Venaria Reale
Welcome to the Royal Palace of Venaria!
Hello everyone! Are you ready to discover the magnificence of the Royal Palace of Venaria? We welcome you with enthusiasm to one of UNESCO's heritage sites since 1997, located at the foot of the Lanzo Valleys. It was designed by Duke Carlo Emanuele II of Savoy as a base for hunting expeditions in the hilly moorland of Turin.
Venaria Reale is an independent municipality in the province of Turin, where regal tourists and ordinary citizens who love history and art alike can enjoy an atmosphere of rich culture. The Latin name of the palace, "Venatio Regia," derives from the term "hunting palace."
The history of the palace
The palace was inspired by the example of Mirafiori Castle (or "Miraflores"), where Caterina Michela d'Asburgo loved to spend her time. Carlo Emanuele II purchased the two villages of Altessano Superiore and Inferiore from the Birago family, who had established important plantations here.
Construction began in 1658 with Amedeo di Castellamonte and Michelangelo Garove, and by 1675 the village of Venaria and the Palace were largely completed, with the Diana Palace as the heart of the structure. However, the work did not stop, and in 1693 the palace was renovated upon orders from Vittorio Amedeo II of Savoy after the French destroyed some of the buildings.
In 1706, the French took up residence in the Siege of Turin, damaging many of the structures. Vittorio Amedeo II then entrusted the project to Filippo Juvarra, who built structures such as the stables and the Church of Sant'Uberto.
Tourist influx
The Royal Palace of Venaria Reale is immensely popular, with 1,048,834 visitors registered in 2018. In 2017, the Michelin Guide awarded the Royal Palace of Venaria with its third "star" ten years after the tourist site's inauguration. In 2019, the garden of the palace was named the most beautiful public park in Italy.
What to see
Venaria Reale is an enchanted place, surrounded by nature, with the vast Gran Paese teeming with game that stretches for a hundred kilometers to the Alpine mountains. Among the many things to see, the Diana Palace, the main residence of the palace, is its pulsating heart. The beautiful garden of the palace, completed by Felice Garella in 1759, is a triumphant showcase of fountains and statues. The Church of Sant'Uberto and the Grand Gallery, with the majestic ceiling decorated by Giovanni Battista Crosato, represent other treasure chests of art.
Visiting the palace
The Royal Palace of Venaria Reale is usually open from Tuesday to Sunday in the morning. The cost of tickets varies depending on age and the planned visit. There are many options for organizing your visit, such as guided tours or self-guided tours, which include a multimedia tool that will guide you through all the steps.
Conclusion
We are happy to have shared with you the beauty of the Royal Palace of Venaria Reale, one of the most beautiful heritage sites in Piedmont. Come visit us, breathe the magic of the past, admire the art and culture of a bygone era, and enjoy the enchanted garden of the palace. We await you with open arms!
