collecting flowers, surrounded by Apollo, Chiron the centaur, muses and children. But the Duchess Christina is painted instead of Flora. The picture is framed by rich gilded reliefs.

On the main floor there are also green, pink and military room, a room of lilies and a hunting hall. All of them are decorated with rich ornaments, frescoes and bas-reliefs. Now in the castle, in addition to the architectural faculty, there are 2 libraries and departments of the City Hall.

Interesting facts

There are three versions of the origin of the name.

  1. Even in Roman times there was a district called Vallantinum. Most likely, it gave the name to the castle itself, and to a small stream that flows now underground.
  2. The second one assumes that the owner of the castle, the Frenchman – Renato Birago, had a wife, Valentina, in honor of whom he named the estate.
  3. The third, more romantic, version refers to a church located once near the castle, bearing the name of St. Valentine, the patron saint of all lovers.

Thanks to the latter option, the castle became a favorite visiting place for couples, locals and tourists. A special influx of the latter can be observed here on February 14, the day of St. Valentine. Today, various events and exhibitions are held regularly in the building.

How to get there

The castle is located on the banks of the Po River, in the San Salvario area, on Viale Mattioli street, 39. There are many monuments, beautiful fountains, among which the Fountain of the Twelve Month, as well as a medieval village in the park around the castle. Botanical Garden is situated in the former garden of the castle, and near the southern end of the park – the Museum of Anatomy. Near the palace there is a tram stop Valentino of the routes 9, 16CS, 16CD. In 10 minutes there is a metro station Marconi and the bus stop with the same name of routes 1, 18, 24, 35, 67, 93 /, 101, S18.

Opening hours: every day from 10:00 to 19:45. Holidays are days-off. Excursions are held on the first and third Saturday of the month, at 10:00 and 11:30, but you have to pre-book it. For groups of more than 15 people, it is possible to conduct excursions in English. Phone number: (+39) 011 0906655.

Admission: you can book a ticket by making a deposit of 3.5 euros. When visiting, you will get it back. Data of April 2018.

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