Piedmont's Versailles

The Venaria Reale Palace, just outside Turin in northern Italy, was Carlo Emanuelle II's answer to Versailles, building commenced in 1658 and the court's greatest architects, Amedeo di Castellamonte, Garove, Juvarra, and Alfieri all took part at various times in the construction. Snubbed by Napoléon and ravaged by French revolutionary soldiers in the 18th century it became a barracks and gradually fell into disrepair.

Today, after a century of neglect and a decade of enormous restoration effort, the palace and gardens are open again to the public. The Venaria complex, one of the largest royal residences in the world, covers nearly a million square metres; there are 5,000 square meters of frescoes and decorations, 80 hectares of gardens, 3,000 hectares of parkland surrounded by 35 km of walls. Truly astonishing statistics.

The Reggia (or palace) itself displays some of the best artwork from the Savoy collections including many beautifully restored frescoes. The Great Gallery and Hall of Diana are just two of the must-sees. The gardens that surround the palace have been skillfully recreated by architects and landscapers who have taken into consideration the original plans but added a contemporary dimension that creates the conception of infinity.

Open: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday 09:00 to 16.30, Saturday 09:00 to 22:00, Sunday 09:00 to 19:00.
Closed : Mondays (except Holidays) and December 25th. On January 1st the opening time is 11:00.

How to get there
La Venaria Reale (Royal Palace of Venaria) is located about 8 km northwest of Turin's city centre.
By Bus: Take bus 11 or 72 from the centre of Turin or the Venaria Express shuttle bus from Porta Nuova or Porta Susa railway stations.
By Train: Take the Torino-Ciriè-Lanzo line and leave the train at the Sandro Pertini stop.
By Car: Turin Northern Ring Road (Tangenziale Nord), exit: Venaria or Savonera/Venaria and follow directions for "La Venaria Reale - Reggia e Giardini".